Showcasing Sustainability At METSTRADE 2024

Last week, the maritime industry gathered in Amsterdam for the iconic METSTRADE show. At Boatbookings, we are passionate about sustainability and greener solutions for the boating industry. We regularly stay ahead of the developments and innovations; here we have put together some of our favourite launches and news from METSTRADE 2024:

A Sustainability Focus

This year, the Superyacht Sustainability Route returned, highlighting solutions verified by the Water Revolution Foundation. These solutions aid efficiency, reduce environmental impact, promote corporate responsibility, and minimise waste.

The show encompassed a range of seminars and workshops from leaders in the maritime industry to discuss the current and future goals of sustainability within the marine world. We were pleased to see that sustainability was truly a cornerstone of the discussions throughout the show, marking significant change and development in the future.

The Launch Of YETI

Along with their involvement in the Sustainability Route, the Water Revolution Foundation also launched its new YETI software tool to reduce yachting’s eco-footprint. The Yacht Environmental Transparency Index results from an industry-wide collaboration and is designed for the yachting industry to access, compare, and improve its environmental footprint. The tool calculates critical ecological factors, such as propulsion and energy usage in hotel loads, providing an environmental profile for each yacht.

Garmin Improve Packaging

Garmin also presented various solutions to minimise its footprint, such as packaging improvements. The company explained how it uses less packaging and drastically reduces plastic while eliminating 90% of foam within product boxes.

Greener Teak From Flexiteek

Flexiteek launched its latest synthetic teak decking, significantly improving performance and design. The new model builds on the company’s legacy of improving sustainability. The company produces teak that replicates the appearance of natural teak while using a renewable material that reduces emissions by up to 80%.

Gori Present Hyrbid Sailing Propeller

At METSTRADE, Gori Propellers announced the development of a new hybrid folding propeller designed for electric and hybrid sailing yachts, set to launch in 2025. The new design enables sailors to switch between optimal sealing performance and power regeneration modes.

Sustainable Fabrics From Sunbrella

Sunbrella highlights its dedication to sustainability by displaying the ‘Endless Stories’ fabric collection, designed in-house, it is developed from production waste materials with up to 50% recycled fibres. It is Sunbrrella’s first dedicated range of recycled materials for marine use.

A Greener Future

This year’s shows demonstrated that sustainability is no longer an option but a transformation in the boating world. From innovative software tools to exciting product designs, the marine sector is reimagining its approach. These developments represent a collective commitment to preserving our oceans. At Boatbookings, we are excited and optimistic about the boating sector’s trajectory and look forward to continuing to support and promote these initiatives.

Check out our greener crewed charter catamarans for those looking to make a positive change and charter better. Contact one of the team members today to learn more about our commitment to sustainability.

Posted on November 27, 2024 by admin

How Catamarans Are A More Eco-Friendly Choice For Your Next Yacht Charter

At Boatbookings, we constantly seek to provide unforgettable boating experiences while minimising environmental impact. For this reason, we are proud to spotlight our fleet of greener crewed charter catamarans. Catamarans are the ultimate choice for charter clients seeking both luxury and sustainability. Here, we explore why catamarans are leading the charge when it comes to a greener charter:

Fuel Efficiency

One of the most significant benefits of catamarans is their exceptional fuel efficiency. Thanks to the unique hull designs, catamarans experience less water resistance than monohulls. This results in less fuel consumption, especially when motoring. A sailing catamaran also improves this, with more wind power being used. Many of our greener crewed catamaran fleets are also equipped with hybrid propulsion systems, combining electric motors with conventional engines. This allows for less environmental impact and silent, emission-free cruising.

Greener Power

Catamarans are ideal for utilising renewable energy sources. The wide, stable platforms provide ample space for solar panels, harnessing nature’s power. An example of this is the Sunreef Yachts Eco models. The Polish shipyard developed a patented in-house solar skin that is integrated into the superstructure, and with this solar panel, a large proportion of the catamarans’ energy needs can be generated.

