IORMA LUXURY UPDATE REPORT FROM THE MONACO YACHT SHOW
Pandora Mather-Lees
Luxury Director
IORMA
February 2026
Introduction
Pandora Mather-Lees, Luxury Director at IORMA, reports on the yachting industry. The Monaco Yacht Show is the key event of the year for the superyacht industry and delegates and exhibitors are already gearing up as we head into 2026 to ensure they are active and visible at the 2026 show.
In particular for IORMA here, we are reporting on the latest news from the last “MYS” with a focus highlighting emerging technologies and the direction of modern yachting, aligned with IORMA’s exploration of how future consumers will access and interact with luxury markets.
Of course at the show the spirit embodies luxury, however, business over the four hectic days trickles through the entire maritime industry at every level. For every UHNW owner of the most fabulous yachts in the world there are thousands of marine industry suppliers, inter-reliant for procurement, plus their employees, business professionals of every type and of course governments, tourist agencies, associations and other bodies connected to seafaring.
The future of eco-conscious yacht design and environmental impact
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, owners are keen to explore the latest in sustainable yacht innovation and gain valuable insights into the pioneering efforts that are driving this change – all to be discovered at the Monaco Yacht Show.
At the end of September, sustainability took centre stage as industry leaders showcased groundbreaking green technologies and ecologically 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.
Spotlight Audience Presentations
The 2025 Monaco Yacht Show offered a positive look at clean marine power with technology that feels ready for real world cruising rather than distant research. Ampros outlined modular electric propulsion that can be tailored to different hulls and cruising profiles delivering near silent running across bays and anchorages. Voith drew strong interest with its electric Voith Schneider Propeller which gives fingertip control during berthing while removing vibration and noise that have long been part of manoeuvring. Propulsion House focused on practical hybrid packages that reduce fuel burn on passage and allow quiet hotel loads at anchor. Xeamos presented after treatment systems designed for heavy duty yacht use already fitted to hundreds of vessels with hardware that meets strict emission rules. Rolls Royce showed a lightweight catalytic set up that can cut nitrogen oxide by up to eighty five percent a notable option for refits where space and weight are tight.
Energy and fuel advances are a keen area of interest. Deasyl shared progress in next generation liquid fuel that can cut carbon emissions by more than 90% while offering drop in compatibility. This means that owners and captains do not face complex changeovers. Ranieri Tonissi introduced a dual fuel MAN engine concept that blends diesel and lower impact gas to improve efficiency on long range passages. At the dock ASEA Power Systems demonstrated converters that let yachts plug into shore power in ports worldwide which allows generators to stay off overnight and brings a calmer guest experience. SKF’s RecondOil Box presented a fascinating explanation of “circular oil” where the same lubricant can be cleaned and reused many times, thus supporting lower waste and steady performance through long seasons.
MYS Direction: Creatively Driving Innovation and Sustainability
The directors of Monaco Yacht show are the principal driver of the increasing emphasis on environmentally conscious technology . This is to enable their visitors to gain knowledge, but also because 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 welcome the entire package of best in class across the board.
To emphasise this in a creative manner, a photographic exhibition featuring Guillaume Plisson’s work at Port Hercule offered an intimate, perhaps emotional perspective on the world of yachting. Complementing the event’s focus on innovation Plisson’s photographs provided a personal, artistic interpretation that also revealed the craft and human stories behind the industry. Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show, highlights the importance of this approach:
“Tribute to Yachting reflects our ambition to open the Monaco Yacht Show to new forms of expression. In recent years, we have showcased the evolution of yachting – its sustainable innovations, its design and its lifestyle – but it was equally essential to offer a more personal interpretation of this universe. Through our collaboration with Guillaume Plisson, we’ve created an artistic experience that reconnects visitors with the primary emotion that yachting evokes: wonder.”
Another example was the show’s inaugural “Blue Wake™ Awards 2025 announced at Le Méridien Beach Plaza. The programme recognised 4 companies and one superyacht for delivering credible, high‑impact sustainable solutions across design, engineering and the on‑board experience, whilst underscoring environmental progress. Submissions, rigorously assessed using data‑driven criteria, also sought third‑party verification, to ensure that innovative and impactful initiatives were shortlisted. Sponsored by Siemens Energy and The Blue Water Foundation, the ultimate winners were Tykun, Tai Ping, Deasyl, Sanlorenzo, and the catamaran “Reduce” by Silver Yachts, which received the Special Jury Award.
As we move into 2026 and anticipate this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, we look forward to reporting again on how such initiatives highlight the superyacht sector’s commitment to a sustainable future, as it strives to meet global emission reduction goals as well as surpassing itself with the best design and comfort the luxury sector can offer.