Beyond Luxury: Natalie Quévert on Why the Future of Yachting Depends on Trust, Data and Responsibility
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
The General Secretary of SEA Index explains why the biggest obstacle to sustainable yachting is no longer technology—but the absence of clear rules.
Luxury has long defined the public image of yachting. Yet behind the gleaming hulls and prestigious shipyards, another transformation is quietly taking place.
As new fuels, artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape the industry, a fundamental question remains unanswered: how do we measure sustainability—and who decides what "green" really means?
At the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, Ad Astra Journal spoke with Natalie Quévert, General Secretary of SEA Index, the environmental benchmarking initiative created by the Yacht Club de Monaco. During our conversation, she explained why the next decade will be defined less by breakthrough technologies than by transparency, measurable impact and shared standards.
Interview by Anastasiia Lutcenko
Ad Astra Journal : Yachting is often associated with luxury. Can it also become a symbol of environmental leadership?
Natalie Quévert : I believe it can, but we are still in a transition period. The industry is investing in remarkable projects. We've seen experiments with hydrogen, methanol and many other technologies. The challenge is that manufacturers still lack regulatory certainty. They don't yet know which technologies will become the long-term standard. Innovation is moving quickly, but regulation has not yet caught up.
Ad Astra Journal : What is the biggest cultural change currently taking place in the yachting industry?
Natalie Quévert : People often speak about yacht owners as though they were all the same.
They're not. Some are genuinely committed to reducing their environmental impact. Others are more hesitant. Just like any other group in society.
The key is making sustainable choices simple, practical and beneficial. When people immediately see the value—and when those choices don't become an additional burden—they are much more willing to embrace change.
Ad Astra Journal : Artificial intelligence and real-time data are transforming almost every industry. How do you see their role in yachting?
Natalie Quévert : Data will become increasingly valuable. What matters is that owners, captains and fleet managers don't simply produce data—they actually use it.
The future lies in helping people understand their own environmental performance so they can make informed decisions. Data should empower people, not overwhelm them.
Ad Astra Journal : The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge brings together students, engineers, startups and major industry players. How important is that ecosystem?
Natalie Quévert : It's essential.
Take NEMO as an example. Their data logger was originally developed for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Now that technology is being adapted for yachts. This is exactly why these events matter.
Students test ideas. Industry provides feedback. Innovation becomes reality.
Ad Astra Journal : Monaco is increasingly recognised as a laboratory for maritime innovation. What makes the Principality different?
Natalie Quévert : We're small. And that's our strength. Ideas move quickly here.
Decision-making is direct. If something works, we move forward. If it doesn't, we learn and try something else. That agility allows Monaco to experiment in ways that are much more difficult elsewhere.
Ad Astra Journal : If you could change just one thing in the global yachting industry over the next decade, what would it be?
Natalie Quévert : I would like every yacht to display its environmental impact in exactly the same way cars display their emissions today. Owners deserve to know the environmental footprint of a yacht before making a purchase. That transparency should become the norm—not the exception.
Ad Astra Journal : SEA Index has recently expanded its scope beyond superyachts. Why is that important?
Natalie Quévert : Until now, we focused mainly on yachts over 24 metres.
Yesterday, we announced that the SEA Index now also applies to boats from 10 metres. That changes everything. For the first time, environmental assessment becomes accessible to a much larger part of the boating community—not only superyacht owners.
Ad Astra Journal : Looking twenty years ahead, what do you hope SEA Index will have achieved?
Natalie Quévert : I hope we will finally see emissions beginning to decrease. The number of boats will almost certainly continue to grow. Our challenge is making sure their environmental impact moves in the opposite direction.
Ad Astra Journal: One final question. If you had to describe the future of sustainable yachting in just one word, what would it be?
Natalie Quévert : Responsibility.