Minimal Impact

The shallow draft of catamarans is another critical feature that contributes to their environmental friendliness. Unlike deeper-keeled monohulls, catamarans can easily access shallow waters and anchor without disturbing sensitive marine ecosystems. This is especially important in the French Riviera, where new anchoring restrictions deter boats from anchoring in the Posidonia seagrass areas. With catamarans, there are more possibilities for anchoring closer to the shore.

Spacious & Efficient

Sustainability isn’t just about fuel and energy consumption and efficient use of space and resources. Catamarans boast expansive living areas and deck spaces while maintaining a smaller overall footprint than monohulls of similar capacity. Such an efficient design means lower energy requirements for climate control and lighting. Many catamarnas feature large windows and open-play layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

Spreading The Awareness

Choosing a catamaran for your charter isn’t just about reducing your environmental impact – it’s also an opportunity for education and awareness. The crew onboard our greener crewed catamarans are passionate about marine conservation and are always eager to share their knowledge with guests.

Choose A Catamaran Today

Whether you choose a Fountaine Pajot, Sunreef or a Lagoon, we have a wide selection of catamarans for your next boat charter. By opting for a catamaran, you’re not just choosing a comfortable and stable platform for your vacation – you’re making a statement about your commitment to sustainable travel. You’re showing that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. At Boatbookings, we believe that the future of yachting lies in embracing sustainable technologies and practices. Our fleet of greener crewed charter catamarans represents the pinnacle of this philosophy, offering an unparalleled combination of comfort, performance, and sustainability. Contact one of the Boatbookings teams to find out more.

Posted on October 16, 2024 by admin

Responsible Sailing: How to Embrace Greener Boating Using the 4 ‘R’s’

Not only are we passionate about bringing you an unforgettable crewed charter catamaran and barefoot charter catamaran experiences, but we also want to help you partake in responsible sailing and protect our oceans.

Greener Boating

At its core, to have a more sustainable boating industry is about minimizing the negative impacts on the environment and maximizing the benefits for everyone involved. One aspect of this mission of greener chartering is to promote and incorporate the ‘R’s throughout our entire operation and growing fleet.

These ‘R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle – provide a roadmap for achieving these goals. We take a look into this framework that are the cornerstones to sustainability with regards to Boatbookings:

Reduce

The first ‘R’ is all about how you can reduce your environmental impact. At Boatbookings, we have made conscious choices to offer a range of greener crewed catamaran charters for you to choose from. We prioritize the selection of yachts we offer to ensure they are showcasing more sustainable technology, ensuring lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. We aim to provide options from catamaran builders such as Silent Yachts, Sunreef Eco, and Fountaine Pajot.

But our commitment to reducing doesn’t stop there. Our carbon emissions calculator helps us assess and continually improve our environmental practices.

We advocate for our operators to reduce the amount of waste and pollution while promoting eco-friendly brands. We also encourage our clients and yachts to reduce speed, especially when sailing near vulnerable marine life habitats. Going slow reduces impact and enables clients to soak up the ocean’s magic.

Reuse

We ensure that our crewed charter partners regularly maintain and service their fleets to ensure longevity and reduce the need for unnecessary repairs. We also work with partners who are aligned with sustainable practices that reduce resource consumption and waste generation.

Repurpose

At Boatbookings, we pride ourselves on promoting repurposing by collaborating with companies that repurpose marine waste into innovative products, contributing to a more circular economy.

We want to raise more awareness about the critical issue of marine pollution that our oceans face. Education is essential in changing consumer behavior and inspiring a new sense of responsibility.

Recycle

The final ‘R’ is recycling, which you are probably already familiar with. We advocate responsible recycling throughout our operators and clients. We are always looking for better recycling initiatives within marinas worldwide to facilitate easier recycling for our clients.

Responsible chartering is an integral part of experiencing the beauty of our oceans. By promoting these ‘R’s, we are not only committed to reducing the environmental impact of our selected fleet but also dedicated to creating eco-conscious charter experiences for our clients.

Posted on November 16, 2023 by admin