Cloudbreak superyacht

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72-metre Cloudbreak, in class with RINA
Credit: Guillaume Plisson/SuperYachtsMonaco

Why class societies are not just box tickers

19 November 2024 • Written by Hannah Rankine for RINA

The superyacht industry operates in a highly regulated environment, where innovation must advance hand-in-hand with compliance. In recent years, an increasing number of prospective owners have sought groundbreaking technologies, particularly those that reduce environmental impact. However, nobody wants to be a guinea pig when it comes to technical risk; this is where selecting the right class society with the right approach for technical innovation whilst promoting safety standards is a fundamental decision when starting a new project.

Founded in Italy, RINA is an international classification company that has expanded worldwide and understands that advancing superyacht technologies requires evolving class standards. That’s why RINA regularly updates its services and class rules, embracing change to help the superyacht industry progress as swiftly and safely as possible.

"The transition towards sustainable technologies and their safety will be crucial challenges for the yachting sector in the coming years, as the industry progresses in the application of alternative energy sources, such as methanol, hydrogen and atomic power,” explains RINA’s Head of North Europe Yachting Centre, Matteo Magherini.

Cloudbreak, in class with RINA
Credit: Guillaume Plisson/SuperYachtsMonaco

RINA Maxima

Serving the entire marine industry, RINA identified a rising need for highly specialised superyacht services back in 2022, driven by its expanding superyacht fleet. In response, it launched RINA Maxima, a dedicated suite of services for yachts ranging from 40 to 180 metres LOA.

Key services include:

  • Noise and vibration technical consultancy
  • Technical expertise to support the design and certification of advanced energy systems for superyachts, including alternative fuels like hydrogen and methanol
  • A range of ad hoc digital solutions designed to enhance efficiency, safety standards and onboard experiences
  • Cybersecurity consultancy services focused on ensuring cyber resilience and regulatory compliance throughout the entire vessel lifecycle, from design to delivery
  • Training programs that focus on regulatory frameworks, risk and crisis management, cybersecurity and customised technical training
77-metre La Datcha, in class with RINA
Credit: Julien Hubert​​​​/TWW Yachts

The Northern Europe Superyacht Hub

Since summer 2024, RINA has been providing specialised services through the "Superyacht Hub" in Northern Europe, managed by Magherini. The hub integrates its premier yachting operations across key locations: Rotterdam (Netherlands), Southampton (United Kingdom), Hamburg (Germany) and Gdansk (Poland). These strategically chosen sites form a robust network of expertise and service capabilities, establishing RINA as the trusted advisor for superyacht owners, builders and management companies, whether for new builds or refits.

RINA recognises that yachting is more than a business - it's a way of life for its partners, whether they are clients or shipyards. Being consistently accessible and responsive is therefore paramount. In the world of large yacht construction, where quality and timing are critical, the Superyacht Hub delivers technical excellence within tight deadlines. Moreover, RINA has local plan approval to support its specialist yachting surveyors, ensuring fast and accurate technical reliability.

70-metre Polestar, in class with RINA
Credit: Giovanni Malgarini/Rossinavi

Lateral thinking for class activities

RINA has distinguished itself as the first major classification society to offer thermal efficiency assessments for superyachts. This assessment method uses a goal-based approach to rank a vessel’s thermal efficiency by comparing it to a baseline set by the broader superyacht fleet. Yachts that demonstrate exceptional performance are rewarded with the additional yacht notation “Thermally Efficient Yacht”, making the notation valuable for owners interested in operational savings, environmental contributions or increasing the yacht's potential resale value.

“Thanks to the technical excellences derived by the wide range of business streams within the Group - from technical theoretical expertise from the field to provision of advanced training - RINA is well equipped to address the specific needs of the yachting sector, which increasingly incorporates advanced solutions,” says Magherini. “Our goal is to transfer our know-how and to mutually collaborate with owners and their advisors, yacht builders and engineers, elevating the industry standards to be future ready.”

In addition, RINA has begun exploring the feasibility of applying nuclear technology in superyachts, collaborating with strategic partners to conduct a preliminary study. “Both shipyards and clients are looking into the subject with increased curiosity and, whilst some initial thoughts have been published, we believe that a more in-depth study on the subject will be beneficial to advance superyacht industry knowledge,” says Magherini. While initial research has sparked interest, RINA is cautiously optimistic; Magherini notes that “the vastly biased public perception about nuclear is likely harder to address than the technological and operational challenges”. The findings of this study are anticipated by year-end, potentially laying the groundwork for further research in the field.

To find out more about RINA Maxima or RINA's full suite of classification service offerings, contact the team today.

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