by Water Revolution Foundation | 27 Nov 2025 | News
Water Revolution Foundation spent last week at the Superyacht Forum and Metstrade for a full programme of meetings, presentations and collaborative sessions. Our team contributed across multiple stages, advancing conversations on environmental responsibility and practical pathways for a more sustainable superyacht sector. Below is a wrap-up of our sessions.
NXT-GEN Anti-Fouling Session
Our Environmental Specialist, Awwal Idris joined the panel for the NXT-GEN Anti-fouling session which brought together coating manufacturers, shipyards and insurers to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of fouling control. The discussion highlighted the need to balance hull performance, regulatory changes and environmental protection, with a growing emphasis on reducing toxic releases and preventing invasive species transfer. Speakers compared differing approaches – from traditional biocides to silicone foul-release technologies – while emphasising ongoing misconceptions around operational requirements for newer systems. The panel strongly supported a sector-wide shift from “antifouling” to the broader and more accurate term “fouling control,” and underlined the increasing role of Life Cycle Assessment in material innovation, though better integration of real-world operational performance into these assessments remains essential.
HVO: Breaking Barriers to Adoption
Our Technical Director, Hanna Dąbrowska moderated the HVO session, a deeply practical session that clarified the regulatory, operational and technical realities of adopting HVO as a drop-in fuel for the yacht fleet. Certification frameworks, including EU schemes and emerging IMO guidance, were outlined to demonstrate that integrity mechanisms already exist to manage fraud risks within the renewable fuel supply chain. The panel noted that HVO is compatible with most modern engines, offers cleaner combustion and enhanced engine longevity, and maintains excellent long-term storage stability. While availability varies regionally and cost remains slightly above MGO, most barriers are rooted in misconceptions – particularly confusion between HVO and FAME biodiesel. The key takeaway is that HVO represents the only immediate and scalable decarbonisation tool for the existing fleet (however it is still a temporary solution according to the IMO), with adoption limited more by perception and education than by technology.
The Ocean Assist Programme
Our Initiator and Vice Chair, Dr. Vienna Eleuteri was joined on stage by Georgina Menheneott from Burgess, Fiorenzo Spadoni from RINA and Francesca Webster from Superyacht Times to discuss our new programme Ocean Assist. This session introduced Ocean Assist as a scientifically verified, regenerative investment pathway designed specifically for the maritime sector. It explained how Ocean Assist Units combine carbon removal, biodiversity regeneration, water-quality improvements and social benefits within one transparent and independently validated methodology. Case studies demonstrated operational uptake, including Burgess’ integration of these units into travel, events and fleet management, while RINA outlined the ISO 14064-3 verification process that underpins credibility and safeguards against greenwashing. With global environmental reporting expectations rising and regions like the Red Sea already embedding regenerative metrics into marine tourism frameworks, the session highlighted Ocean Assist as a forward-leaning, reputation-enhancing approach for the yachting community.
Hub of Verified Solutions Matchmaking Session
This dynamic speed-dating format connected verified solutions from our Hub of Verified Solutions with an expanded group of potential buyers, creating an energetic environment for discovery, knowledge exchange and commercial traction. The session saw strong engagement and meaningful introductions, reinforcing the Hub’s role as the central platform for proven sustainable technologies in yachting and demonstrating growing industry appetite for verified, ready-to-implement solutions.
If you would like to learn more about our Hub of Verified Solutions or submit a solution for verification, visit: https://waterrevolutionfoundation.org/programmes/hub-of-verified-solutions/
WRF IMO Zero-Framework – What Is NXT
With the decision at IMO to delay the Net Zero Framework by one year, our voluntary industry Roadmap 2050, launched last June, was the perfect topic for a session discussing what yachting can do pro-actively rather than sit back and wait for regulations. Our Executive Director Robert van Tol called this Roadmap yachting’s compass to navigate unchartered waters together. With the quantified targets in 5-year increments for the four life cycle stages of a yacht: Design, Build, Operation and Refit, all yachting stakeholders are connected and have a role to play. While investments in new technologies continue, the infrastructure and local policies would need to be updated in order for clients to go for it and avoid chicken-egg situations.
The Superyacht Coating Conference
Our Environmental Specialist, Awwal Idris, joined the panel at this year’s Superyacht Coating Conference, which returned at a pivotal time for the sector. The session explored the accelerating regulatory shift around antifouling coatings, driven by concerns over biocides that harm marine life, accumulate in sediments and affect sensitive coastal zones. With the IMO AFS Convention, the EU Biocidal Products Regulation and local restrictions on copper and co-biocides already in force – and more substances under review – the trend is clearly moving toward stricter controls and increased interest in non-biocidal alternatives.
