Lorenzo Pollicardo
Technical & Environmental Director at Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss)
Lorenzo Pollicardo
Technical & Environmental Director at Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss)
I joined the yachting industry more than 30 years ago. During these three decades,our industry has grown substantially, both in quantitative terms and in quality. The superyacht industry has become extremely professional and has earned a recognized position in the maritime community.
After the pandemic hit, naturally everyone was waiting to see what the impact would be on the industry. However, for now, neither COVID or the global economic situation have severely impacted the yacht construction market, and existing and future orders remain firm.
Long term, the outlook for our industry is always difficult to predict. However, the indicators are positive both for new customers and the economic context. The risk, if there is one, is that perceptions in the media could have a negative impact on the wider industry.
This trend has led to efforts to correct these misconceptions. The Superyacht Life Foundation is one organisation which is actively working to share the positive aspects of the superyacht community, and open up the world of superyachts to new audiences.
Without question, the most important topic now for the yacht industry is sustainability.
Given the extraordinary resources and influence of owners, along with the sheer number of skilled designers, engineers, architects and builders working in the industry, it is not surprising that many superyacht projects have incorporated sustainable solutions to reduce their environmental footprint.
Leaders from the industry have banded together to establish Water Revolution Foundation (WRF), a non-profit organisation with a mission to drive sustainability to new levels in the industry through collaboration and innovation.
It is worth noting that compared with other marine vessels, superyachts have a very different operational profile: they average only around 300 hours’ operation per year and rarely sail at maximum speeds.
In this sense, regulations designed for the maritime industry cannot always be replicated in the superyacht sector. This means that equivalent, and sometimes more extensive solutions, must be found and tailored to our industry.
In this context, and given the growing focus on environmental regulations at IMO, the SYBAss board has asked its members to develop an official superyacht emission policy, in other words, a position for the industry to take towards greenhouse gases (GHG).
SYBAss has created an ad hoc GHG working group within its Technical & Environmental Committee. With the support of the Water Revolution Foundation, the aim is to create a SYBAss position on regulations for the superyacht industry, with the ultimate goal of influencing the IMO/MCA requirements on GHG emission reduction.
Our group is currently working to the following guidelines:
Indeed, one of SYBAss’ key goals is to help develop and adapt vital regulations within our industry. This was one of the driving forces when the association was first formed in 2007.
My role in SYBAss is to make sure that rules which impact superyachts take into account the unique nature of these vessels and the way they are operated.
Technical regulations are of crucial importance; SYBAss plays a prominent role in discussions on regulations. It maintains good relations with Flag States and Class Societies, and has permanent consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Safe operations, tailored regulations, and a common level playing field are SYBAss’ main objectives to support our membership.
It is also important that we collaborate at all levels, and here RINA plays a key role. SYBAss’ relationship with RINA consists of continuous discussions on all the main regulatory topics at an
international level.
Increasingly, classification societies are partnering with the superyacht industry to develop new technologies to propel stakeholders forward, all the while ensuring that vessels are in compliance with regulations. RINA has embraced this role, and continues to play an important part in the development of the industry.
In particular, I was recently honoured to be nominated Chairman of the new RINA Superyacht Green Technology Committee. The Committee will work to advance decarbonisation by sharing the experiences of industry, classfication and universities.
BIOGRAPHY
Lorenzo Pollicardo is a naval architect and marine engineer who, after spending two years of military service as Officer of the Italian Navy, spent 12 years at RINA as Head of the Yachting Department and Shipping Certification Department. In 1999, he joined UCINA as Secretary General. In this role, he has also been Chairman of the ICOMIA Technical Committee and General Director of the European Boating Federation. In 2009, he joined Federagenti as Advisor for the Superyacht Market. In 2015, he joined Nautica Italiana, the Italian marine industry association, affiliated to Fondazione Altagamma, as Secretary General. Since February 2019, he has been the Technical & Environmental Director of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss). In this role, he champions the interests of the leading superyacht builders around the world on the global regulatory stage and ensures that the rules which impact superyachts take into account their unique nature.
