The MYSEA team caught up with AMER Yacht’s CEO and Head of Sustainability – Ms. Barbara Amerio – in Sanremo last week, to discuss the state of play when it comes to sustainability in the yachting industry. We were thrilled to learn of their mission to become a leader in sustainability over the coming years and how they plan to inspire the next generation of yachting professionals and owners to go green.
AMER Yachts was the brainchild of the Amerio family, a passionate group of maritime enthusiasts, and was launched by the PERMARE Group in 1973, a passionate group of maritime enthusiasts. The brand has innovation at its core, which today sees a focus on efficiency and sustainability, whilst maintaining the desirability that yachting is known for. The Italian shipyard is committed to doing business whilst respecting people and the environment, setting the focus on an empathetic, authentic and informal approach, building long lasting relationships with stakeholders and enhancing the industry for new generations.
Barbara explained that AMER yachts is exploring new materials, products and opportunities to design and build their yachts in a more conscious way, from design to completion. This includes new lighter, sustainable insulation materials, the usage of cork instead of teak and alternative hull design options that increase energy efficiency, including the introduction of solar panels, a reduction of engine size and four instead of two engines which can be alternated between to reduce consumption. All this new and exciting innovation is due to be seen in the shipyard’s latest creation, the AMER steel 41m Explorer yacht.
The delivery of the new Amer Steel 41m Explorer yacht is scheduled for 2025 and will mirror the design of Luiz De Basto’s interior and exterior. Design, naval architecture and executive engineering will be handled by Optima Design. She will accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms. The propulsion system is currently set to make use of state-of-the-art ICE Volvo Penta engines that have been configured to significantly reduce consumption and emissions, whilst minimising noise pollution, guaranteeing comfort onboard. Whilst underway, the Amer 41m Explorer yacht will cruise at 12 knots and be able to reach a top speed of 15 knots. At 11 knots, she is set to achieve a 4,500 nm range.
Aside from identifying and incorporating sustainable solutions into their yachts, AMER focuses on collaboration too, and shares information transparently to gain an advantage on best practices. The best example of this is the ‘Green Assistant’ project, noted Barbara, which was developed by AMER Yachts with SIMRAD Yachting. The ‘Green Assistant’ uses an electronic platform to create integrated solutions that help the captain navigate and act in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way possible. This collaboration between the shipyard and a technology company shows how important working together can be to drive the paradigm shift of sustainability in yachting and to achieve the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) goals.
Hearing that from a shipyard CEO illustrates how important true collaboration and transparency mindset are. Driving the sustainable transformation in yachting needs investment from every player in the field.
