Project Phantom,
can sustainable yachting be done?
The yacht industry is changing, both on the short and long term. Already in 2026, 60% of the luxury market customers is represented by millennials. They are more conscious; they want to take care of the planet, of themselves and take care of other people. These new type of customers in combination with the global strive to reduce climate change result in the yacht industry moving towards a more sustainable future. But is it moving fast enough? What if we do not look at it from a problem perspective but rather look at the opportunities that this sway gives us. What happens if we use this industry as an example for others and show what is truly capable when you take sustainability & nature at the core of the project.
In the design and development of PHANTOM, a holistic approach was taken to answer the question on what a desirable, enjoyable and sustainable superyacht in 2050 might look like. This vision uses innovations and sustainable design principles to embrace nature at the core of its design. Next to that, it presents that when yacht designers look further then only the yacht itself it will provide benefits for both their clients, the local communities and the exact environment that the industry itself depends on.
Within nature, an organism rarely lives in isolation. Most of the times it works together with its surroundings to live, grow and develop itself. And it does so in mutually interdependent bonds with other organisms. Organisms depend on each to live and be successful. It can be said that modern day superyachts are the quite the opposite. They benefit of the surroundings but do almost nothing in return. Project PHANTOM is different.
By looking further then the superyacht itself and by focusing on local produced products one can create a sustainable “ecosystem” where the superyacht functions as a motivator for third parties. Its wealth and needs can be used as a motivator to demand food suppliers, restaurants, marinas etc. to become more sustainable themselves. Yachts like PHANTOM will take away the threshold for these stakeholders to make the switch. Which will continue the prosperity of these coastal destinations and communities.
In collaboration with
"You have significantly developed your yacht design skills given the short timeframe"
“I think that project & mindset wise you
hit the nail on its head.”
Personal Development
Personally, this graduation project is much more then a future vision. It is the first time that I implemented my Industrial Design knowledge within a Yacht Design process.
By working together with award winning yacht designers I got an understanding of how a superyacht is developed and built. Furthermore, by having an hands-on approach I was able to learn how to work with essential tools like Rhino, Twinmotion and VR within four months by myself. I like a challenge and I am looking forward to continue this steep learning curve as a designer.