The Superyacht Eco Association (SEA Index) has announced a new Air Quality Certification for superyachts, expanding its environmental assessment framework beyond carbon emissions to address the localised health impacts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PMâ‚‚.â‚…).
Developed in collaboration with AtmoSud, the air quality observatory for the Provence-Alpes-CĂ´te d’Azur region, the certification is the first dedicated benchmark for local air quality impact in the superyacht sector, according to a statement released on 10th March. It sits alongside the existing SEA Index COâ‚‚ Rating, which remains the market’s primary reference for climate impact assessment.
Why air quality matters for yachting
The certification addresses a gap in how the industry measures its environmental footprint. Superyachts spend a significant portion of their operational time at anchor or at berth, often close to marinas, ports and populated coastlines, meaning their NOx and PMâ‚‚.â‚… emissions have a direct impact on the air quality experienced by surrounding communities as well as owners, guests and crew on board.
Prof. Pierre Charles Maria, President of AtmoSud, said the initiative responded to a public health concern as much as an environmental one. “Providing transparent, scientifically credible indicators helps both regulators and industry stakeholders better understand local emissions and work collectively toward solutions,” he said.
How the rating works
The methodology draws on AIS data from 2,000 yachts over 24 metres to establish a representative operational profile across the Mediterranean, with fuel consumption modelling aligned to international maritime standards. Pollutants are assessed using the 2023 EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook, the European reference for maritime emissions modelling.
The certification uses a one-to-five star rating system, assessed independently for NOx and PMâ‚‚.â‚…, with a combined Air Quality Rating consolidating the two scores. Three stars represents the performance of a typical modern yacht, while four or five stars indicate vessels with advanced emissions-reduction technologies. Systems accounted for in the rating include Selective Catalytic Reduction for NOx, Diesel Particulate Filters for particulate matter, and alternative fuels such as methanol where validated emission factors exist.
Industry response
Bernard d’Alessandri, President of the SEA Index Superyacht Eco Association and General Secretary of Yacht Club de Monaco, said the certification gave the industry a reliable and internationally aligned tool. “It is another step toward a future where exceptional yachting experiences coexist with environmental responsibility,” he said.
The SEA Index was founded in 2020 by Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse, now part of the UBS Group, and forms a central part of Monaco’s ‘Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative. Future developments to the Air Quality Certification may extend the methodology to cover ultrafine particles, next-generation propulsion systems and additional pollutant categories.
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Photo credit: Guillaume Plisson