The panel underscored the need for a solid Business-as-Usual (BAU) baseline to understand today’s typical environmental impact and to ensure new systems can be meaningfully compared against it. Life Cycle Assessment was highlighted as a practical tool for this process, enabling manufacturers to test scenarios early in formulation, adjust materials, reduce toxicity and refine performance before products reach market. The overarching message: next-generation fouling-control solutions must pair high technical performance with demonstrably lower environmental cost, supported by transparent evidence and clear comparison to BAU.
Yacht 2030
Our PhD student, Ludovico Ruggiero from Politecnico di Milano presented the Yacht 2030 project, a structured, life-cycle-based approach to supporting more environmentally friendly yacht design. The session introduced a practical framework built around three phases: measuring environmental hotspots through Life Cycle Assessment, applying targeted optimisation strategies, and benchmarking designs against both previous configurations and the wider market.
The research presented demonstrated how small but well-informed design decisions – such as selecting aluminium with high recycled content, reducing structural mass through advanced engineering, or integrating remanufactured components – can generate meaningful upstream impact reductions. Early case-study results showed that applying only a handful of targeted guidelines delivered a 10% improvement in the cradle-to-shipyard phase, underscoring the value of embedding Life Cycle Thinking at the concept stage.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 10 Nov 2025 | News
The show season is in full swing, and we are excited to return to The Superyacht Forum and METSTRADE as a strategic partner – and to the very place where the foundation was created in 2018. This year, our focus is on the compass to navigate uncharted waters together. From implementing Roadmap 2050 and advancing the Ocean Assist programme to moderating a session on the next steps for HVO, we’re driving collective progress toward a regenerative yachting sector defined by innovation, responsibility, and shared ambition.
The Superyacht Forum
The week will kick off with our Environmental Scientist, Awwal Idris, taking part in a panel discussion on NXT-GEN Anti-fouling: Asset Performance & Ocean Legacy on Monday 17 November at 14:45–16:00 in rooms E105/E106. This session will explore the latest innovative antifouling technologies and assess the essential need for global collaboration – from industry leaders to authorities – to mitigate this widespread impact.
Also on Monday 17 November at 14:45–16:00 in rooms E102/E108, our Technical Director, Hanna Dabrowska, will moderate a session on The Next Steps for HVO. This session is designed for C-suite leaders to tackle the real barriers to adoption, from quality and engine compatibility to logistics and policy gaps. Together, we’ll drive the transition forward, using collaboration and innovation to shape a future strategy for sector-wide adoption.
On Tuesday 18 November at 11:45–13:00 at The Superyacht Forum, we will discuss the recent IMO postponement: Net-Zero Framework. Our Executive Director, Robert van Tol, will join legislative experts on stage to discuss whether the postponement is a setback or an opportunity for the yachting sector, in alignment with Roadmap 2050.
On Tuesday 18 November at 14:45–16:00 at The Superyacht Forum, our Initiator and Vice Chair, Vienna Eleuteri, will take a closer look at how the yachting community can take actionable steps to implement Roadmap 2050 through adopting Ocean Assist. This session builds on last year’s roadmap vision and will explore concrete tools, pathways, and collaborations needed to accelerate change across the industry. A ticket is required at The Superyacht Forum to attend this session.
METSTRADE 2025
On Wednesday 19 November at 11:45–12:15 on the METSTRADE stage, Smart Interiors Horizon is hosting a session on Redefining Luxury. This discussion will explore how sustainability can be seamlessly embedded into design and production as a natural evolution of quality, creativity, and excellence. Through diverse perspectives and real project examples, the speakers will reflect on how interiors can embody both aesthetic value and environmental consciousness, maintaining timeless appeal while addressing contemporary challenges.
On Wednesday 19 November at 12:00–14:30, we are hosting our annual Matchmaking Workshop. This workshop brings together our Verified Solutions with new-build and refit yards, designers, and yacht managers for a unique opportunity to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and accelerate sustainable innovation across the supply chain.
On Thursday 20 November at 12:15–12:45 on the Superyacht Stage, our Technical Director, Hanna Dabrowska, and PhD student Ludovico, along with a panel of experts, will explore what “Yacht 2030” means for design, technology, and sustainability — showcasing the innovations that will define the next generation of superyachts as we look toward a future where performance, responsibility, and regeneration go hand in hand.
We are proud to present this year’s edition of the Superyacht Sustainability Route at METSTRADE 2025. Continuing our shared commitment to transparency and measurable impact, the Route highlights LCA-verified, third-party–assessed solutions featured within our Hub of Verified Solutions. Look out for the Sustainability Route stamp throughout the show floor — a signpost to verified innovation driving real environmental progress. Explore our Hub of Verified Solutions.
We look forward to seeing you at The Superyacht Forum and METSTRADE! For questions or more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 10 Nov 2025 | News
We are thrilled to welcome Jemma Lampkin to our Board of Directors!
