The Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) has taken the final step towards being recognised as the representative of the superyacht industry by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Since receiving provisional consultative status two years ago, the members of the organisation have made contributions to the work of IMO.
This led to the association being granted full consultative status by the IMO Council, a decision endorsed by the IMO Assembly on December 4.
Over the last two years, the organisation’s secretariat has used its consultative status as an NGO to attend all relevant IMO committee meetings and provide detailed reports to members on regulatory developments.
Rules instigated by the IMO are often based on data assimilated on large merchant vessels, yet the design, construction and operation of a superyacht is somewhat different.
With full consultative status SYBAss will be in a position safeguard the interests of the superyacht sector in general whenever possible, especially in the areas of concern to yacht builders.
Actively participating in IMO committees, correspondence groups and working groups has for example affected new criteria for intact stability.
Noting that the initial criteria proposals were unsuitable for superyachts, SYBAss succeeded in having them amended to suit the size range and fine hull lines of superyachts.
Other areas of activity are the regulations for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and issues related to the International Tonnage Convention.