Greener waters
The Designers' Protocol 2024, unveiled during Monaco Yacht Show, outlines principles for sustainable yacht design, encouraging collaboration across the industry.
04 October 2024
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The latest edition of the Designers’ Protocol was unveiled at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, 25 to 28 September, providing a comprehensive guide for environmentally-conscious yacht design.
Developed through a collaborative initiative led by Dickie Bannenberg of Bannenberg & Rowell Design in partnership with the non-profit Water Revolution Foundation’s Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce, the protocol outlines actionable principles and recommendations for integrating sustainability into new yacht projects.
A panel discussion involving yacht designers, naval architects, and industry professionals was held to discuss contributions to the protocol. Moderated by Francesca Webster, editor in chief of SuperYacht Times, the panel included Dan Wupperman, head of group initial design at Espen Oeino International, Tanno Weeda, head of design at De Voogt Naval Architects, and Matthew Anzardo, global segment lead at AkzoNobel.
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The discussion emphasised the collaborative nature of yacht design, highlighting the need for designers, naval architects, and suppliers to work together in addressing challenges and combining expertise.
“We need to make clients aware of what is possible in a comprehensive way and move forward accordingly together. Those who don’t join us will be left behind,” said Weeda.
The document provides guidance across nine areas of yacht design. It begins with general advice on the life cycle approach, operational profiles, and energy sources, followed by more specific topics, including hotel load and air conditioning systems, glazing treatments, and hull colour. Contributions from AkzoNobel, Bannenberg & Rowell Design, De Voogt Naval Architects, Espen Oeino International, Eckersley O’Callaghan, RWD and Viken Group have shaped this extensive guide.
Yacht designers are positioned to influence clients’ decisions towards sustainability from the earliest stages of a project. The protocol aims to equip designers with the knowledge needed to advocate for environmentally responsible choices.
“In general, most clients have been engaged by the ideas within the protocol,” Wupperman says.
“While some were initially uninterested, once we start demonstrating the benefits and taking them through the process step by step, it opens the door to conversations. We bring in the ideas, engage the shipyard, and ultimately convince the client to do a little bit more.
“The protocol’s aim is to bring all designers together to solve many different challenges collectively – not just one project. And it’s been a lot of fun getting to know other companies and their perspectives as we all work towards the same goal.”
Anzardo adds: The Designers’ Protocol reflects a concerted effort from across the yachting industry, drawing expertise from suppliers, naval architects, engineers and design studios. This collaboration aims to promote sustainability across the sector. “It’s not one magic bullet – the whole industry must work together to make yachting more sustainable.”
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