Yacht industry on sustainability course

Italian yacht builders Sanlorenzo, Overmarine and Ferretti are embracing sustainability. Their yachts of the future shall be equipped with pioneering mtu technologies such as IMO III-compliant engines, hybrid systems, fully integrated mtu NautIQ Bridge systems and fuel cells.  

Anyone who believes that the yacht industry solely aspires to build fast, beautiful, luxurious vessels is mistaken. In today's yacht world, a high premium is being placed on sustainability, and that was clear to see at this year's yacht shows around the Mediterranean. “I was thrilled by the positive response to our sustainable products and to see us sealing deals with the major shipyards,” said Denise Kurtulus, Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.  

And as Rolls-Royce Power Systems moves into the future with its renowned yacht-building partners Ferretti, Overmarine and Sanlorenzo, it will also be emphasizing sustainability. All partners will continue to power their yachts with mtu Series 2000 and 4000 units.  

Ferretti builds yacht with mtu hybrid system next year

Ferretti will be the first manufacturer to market a new yacht with mtu hybrid propulsion on board. The future-proof propulsion solution delivers 1,432 kW, with each drive train comprising twin 12-cylinder mtu Series 2000 diesel engines along with electric drive modules, gearbox, batteries, control and monitoring systems and further electronic components.   Also equipped with SCR for exhaust aftertreatment, the propulsion system complies with IMO-III rules. “We're delighted to be launching new high-tech solutions on the market along with our long-standing partner Ferretti,” said Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The propulsion system brings significant gains, and not only in terms of power and comfort. In electric-only mode, it emits neither sulfur, nor nitric oxide, nor particulates.  

The Overmarine shipyard is embracing sustainability too and keen to build yachts with mtu hybrid propulsion on board in the future. In fact, things are being taken another step further, with Rolls-Royce Power Systems and the Italian shipyard also interested in a dialog about fuel cells.  

Series 2000 yacht engines compliant with IMO-III from spring 2022  

Sanlorenzo is also increasingly opting for mtu solutions in sustainable propulsion and is to equip specific SL yachts with mtu engines carrying IMO-III certification. This new generation of engines will be available from spring 2022 and shall allow the yachts they power to enter special emission-controlled (ECA) waters such as those off the coast of North America, and in the Caribbean and North and Baltic seas. That is because the SCR units which are part of the propulsion system shall cater for substantial reductions in particulate and nitric oxide emissions. The IMO-III-compliant propulsion system equipped with a 16-cylinder 2000 M97L unit is to be shipped for the first time this autumn for testing in a series yacht from early 2022.   Other versions of the mtu Series 2000 unit are to be made ready for IMO III-compliant service step-by-step.  

NautIQ integrates sub-systems for control, monitoring and navigation  

Furthermore, Sanlorenzo is set to be one of the first yacht builders to equip a vessel with the new fully integrated mtu NautIQ Bridge solution. This system is a member of the new, recently launched mtu ship automation family NautIQ, developed in collaboration with yacht specialist Team Italia. It integrates into a single platform all key sub-systems responsible for vessel control, monitoring and navigation, irrespective of where they are located on board.  

Yacht future open to all types of technology

“How important sustainability is to the yacht industry is becoming increasingly clear,” said Denise Kurtulus, who also went on to point out that there would be no 'one-size-fits-all solution' to sustainability in marine propulsion. On the contrary, various concepts are emerging based on hybrid systems, fuel cells, and internal combustion engines running on sustainably produced fuels to provide CO2-neutral driving power.   How these are deployed depends on the given infrastructure and the needs of ship owners and shipyards. “The new era of sustainability in yacht-building is an exciting time and I'm proud to be able to play a part in shaping it,” summed up Kurtulus.