IORMA REPORT OF MONACO YACHT SHOW
Pandora Mather-Lees
Luxury Director, IORMA
April 2025
Pandora Mather-Lees, Luxury Director at IORMA, attended the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show to explore the latest in sustainable yacht innovation. As the industry embraces greener technologies, we explored key projects and developments that are setting new standards for eco-conscious yacht design.
With the superyacht industry increasingly focused on reducing its environmental impact, valuable insights into the pioneering efforts that are driving this change were communicated.
At the show, sustainability took centre stage as industry leaders showcased groundbreaking green technologies and environmentally conscious yacht designs. With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, shipyards and designers are pioneering alternative energy sources like hydrogen and methanol, setting a new standard for eco-friendly cruising. Among the highlights was the global debut of San Lorenzo’s Almax, a superyacht that uses a revolutionary system to convert green methanol into hydrogen for carbon-neutral energy. We also witnessed Feadship’s Project 821 which is the first superyacht powered entirely by hydrogen. Sunreef Yachts, known for integrating advanced solar panels and zero-emission technology into its Eco series featured the latest in environmental considerations. Visitors were able to attend talks on sustainable yacht design at the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub. Collaborations such as the 69-meter Project Zero by Vitters Shipyard and Dykstra Naval Architects, which aims for a fossil-fuel-free future, emphasized the growing movement toward open-source research to accelerate green advancements across the industry. Then there was Italian yacht builder Benetti, here strengthening its commitment to sustainable yachting with eight hybrid units in build across its B.Yond and B.Now lines. At a press conference at the Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo the Benetti team shared developments with international media and brokers. CEO Marco Valle highlighted the company’s strong performance in 2023/2024, reporting €1.3 billion in revenue and a €2.6 billion order backlog, setting the stage for 15% projected growth in the coming season. This expansion is supported by a €160 million investment plan spanning 2025–2027.
One cannot, however, leave this report without mentioning a star of the show, the Lurssen build 193m superyacht Kismet, subsequently renamed Whisper. Luxurious throughout and one of the largest vessels in international waters, the entire experience is sumptuous, particularly the cinema with underwater window and spa with the latest cryotherapy technology. As for technology in build, Kismet was designed for ultimate comfort and performance. This is a custom displacement yacht equipped with at-anchor stabilizers, ensuring a smooth experience both at rest and in rough waters. Kismet also heralds a dynamic positioning system which enhances precision and control. Cruising at 14 knots, with a top speed of 17 knots and an impressive 6,000nm range from her 220,000l fuel tanks, she embraces the best in technology in her ability to blend power with luxury.
The directors of Monaco Yacht show have placed increasing emphasis on environmentally conscious technology as the industry comes under increasing scrutiny from the rest of the world. They are also keen to highlight the new technology which of course, once developed and funded by owners for their own vessels, can be deployed to benefit other industries. It seems from speaking to yachting professionals that owners tend to fall into two categories, those who actively demand efficiency and the most ecological solution as a priority, then others who put design and comfort amenities first but require the entire package of best in class across the board.
These initiatives highlight the superyacht sector’s commitment to a sustainable future, as it strives to meet global emission reduction goals.