PROFESSIONALISM

SYBAss provides structures and processes that enable superyacht builders to get more out of their business environment.

Strategic intelligence

SYBAss produces two reports which provide exclusive information for members to empower and inform their individual strategic decision making.

The SYBAss Statistics Report is compiled on a biannual basis and is distributed among members to provide objective industry intelligence. The report contains information on the number of superyachts delivered over the past year and the number currently under construction. Trends in size, type and build material are also identified and further described.

The SYBAss Economic Report provides members with information on the world economy, developments in global wealth levels and their geographic distribution, and, most importantly, the status of their target audience: ultra-high net worth individuals. In short, the SYBAss Economic Report provides a deep understanding of the state of the world economy and its impact on buyers of superyachts, allowing members to better understand the superyacht market.

Studies

A mature industry has an accurate picture of its size, value and impact, and is able to present these numbers for advocacy purposes. The superyacht industry is now able to do this, thanks in part to examples from research conducted by SYBAss on behalf of its members.

Compensated gross tonnage

SYBAss commissioned a study to determine a compensated gross tonnage (CGT) factor for superyachts. Conducted by the renowned Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and verified by the University of Genoa in Italy, this indicator measures the amount of work that goes into the construction of a vessel. The study showed that the CGT factor for superyachts is substantially higher than for passenger vessels, with which superyachts are often lumped together. The result offered scientific proof of a point which the superyacht industry had been trying to bring across for some time and is now used to change the perceptions of experts active in other maritime industries as well as regulatory organisations.

Download the study
Economic impact

SYBAss published a global economic impact study in 2017 in cooperation with the highly respected Department of Spatial Economics at the VU University of Amsterdam. This study analysed the importance of the superyacht industry in three main sectors: 1) construction, 2) operations and 3) maintenance and refits. The study used conservative calculations and determined that the industry had an annual economic impact of €11.9 billion. This was made up of: new construction, valued at 4.3 billion; operational, valued at 4.6 billion; and maintenance and refit, valued at 3 billion. Note that this did not include onshore spending.

Download the study

Qualifications

SYBAss participates in the development of qualification programmes to further professionalise the industry. An example is the registered marine coatings inspector course, co-developed with and organised by the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS) in the UK. The course aims to educate coatings inspectors, who often have experience with other maritime vessels, on the specifics of the superyacht coatings processes, the high-end finish requirements and the standard way of report writing. Both shipyards and clients benefit from mitigating risks through a more transparent coatings process, including an objective assessment. Find certified RMCI inspectors and more information about the course.

SYBAss also supports the Guidelines for Excellence in Superyacht Training program (GUEST Program) which is governed under the International Association of Maritime Institutes (IAMI), recognising as we do that the first-class yachts built by our members are only enjoyed to their full potential when operated by a first-class crew. The GUEST Program provides an international-standard curriculum for professional crew training. Read more about the GUEST programme.