The Superyacht Eco Association (SEA Index), established in 2020 by the Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse (UBS Group), and the Port de Marseille Fos has formed a partnership aimed at reducing yacht emissions.
The partnership means Port de Marseille Fos joins a network of 23 ports already partnered with the Superyacht Eco Association (SEA Index).
The partnership aims to:
- Provide yacht owners with clear insights into the carbon footprint of their vessels.
- Highlight and promote the most environmentally responsible yachts.
- Encourage the arrival of lower-impact superyachts, in line with European and regional environmental objectives.
The Port de Marseille Fos handles nearly 10,000 vessels and 4 million passengers each year.
The agreement expands the international reach of the SEA Index and positions the Port de Marseille Fos within a recognised network of environmentally engaged ports across the Mediterranean, as well as the Seychelles and the Caribbean.
The SEA Index has recently enhanced its CO₂ framework by introducing a new air quality certification, developed in collaboration with AtmoSud. This certification assesses emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM), based on the installed power of main engines and generators. It complements the existing CO₂ assessment tool, certified by Lloyd’s Register, offering a comprehensive environmental evaluation, enabling ports and yacht owners to better understand and reduce the true environmental impact of large yachts.
Thanks to this dual approach, CO₂ and air quality, the team behind SEA Index says the partnership equips the Port de Marseille Fos with a toolkit to guide and incentivise the reception of yachts with a lower environmental footprint. The agreement notably includes the promotion of the SEA Index and the creation of targeted incentives to attract the most responsible vessels.
Port de Marseille Fos: environmental aims
As one of France’s leading port, the Port de Marseille Fos says it is actively pursuing an ambitious ecological transition within the maritime sector.
This partnership highlights its reception of responsible superyachts, while anticipating future European regulatory requirements.
The joint deployment of CO₂ and air quality certifications further reinforces this positioning by establishing a reference methodology applicable across the Mediterranean basin.
The official signing (main picture) took place at the Yacht Club of Monaco, in the presence of His Excellency Christophe Mirmand, minister of state of the Principality of Monaco, Bernard d’Alessandri, general secretary of the Yacht Club of Monaco and president of the SEA Index, Christophe Castaner, chairman of the supervisory board of the Port of Marseille Fos; along with leading institutional and port representatives.
A long-term, mutual commitment
The SEA Index grants the Port de Marseille Fos status as an institutional member, increasing its visibility within the international network of marinas and shipyards.
A shared roadmap will define measurable objectives and operational steps to reduce emissions associated with superyacht activity in the Marseille area. This approach will rely on a comprehensive environmental assessment, integrating CO₂, NOx, and particulate matter (PM) criteria.
The analysis of emissions (CO₂, NOx, PM) will guide the implementation of tailored solutions, with a view of achieving a concrete reduction in the environmental impact of visiting vessels.
Bernard d’Alessandri, president, SEA Index, says: “We are delighted to welcome the Port de Marseille Fos into the SEA Index community. By adopting a multi-criteria measurement tool – covering both CO₂ and air quality –it positions itself as a true pioneer. By joining forces with leading ports such as Marseille, we can collectively drive the adoption of ambitious and meaningful environmental standards. Only through this shared effort will we transform the yachting industry into a more responsible, measurable, and transparent model.”
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