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Azimut-Benetti enlarges scope with SEA Index
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The Azimut-Benetti Group will adopt the Superyacht Eco Association’s Index emissions rating for 24m-plus yachts, a market sector the Italian shipyard has led for 25 years.
Azimut Grande 36M
The Azimut-Benetti Group has announced that it will adopt the SEA Index CO2 emissions rating tool for all its yachts over 24m. The SEA Index is a CO2 certification programme for 24m-plus yachts based on the International Maritime Organisation’s EEDI and EEXI. The Index is managed by the Superyacht Eco Association (SEA), a non-profit organisation launched by the Yacht Club de Monaco in 2020.
Azimut-Benetti started collaborating with the Superyacht Eco Association in 2023, as the Italian shipyard commissioned Lloyd’s Register to develop a similar carbon-emission index for sub-24m yachts.
However, this latest partnership with the Superyacht Eco Association means all Azimut-Benetti Group’s 24m-plus yachts will be rated by the SEA Index, which was specifically created for superyachts. The certification calculates the carbon emissions of full-custom and semi-custom yachts, and provides a rating of one to five stars based on each boat’s “relative environmental performance … compared to industry benchmarks”.
The SEA Index can be used by owners or captains to assess the energy intensity of their vessels, while builders can support eco-conscious boat design and construction by integrating a SEA Index framework into the concept phase of new-build yachts. Azimut-Benetti builds more than 45 yacht models in six shipyards and has over 2,000 employees.
Alessandro Rossi, Chief Product Officer Azimut-Benetti Group, said: “We are thrilled to partner with SEA Index to reinforce our commitment to sustainable yacht design by validating our yachts’ emission targets through SEA Index’s rigorous framework.
Benetti’s 67m custom-built Kasper 7
“Achieved through advanced naval architecture and cutting-edge technologies, these targets reflect our dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, we believe this collaboration will encourage greater transparency in data sharing, fostering a more conscious approach among industry players and yacht owners alike.”
Azimut-Benetti has led the Global Order Book for 24m-plus yachts for 25 consecutive years and was listed in the 2025 edition as having 164 units under construction with a total length of 5,905m. Natalie Quévert, Project Lead, SEA Index, said the Italian shipyard’s adoption of the SEA Index was a “big recognition of our work”.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Azimut-Benetti Group on this important initiative. It is encouraging to see esteemed industry leaders embracing the SEA Index CO2 emissions rating tool to prioritise sustainability from the outset,” Quévert said.
“Similarly, we look forward to incorporating Azimut’s formula for measuring carbon emissions of yachts under 24m into the SEA Index ecosystem. Together, we can drive meaningful change in the industry and empower yachting stakeholders to embrace a more sustainable future.”
SEA Index is the only superyacht design index to offer third-party verification. Certificate holders that achieve three stars or higher on the SEA Index are invited to join the SEA Index network, which provides access to exclusive benefits, including priority berthing.
