On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, leading manufacturers from the European boating industry gathered in Amsterdam under the auspices of the European Boating Industry (EBI) to launch a project analyzing the life cycle of recreational boats.
The European Boating Industry (EBI) is an association that represents national marine industry federations across Europe (Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Finland, etc.). The French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) is one of its founding members, and Jean-Paul Chapeleau, president of the FIN, serves as Vice President alongside Robert Marx, president of the German federation BVWW and president of EBI. This launch gives a European dimension to the project initiated in December 2022 by the FIN, primarily driven by a working group consisting of the Beneteau Group, Fountaine-Pajot, Catana, and Grand Large Yachting. The goal is to equip the nautical industry with common life cycle assessment (LCA) tools, specifically tailored to recreational boats, to measure and enhance their environmental performance.
Today, 17 of Europe’s leading boat manufacturers and federations have come together to develop the very first environmental footprint standard for pleasure boats under 24 meters. This life cycle assessment (LCA) will be based on a shared methodology, a database, and an evaluation tool that allows all manufacturers, from large shipyards to small and medium-sized enterprises, to engage in eco-design and facilitate the environmental transition of the nautical sector. Reducing environmental impact and meeting the challenges of developing sustainable boating are major challenges for the future of our industry. By developing a methodology and common tools to measure impacts throughout the life cycle of a boat, the European nautical industry is now providing a concrete and operational response.
The 24-meter threshold was selected to align with European regulation. The standard will be developed in accordance with the European Union’s stringent rules on product environmental footprint categories. The project will be conducted in two phases, the first focusing on the development of a transparent environmental footprint methodology (based on scientific data) to standardize calculation rules. In the second phase, the focus will shift to implementing this system with a comprehensive database on materials and a dedicated calculation tool, enabling manufacturers to enhance eco-design and reduce the environmental footprint.
This joint effort will also enable the industry to comply with the latest EU environmental legislation and stay ahead of upcoming regulations. The project has already been presented to the European Commission and has received its support.
The project is led and funded by the European boating industry. Following a tender process, the environmental sustainability consultancy Quantis was selected as the technical partner.
“The FIN is delighted with this historic advancement for the European boating industry. It confirms the momentum driven by France, the excellence of its industry, its strong involvement in the project, and the role it intends to play in environmental transition,” states Jean-Paul Chapeleau, President of the FIN.
French shipyards involved in the project include:
Groupe Bénéteau, Fountaine Pajot, Grand Large Yachting, Catana, Amel