Greenline Yachts’ fleet in Slovenia. The Shipyard launched the first production hybrid in 2008

Greenline Yachts, a high-end motoryacht builder based in Slovenia is enhancing its commitment to responsible yachting, with several new initiatives in the works, including green awards and the use of sustainable building materials.

Greenline Yachts has always been determined to make yachting more sustainable. Since unveiling its first model, the 48, 10 years ago, it has delivered over 1,000 yachts, with its debut, Greenline 33, the first production hybrid, setting a new standard in sustainable design and quickly becoming a global bestseller.

New designs followed in the Greenline 40 Hybrid in 2011, a 48ft model, the Greenline 39, the 45, and the Greenline 58 Fly. These models introduced a new era of design, distinguishing between flybridge and coupe styling.

Aboard the 45 Fly, provides a roomy, elegant space

Flybridge models offered elegant exterior space, while the coupe preserved sleek lines and maximised solar arrays. Today, the range includes eight models from 39ft to 58ft LOA.

Vladimir Zinchenko, who owns Greenline Yachts, Slovenia’s largest yacht manufacturer

Shipyard owner Vladimir Zinchenko recognized the need for sustainable propulsion early on, developing the 6G H-Drive serial diesel-electric powertrain, now in its sixth generation. Zinchenko has said, “Our customers want to enjoy the natural world while preserving it. They value ecological responsibility and low environmental impact.”

He says inquiries about environmental impact are on the rise and knew more could be done.

The Greenline 48 Coupé cruiser features a solar roof

Now responsible yachting at Greenline also focuses on efficient design. Its “superdisplacement” hulls provide smooth rides, stability, and efficiency at various speeds. Operating in efficient displacement mode at 4-7 knots, yachts can cover 20-25 nautical miles on electric power alone. For longer trips, diesel engines extend range and charge batteries. Upon arrival, yachts can run silently on electric power for days.

Luca Raumland is Greenline Yachts’ CCO and notes a growing appetite for sustainable boating

“Batteries cover 48 hours of aircon and hotel loads in all our yachts, without ever needing to start the engine or a generator. But if you’re not using aircon, your stay can be unlimited, because the solar panels recharge the batteries sufficiently for all other on-board consumers.” says Luca Raumland, Chief Commercial Officer at Greenline Yachts.

“Every yacht has a big expanse of solar panels, lithium batteries and inverter as standard, and there’s the option to add more for full off-grid autonomy.”

Greenline Yachts’ philosophy of responsible yachting also extends to the construction process. High-tech foam sandwich used to strengthen the hull comes from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, and lay-up is through vacuum infusion, ensuring precise material use.

Practices at the Greenline shipyard are centred on eliminating single-use materials

The yard currently uses vinyl-ester resin exclusively, but technicians are experimenting with natural fibres and green resins in the lay-up of the yachts.

The shipyard is also working to reduce waste and power usage on production lines. Any offcuts of wood from the interior fit-out are collected and pressed into heating pellets, while leftover foam is reused by other companies to produce home insulation.

Production of single-use marketing materials has been almost eliminated and there is a focus on using recycled or sustainable materials.

Greenline brings together hybrid propulsion and sociable, family-focused layouts

“Navigating more than 250,000 miles on my own yacht, later working as a dealer for a sailing yacht brand, gave me a respect for our environment, but it also taught me about what boaters really want from a yacht,” said Zinchenko. “I have brought all that experience to bear in Greenline Yachts, assembling a skilled team to prove that you can build a beautiful yacht in a responsible fashion and still provide extreme comfort and a sense of total safety. We have done this by getting the very best out of our partners and suppliers.”

Other new initiatives empower owners to keep sustainability top of mind during their yachting experiences. To aid in this, Greenline delivers every new yacht with biodegradable green yacht wash that does no harm to the ocean, and has made owner’s manuals digital.

New awards will credit environmentally-forward owners

New Greenline Yachts awards, which will be held annually, will recognise owners who have made the biggest strides towards responsible yachting each year. Owners whose yacht has generated the greatest amount of solar power over that year, for instance, or has recorded the highest number of electric engine hours, will be awarded.
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