Boat Building

While it may seem obvious that we are still a long way from leaving the fossil fuel era behind us, it’s only natural to ask ourselves about the overall impact of our sea travel. According to a French study by Ademe (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency), 2.9% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the maritime sector, 87% of which relate to the commercial maritime transport of goods and passengers. To put these figures into perspective, the yachting sector accounts for less than a tenth of these maritime emissions, or a tiny 0.03% of total pollution... While such a low figure could lead to a less enthusiastic approach, many shipyards are reacting by offering more environmentally-friendly boats. We regularly discuss multihulls equipped with electric motors - even though these models currently account for only 2 to 3% of sales. That’s a figure that also needs to be put into perspective when considering the automotive industry: 18% of vehicles sold are now electric!
The aim is to replace the fossil fuel used for propulsion and life on board with green energy. Looking at manufacturing, this comes down to two main factors: the materials used in the construction (resin, fiber, wood, fabric, metals, foam) and all the other energy consumption generated by the construction itself.

Customers are now more aware of environmental issues

Some sales managers say that while interest in all the new green technologies is evident at boat shows and dealerships, these green options are still not doing the business when it comes to signing orders. There are still uncertainties about the autonomy of electric propulsion, and there are questions about the reliability of new construction materials. Without the support of buyers, nothing is possible. Despite the legal ultimatums to reduce emissions, the rise in energy prices, the scarcity of certain raw materials and shortages of many other products all justifying the need for change, it is the benefits in terms of enjoyment, reliability, savings and overall coherence that will ultimately convince sailors. The marine industry, aware of the need to acquire the expertise required to bring reality and new technologies closer together, has organized itself to harmonize a methodology and tools aimed at measuring the impact of a boat’s life cycle (LCA) and in particular, recreational boating. Under the aegis of the European Boating Industry (EBI), 17 leading manufacturers have joined forces to develop a scientific calculation standard to guide this survey for boats under 24 meters/80 feet in length. This LCA will be based on a shared methodology, a database and an assessment tool to enable all manufacturers, from major shipyards to small and medium-sized businesses, to commit to eco-design and to deliver the environmental transition that is needed in the boating industry.

Multihulls: the frontrunners in eco-design

While the marine industry as a whole is lagging far behind the automotive ...