How are you persevering with to drive ahead along with your give attention to eco-friendly options and sustainability initiatives?
We have now believed on this path for a very long time and are dedicated to assembly the targets set by each the Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) and the European Union, each of which we strongly assist. These aims are important, and it will be disappointing if Europe have been to desert them underneath strain from the American authorities, which has proven little actual curiosity on this space.
Whereas it’s true that the European strategy – with its formidable legislative targets and tight timelines – has led some firms to reply superficially or resort to greenwashing, this could not distract us from the crucial significance of sustaining a robust give attention to decreasing emissions.
On one facet, our R&D division is targeted on the very best resolution for tomorrow. Nonetheless, the primary strategy has been to focus on offering the very best options at this time, so as to not discuss solely concerning the future. We partnered with firms creating state-of-the-art know-how, so we are able to share figures and inform individuals how they’ll scale back consumption and emissions, and subsequently cash.
What features are you specializing in?
We give attention to three important pillars: decreasing weight, creating high-efficiency hulls, and using modern propulsion programs.
The efforts for decreasing weight led to a big funding in inner manufacturing and the usage of carbon fibre. In Avigliana, we’ve got an enormous oven to post-cure carbon fibre we produce in-house. For yachts 60ft and above, all our superstructures are in carbon fibre, which alone means 30 per cent much less weight. Secondly, we’re testing the usage of cork as an alternative of teak to additionally scale back weight. The Seadeck provides the choice of cork decking.
The second massive aspect is hull shapes. Our R&D group has centered on designing good, environment friendly hull shapes that may enhance effectivity by 15 per cent or much more. A few of our greatest designs are the patented hull on Azimut’s flagship 38m Grande Trideck and the one for the most recent Seadeck.
The third pillar is propulsion. The dialogue right here is similar to automobiles. Is electrification the absolute best resolution? Most likely not as a complete, however sure, throughout this transition part. For that reason, our present focus is on combining hybrid architectures with the usage of biofuels, and extra particularly, HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil), as a concrete and obtainable resolution.
Are you able to present examples of your present propulsion choices?
Azimut has continued to spend money on electrification and is providing distinct ranges of electrification, every tailor-made to the yacht’s measurement, market section and proprietor’s wants: from Zero Emission Lodge Mode to Delicate Hybrid and Full Hybrid. The Seadeck 7, for example, is the primary full hybrid yacht in its section, because it options the primary set up of a hybrid Volvo Penta IPS propulsion. Due to state-of-the-art sustainable options, it might probably scale back CO2 emissions by as much as 40 per cent over the course of a yr of common use.
On account of the mixture of intensive use of carbon-fibre, high-efficiency hulls, and modern propulsion programs, half of Azimut’s vary falls underneath the ‘Low Emission Yachts’ household, that means they scale back consumption and subsequently emissions by 30 per cent in comparison with related vessels that includes a standard hull and shaft
line propulsion. We consider this can be a vital, tangible, confirmed achievement and essentially the most severe strategy.
Lastly, as a part of our complete strategy to low-impact yachting, we’ve partnered with ENI – Italy’s main power group
in biofuel manufacturing – to totally transition to HVO, a biofuel derived from agricultural sources that don’t compete with the food-supply chain, able to attaining as much as a 90 per cent discount in emissions on a well-to-wake foundation. In the present day, we use it for testing, deliveries and transfers to boat exhibits. We’ve additionally verified that each one our yachts are absolutely HVO-compliant.
How profitable have these choices confirmed?
With the mixture of shifting to an obtainable gas, HVO, and by specializing in weight, hull shapes and electrification generally, I can proudly say we’re providing actual options obtainable at this time. Hydrogen, methanol, ammonia and different fuels generally are technologically doable, however they’re not all the time relevant to any measurement of boat, and at this stage usually are not a widespread possibility.
They’re an interesting different that we’re intently taking a look at with our R&D division, however not a extensively relevant resolution for at this time. I consider laws may develop into stricter, so we should be ready. We want this know-how shift in our yachting world, the identical means the automobile trade wants it, though yachting is a really small participant when it comes to emissions.
Though a number of the present technology of homeowners usually are not so involved about this subject, the stakeholders and the brand new technology of homeowners are. I bear in mind a narrative a few potential shopper coming to a ship present together with his household and telling me he was excited about shopping for a ship from one other shipyard, however then the 20-year-old daughter mentioned to the daddy, “No, we must always go together with Azimut as a result of they’re really investing in inexperienced know-how.” That was the signal for me that the brand new technology is rather more conscious.
