Classification societies join forces to form Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium

Collaboration marks a significant milestone in the yacht industry's journey towards a safer and more sustainable future.

Leading global classification societies DNV, Lloyd's Register (LR), RINA, Bureau Veritas (BV) and ABS, announce the establishment of the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024.

The new consortium is committed to driving forward the safety and environmental performance of yachts, promoting and advising on achieving the best practices in the industry.

The yacht sector has a considerable need for a unified consortium of class societies, as yachts are not covered by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in the same way other vessels are.

The consortium aims to focus on safety and environmentally conscious behavior of commercial and pleasure yachts of over 24 meters in length. The consortium will utilize the collective expertise of its members to support the yachting industry tackling challenges during yacht design and operation by promoting best practices in safety and sustainability, to advising on industry standards and fostering collaboration.

By leveraging the collective expertise and experience of LR, RINA, DNV and BV, the consortium will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of yacht safety and environmental performance through increased collaboration.

The group will appoint a Chair and Vice Chair that will serve a term of two years rotating through the YSEC members.  The consortium is already collaborating on various environmental indices and guidelines for tonnage calculations and load line assignment. 

Martin Richter, Ship Type Expert Yachts, DNV Maritime, said: "Collaborating on initiatives that promote safety and protect the environment is crucial to achieving the highest industry standards. We are pleased to contribute our expertise as one of the founding members of the YSEC. We believe that a unified approach is essential for providing greater clarity and consistency within the yachting industry."

Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director, Lloyd’s Register, said: "LR is proud to work with our class peers to establish the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium. The collaboration is a shared vision that will enable the industry to address safety and environmental challenges more effectively. By working together, we can set new benchmarks and ensure best practice across the industry."

Fiorenzo Spadoni, North Europe Marine Senior Director at RINA, said: “The establishment of the YSEC marks a pivotal milestone for the superyacht industry. Promoting safety at sea and protecting the environment are at the heart of our daily operations. These must not be areas of potential misalignment among key stakeholders. A collaborative approach, where the sum is greater than the individual contributions, is the way forward. We are proud to be part of the initial group that has championed the inception of this consortium and remain optimistic about the future of the industry.”

Andreas Ullrich, Global Market Leader - Passenger Ships & Ferries at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “BV Marine & Offshore is committed to advancing safety and sustainability in the yacht industry through our technical expertise, innovative notations, and global network. Our collaboration in this consortium will drive further progress in sector standards.” 

Dubravka Zaja, Shiptype Manager Yachts (The Netherlands) at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, added: “By leveraging the combined strengths, we are well-positioned to advise on operational practices and contribute to a more sustainable maritime future.”

Daniele Bottino, ABS Manager, Regional Business Development, said: “We have been working on this project for more than a year, so it is great to see it launched and begin its important work.  By collaborating with specialists from across the industry we can work together to develop innovative and practical solutions to yachts’ sustainability challenges with a focus on advancing safety.”