Earlier this year, we hosted the second edition of Innorvation ’26, our unique event in Norway. This time it was based in the maritime hub of Bergen, where DNV has a maritime R&D centre, Corvus has its battery-manufacturing centre and Norwegian Hull Club has its headquarters and situation room, all of which formed a key part of the experience.

In the countdown to Innorvation ‘26, we asked all of the VIP delegates to ask themselves the wide-open question ‘What if...?’ By the time we arrived in Bergen the diverse array of topics and questions raised gave us confidence that this valuable gathering of designers, naval architects, shipyard technical experts, yacht managers, experienced captains, environmental thinkers, project managers and owners’ reps would generate some dynamic and interesting ideas.

The following list is a sample of these pre-Innorvation What ifs..?, all of which are designed to trigger future conversations and opinion pieces in The Superyacht Report or SuperyachtNews.com in the future:

What if… we start looking at alternatives to traditional yacht paint? We can't justify the environmental impact of a full cycle of yacht paint for the long run.

What if… nuclear energy becomes so inexpensive that we will end up with an energy abundance?

What if…. fossil fuels were banned as means of propulsion on superyachts from 2030?

What if… speed limits were to be made obligatory in local jurisdictions and or territorial waters, thereby enforcing a reduction in energy consumption?

What if… science and technology are not the limiting factors in the adoption of meaningful innovation, but the invisible constraints shaping how we collaborate within commercial reality are. What would need to change to unlock progress at scale in the maritime sector?

What if… yachts were built to accommodate the right number of crew to match the expectations of owners, management and maintenance, all within MLC’s HoR?

What if… we look past energy and efficiency, what else can we innovate and improve – could it be the ecosystem, employment, enjoyment, (on-board) environment, experience etc?

What if… we reframed every client request, workshop problem and engineering road block with the three words: “How might we…” To start off with, how might we start looking at our industry innovations in a more holistic manner?

What if… the definition of luxury shifts from unlimited energy availability to a conscious use of energy, so we can fully enjoy what matters today without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same?

What if… next-generation solid-state battery density advances so rapidly by 2030 that the total system-volume of a battery powertrain undercuts a green methanol set-up?

The above sample list of What ifs…? demonstrated the intellect and creativity of those delegates due to attend Innorvation ’26, and rather than dig into these various individual questions during the event, we decided instead to take everyone on a unique journey by cable car to Bergen’s highest point, Mount Ulriken. Once at the top of the mountain, after a relaxed lunch and debrief, we split the group into very diverse teams and sent them off across the rocks in the stunning Norwegian blue sky and asked them to spend a few hours discussing and developing a unique What If..? with the “How Might We..?” strategy to add to the brainstorm, all under the strategic theme of Energy and Efficiency.

The following is Part V of a synopsis of the various ideas and innovations that came out of the team’s literal blue-sky thinking.

What if ... cross-border pleasure-yacht usage was banned?

This concept was slightly more obscure, but definitely triggered some interesting ideas. When you consider how the various regions of the world are treating superyacht visitation or looking to control or impose levies or penalties on visiting fleets, it’s an interesting perspective and would need some serious consideration. Clearly this would be a massive impact on freedom of movement.

Key elements of customer enjoyment of yachting would need to be maintained by the industry:
• Exclusivity
• Privacy
• Being at sea
• Beautiful anchorages
• Seascapes
• Fine dining
• Access to local beauty spot and points of interest

The team concluded that the concept of the private yacht would morph into something akin to a non-propelled floating island, moored in a chosen area, on an FBSO-type mooring, with services provided locally.

• Limited slots in areas of beauty
• Anchorages
• FBSO-type support
• Provision of all infrastructural services by local areas
• Some areas become more exclusive
• Government must demonstrate that there is state and local benefit from yachts
• Change in local perception of yachting
• Power and services provided locally
• Taxes paid locally, not where the money is made

The following is a series of strategic benefits identified by this blue-sky idea, that came out of their brainstorms on the rocks:

MANAGEMENT
• Easily rotational crew
• Different crew profile – more catering/land-base orientated
• Solves many traditional problems
• Operational costs reduced
• Opex 40 to 45 per cent payroll wages
• Ownership changes owner’s lease for five years
• Economic benefits locally
• Crew generally want to be in the same location for family reasons

FLAG
• Vessels are flagged in country of location
• Less competition between flag states
• Tax benefits change
• Towage provisions
• Some individuals might move to international waters to form an independent state

DESIGN
• Huge opportunities for design both interior/exterior
• Reduced R&P constraints in terms of hull form
• Reduced machinery/tech volumes
• On-board services – grey/black/electrical distribution

BUILDING
• Massive opportunities for builders
• Whole concept change to the yacht
• All emissions are lost
• Generate power onshore – solar/wind/nuclear
• Service vessels
• Yacht Island may relocate under tow
• Subsidiary shipyards would be set up – shipbuilders (island builders) in the Caribbean for example

INSURANCE
• Risk changes dramatically
• Increased mooring security
• Experience from offshore energy applied – known risks

Parts I, II, III and IV have already been published and the final Part VI will appear in the coming few days.

You can watch the video of this year’s event here, and if you’d like to join INNORVATION’27, somewhere in Norway, visit www.innorvation26.com and register your name.

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