Is the Seadeck 7 Azimut’s most eco-friendly providing?
Sure, it’s the epitome at this time. The Volvo Penta IPS hybrid know-how is just not but on the market as a result of it’s nonetheless underneath testing and can solely be obtainable available on the market in 2026. It’s costly, however the hybrid propulsion is barely answerable for a small a part of the emission reductions. A lot of the financial savings are on account of all the opposite know-how and supplies, so it’s resolution even with out the hybrid system.
What about Benetti’s eco-friendly developments?
As Seadeck is for Azimut, B.Yond is Benetti’s most eco-friendly manufacturing sequence, whereas the 108m Luminosity is among the world’s largest hybrid yachts. General, the Benetti fleet can function with hybrid propulsion, and we at the moment have 10 yachts underneath building with hybrid options. Nonetheless, we’re not focusing solely on propulsion, as a result of consumption on megayachts is rather more associated to onboard programs.
These yachts don’t cruise a lot, so the main target is on air-conditioning, lighting and so forth. We’re shifting in direction of a brand new system of air-conditioning that reduces consumption by 50 per cent. We’re doing loads of research, together with with AI, to enhance energy administration, in order that, for instance, lights are turned off in cabins when nobody is there. We’re taking a look at clever programs that examine your behaviour – such because the temperatures you want in your cabin, appropriate temperatures while you’re not within the cabin – to drastically lower your invoice.
How do house owners know what’s being achieved?
To make all this clear, we’ve been working so much with indexes. As an example, while you purchase a washer, you may have labels – A+, A++ and so forth – that inform shoppers the effectivity grade. If you wish to purchase a automobile, you open {a magazine} and you’ll examine one automobile’s consumption to a different’s.
I consider it needs to be the identical in yachting. In the present day, there are two indices, YETI for the large yachts and SEA Index for the smaller section, and we’ve been utilizing each. We collaborate with Lloyd’s Register and different third events to certify all our yacht consumptions; this isn’t advertising and marketing. I’ve been inviting the trade to comply with this strategy, so it turns into like different industries. We want knowledgeable strategy, clear communication and certifications by third events, so it’s clear for the patron.
We’re in a transition part, however ultimately, I can say that Seadeck is eligible for the SEA Index three stars. It can provide you a transparent, instantly recognisable parameter. Benetti’s 67m Kasper has a three-star index. Little by little, if such a score turns into a part of a buyer’s request, it is going to push shipyards in that course. There will likely be a standard, unbiased score as an alternative of shipyards simply saying they’re inexperienced.
You’ve got an intensive community of sellers throughout Asia, however no regional firm headquarters. Is that this a deliberate selection?
Truly, we do. Our lengthy historical past in Asia was as a result of imaginative and prescient of my father. By the Nineteen Nineties, we had a Hong Kong-based Benetti buyer shopping for a minority stake within the group. From early on, Asia was a spotlight and that partnership with a Benetti shopper helped speed up our entry into markets in Asia.
It’s a long-established enterprise. With Azimut, we’ve got about 10 sellers overlaying the entire of Asia from Japan, mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. We cowl the entire spectrum of alternatives in Asia, as we consider in a robust vendor community.
Our sellers are headed by entrepreneurs, resembling Mr Takayuki Nozawa, President and proprietor of Yasuda Group in Japan. Our sellers are deeply rooted within the native financial and cultural surroundings, offering companies for his or her lined areas, so it’s a really numerous organisation with key people who find themselves not solely managers however entrepreneurs. They discuss to our prospects and prospects on the similar stage. We consider on this mannequin, which is why we’ve been supporting long-time sellers and establishing new sellers.
Tam Son Yachting in Vietnam is a comparatively current appointment and doing very properly. Extra not too long ago, we appointed Europa Yachts for Indonesia and Brief Marine for all of Australia, so we consider we’ve got mapping as they complement present distributors.
On high of this framework, we’ve got devoted individuals primarily based in Asia, coordinating the gross sales and advertising and marketing community and supporting native sellers, together with for after-sales service. Being in a area that’s so unfold out, we’ve got an on-site, cellular regional construction for each Azimut and Benetti. We used to have places of work in Shanghai for Azimut and in Hong Kong for Benetti. We stored the individuals, however we didn’t really feel the necessity for places of work. We nonetheless have individuals primarily based within the area, however they journey round as a result of they assist the community.
