This article has been written by Oceanco for SuperYacht Times.

For a superyacht owner, protection of their asset’s value calls for an exigent approach to through-life maintenance. But this can only go so far. The choices made in original specification, design engineering and construction pedigree all play a part. And at a time where technology is advancing alongside the energy transition and the pursuit of Zero, future-proofing will become increasingly important. 

However, future-proofing does not only impact asset resale protection. Many owners are equally concerned with their yacht meeting sustainability ambitions relating to reduced footprint, reaching Zero, and avoiding becoming outdated in the face of changing future regulation. Committing to Change

As the lifespan of a superyacht can span three, four or more times that of a commercial ship, a yacht built today will need to be adaptable through the course of its lifetime. So should we be asking ourselves which technology and fuel to commit to when designing and then building this new yacht? In reality, the better question is probably to ask how we can create an adaptable architecture onboard so the yacht can be practically modified through the decades, in line with evolving and emerging Net Zero solutions. 

Future-proofing is something that is already being carried out by owners of ships in the commercial marine market, even with their far shorter lifespans. What is evident from observing market…