RINA joins forces with superyacht non-profit

European classification society and certification authority, RINA has become a corporate member of the Superyacht Eco Association (SEA Index), a consumer oriented non-profit organisation advocating more transparency and energy-efficiency from the superyacht industry.

RINA says this move is a significant step forwards for it within the superyacht sector.

The SEA Index, an established pioneering tool launched in 2020, provides yacht owners with impartial and third-party verified tools to evaluate the environmental impact of superyachts. It’s said this latest collaboration will complement the existing phases of the SEA Index, which include Phase III (evaluating the energy intensity of yachts above 25 meters) and Phase IV (evaluating the energy intensity of yachts ranging from 0 to 24 metres).

“Innovation is at the core of the yachting industry, and, through it, the sector will succeed in achieving even more sustainable practices,” says Giuseppe Zagaria, Marine Italy technical director at RINA. 

“This matches perfectly RINA’s vision and competence in cutting-edge technologies. We have decided to join the new SEA Index initiative to make our expertise in sustainable solutions and compliance available to yacht owners providing them with a more effective understanding of the environmental performance of their yachts.”

RINA and the Superyacht Eco Association will work together on the SEA Index tool segment which focuses on the fuel consumption analysis of yachts exceeding 500 gross tons (GT) and above 25 metres in length. 

Natalie Quévert, SEA Index project leader, comments: “Our guiding principles have always been in alignment and will evolve with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), all the while ensuring third- party verification.

“We are very proud RINA has seen value in our work and join us on our journey. Slowly but surely, with the help of all our SEA Index members we are lifting the veil of secrecy on vessel consumption and vessel energy-intensity. We believe yacht owners have the right to know what they are purchasing, reselling, or chartering”.