Jemma joins as the Yachting Supply Chain representative, bringing a perspective that reflects the broader ecosystem and strengthens sector representation on our board.
Jemma was appointed Global Commercial Director of AkzoNobel’s Yacht Coatings Division in 2022. With over a decade of experience at AkzoNobel, including senior roles within the Aerospace Coatings business, she brings a wealth of expertise to the position.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from the National University of Singapore. Widely regarded as an inspirational leader and a strong role model for women in the marine industry, Jemma is deeply committed to advancing sustainable innovation within yacht coatings, driving initiatives that reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance excellence. As a frequent spokesperson at prominent industry events such as METSTRADE, she shares strategic insights on talent development, emerging technologies and the evolving role of sustainability in shaping the future of the marine sector.
“Becoming part of the Water Revolution Foundation board offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry experts equally passionate about embedding sustainability in yachting. The supply chain is instrumental for the acceleration of change through innovative product development. It is crucial that solutions reach the decision makers as early as possible, but also have their credentials checked. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to bring that perspective to the Foundation as we continue to drive meaningful, measurable progress towards a more sustainable future for our industry.”
Welcome to the Revolution, Jemma!
by Water Revolution Foundation | 24 Sep 2025 | Press Releases
Water Revolution Foundation Launches its Ocean Assist Programme into the Yachting Community at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show.Monaco, 24 September 2025
Following its global debut at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) earlier this year, Water Revolution Foundation now officially launched Ocean Assist to the wider yachting community at the Monaco Yacht Show. Ocean Assist is a science-based, regenerative impact programme designed specifically to restore the ecological footprint of yachting. It is aimed at helping the yachting community to support its most critical stakeholder, the ocean. Carefully selected by a scientific advisory board, the programme ensures effective, quantified and transparently reported positive impact projects.
RINA-certified under ISO standards, Ocean Assist represents the very first UN-recognised regenerative programme. It incorporates Regenerative Contribution Units, initially recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at COP28 in Dubai as an innovative metric to move beyond carbon offsetting. Recognised by UN DESA as an investment-ready platform to channel finance into SDG 14, Ocean Assist combines these Units with carbon credits, generating a regenerative bonus and positioning yachting as a strategic driver within the blue economy. It complements the targets established in Water Revolution Foundation’s Roadmap 2050 – Towards Regenerative Yachting, ensuring that after actors have reduced their footprint, they can complete their net-zero commitment by compensating the remaining impact through regenerative, reliable and relevant contributions to restore and protect the ocean.
How Ocean Assist Works
Each Ocean Assist Unit (OAU) combines both ecological and climate benefits in one trusted mechanism:
- 1 OAU = 1 Regenerative Contribution Unit (RCU) + 23 Verified Emission Reductions (VERs)
- Regenerative Contribution Unit (RCU): Measures net ecological gains in both extent and condition, expressed as quality hectares (Qha).
- Verified Emission Reductions (VERs): Each RCU is associated with the certified removal of 23 tonnes of CO₂eq, issued by the eCO2care – Carbon Account Registry for Climate Neutrality. VERs are globally recognised and can be included in corporate sustainability reports.
All Projects that generate OAU’s are:
- Selected by an independent scientific advisory board, ensuring due diligence on climate, ecology, governance, and integrity.
- Registered in the public eCO2care registry, guaranteeing transparency, traceability, and accountability.
- Certified through a rigorous process so yacht owners, builders, and stakeholders know their contributions have the highest possible positive impact.
Certificates will be issued by Water Revolution Foundation upon purchasing Ocean Assist Units. With these certificates, the process is complete and emission reductions can be formally included in corporate sustainability reporting.
Why This Matters
Yachting, as the pinnacle of luxury, has both the resources and the responsibility to lead by example in ocean stewardship. Ocean Assist enables the industry to:
- Act as ocean stewards by directly funding high-impact restoration and conservation projects.
- Embed sustainability into strategy, going beyond offsetting to measurable ecological regeneration.
- Demonstrate leadership by holding itself to a higher standard, creating a multiplier effect across industries.
- Report with confidence, as OAUs provide both VER certificates for carbon accounting and RCU certificates for biodiversity gains.
“Integrating regenerative investment into our business value propositions is the way to preserve a future for all. Ocean Assist provides a scientifically robust, transparent, and regenerative path forward for yachting and beyond. By choosing Ocean Assist, we choose to turn our industry’s footprint into a legacy of regeneration.” – Dr. Vienna Eleuteri, Programme Architect, Ocean Assist.
Certification and Development Partners
Now Available
Ocean Assist Units can now be purchased directly through the Water Revolution Foundation website. By participating, the yachting community can take tangible, verifiable steps toward protecting marine biodiversity and accelerating the transition to a regenerative, net-zero future.