How would you describe the Asia-Pacific market and its significance to Azimut|Benetti Group?
It’s key. The general Asian market could be very keen on Azimut flybridges. Shoppers right here just like the design and the quantity that the flybridge offers, with loads of inside area and completely different socialising areas. Azimut’s Grande vary has been doing very properly and it’s a undeniable fact that the common measurement of yachts offered in Asia has been rising.
In comparison with a long time in the past, when the Asian client was asking for a devoted format – resembling our Azimut Dragon sequence – at this time I see a brand new technology of extra cosmopolitan prospects. They don’t essentially desire a fully completely different product, however are extra inclined towards worldwide design and way of life, whereas nonetheless appreciating some format customisations.
Fairly often, they don’t desire a saloon and a eating space however an all-in lounging space, perhaps with low tables, so extra socialising areas. In contrast to within the US, we don’t promote open galleys in Asia as a result of the kitchen ought to stay separate. When it comes to format, there are nonetheless particular necessities and customisation, however I’d say there’s a transfer in direction of up to date world aesthetics.
‘Made in Italy’ could be very a lot appreciated, particularly the way it has advanced. It’s now cleaner and extra harmonious, which is often Asian, particularly Japanese, however with a bit of bit extra ornament and ‘heat’ than the minimalistic strategy.
How does the Asia-Pacific market examine to others?
We launched the Seadeck 7 in Asia at this yr’s Singapore Yachting Competition and though we have already got parameters from the remainder of the world, it’s nonetheless very contemporary on this area. The pattern in direction of larger boats is like the remainder of the world. Once we speak about Asia, there are lots of completely different nations and aspects.
Chinese language prospects abroad stay energetic, however mainland China continues to be not an enormous market on account of cultural, infrastructure and shoreline laws. Just a few years in the past, when a few of our rivals offered partly or absolutely to Chinese language teams, they introduced they’d begin manufacturing in China for the native market. This by no means occurred.
In Asia, all of us ought to work on fostering the yachting tradition, which has moved ahead however not as a lot as in Russia, for instance. From the time Russia opened to the Western world, it immediately jumped into the marine way of life.
Extra time is required in Asia and possibly higher crew high quality. There’s an incredible alternative for well-paid jobs on this sector and I consider the world has the manpower, however high-quality coaching is required.
Is your present give attention to Asia influenced by the US-led commerce warfare?
We’ve been experiencing an attention-grabbing place lately. The truth that we may organise this yr’s Azimut Asian Rendez-Vous in Japan, with 10 yachts on show, was very encouraging. We’ve seen a rise in gross sales and curiosity, so we need to enhance it. Hopefully, we received’t should substitute the US, as a result of it represents 25-30 per cent of our world market. A serious a part of our gross sales within the US are 24m-plus yachts that aren’t usually US-flagged, so it’s not such an enormous situation.
Within the smaller section, fortuitously, we’re a really premium model within the US, so we consider this notion will make the distinction. It’s like a Ferrari automobile or an Hermes bag: prospects will likely be prepared to purchase even when there’s a ten per cent enhance in worth.
Are you able to give us an replace of Azimut|Benetti Group’s amenities and any adjustments?
We not too long ago made some acquisitions. We expanded in Tuscany, round Pisa and Massa. We created a hub for constructing fibreglass and one other for constructing small yachts in metal and aluminium. Beforehand, these have been usually bought externally or outsourced. The choice was made to not purchase suppliers however to regulate high quality by remodeling these areas into manufacturing websites.
We’ve invested in 100,000sqm near Avigliana, Piedmont, to be prepared for potential new actions. Even within the increase years, the technique was to broaden our amenities. Each time it was doable, we enlarged all our manufacturing sheds in Avigliana, Livorno and Viareggio. We consider in natural, inner progress by constructing on what we’ve got.
Refit is one other focus and space of growth. In Livorno, we’ve invested €12 million for Lusben to develop into one of many massive refit gamers in southern Europe, competing with France and Spain, together with within the 100m-plus yacht section and crusing yachts, as a result of addition of a devoted shed for the booms in Lusben’s Livorno facility.
For extra info, go to azimutyachts.com, benettiyachts.com.
This text was first seen on YACHT STYLE.
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