Largest edition of The Superyacht Forum opens with call to be bold and think differently
The Superyacht Forum greeted a record number approaching 900 delegates as it opened its doors for a packed programme within the atmospheric setting of RAI Amsterdam’s Auditorium. Visionary author of The Blue Economy, Gunter Pauli, set the scene for the two days in his opening keynote, encouraging the superyacht sector to be better than they ever thought they could be and drive for brilliantly creative and innovative solutions to sustainability.
Monday, 17 November 2025
Pauli is no stranger to creating striking examples of entrepreneurship through innovation. He hit the ground running with examples of how you can create high value in business by completely rethinking the way that you approach requirements for more community and environmentally sound solutions. Associated with several high-profile initiatives over the years, including the phosphate free cleaning products company Ecover, he declared that your business model is the most important innovation.
The keynote then moved to matters close to the heart of the superyacht sector. Pauli explained that he became interested in the oceans because he realised, they not only cover 71% of the earth’s surface but also supported 91% of all life and that they were a huge mystery with many things to be discovered. He also highlighted the huge potential of the superyacht sector with only 1 in 100 people who can afford a superyacht owning one.
Pauli spoke with passion about his own research ship, the 32m hydrogen, solar and kite-powered Porrima which (as PlanetSolar) circumnavigated the globe under solar alone in 2012. He spoke about plans to create a whole fleet of 100 vessels based on a similar design and size, the first 10-12 of which will be used as hospital ships in among the oceans’ island communities.
Pauli explained that practical solutions for sustainable propulsion were already achieved and that their biggest holdback was now communications and dependency on commercial satellite services. The Porrima team have adapted AM radio technology to be able to send text messages at up to 500km and richer media over shorter distances. They are also developing underwater light communications at wavelengths invisible to sea life which Pauli declared would remain only used for strictly civilian purposes. Underpinning these ideas are swarm technologies that create a mesh of communications among collaborating stations that can be used over much greater distances and convey data in complete confidentiality.
“A whole range of new opportunities will mark and shape the yacht industry,” Pauli declared. “You will have the eyes and ears to be able to share and operate with your own communications.”
“Just imagine you have 500 vessels in the Pacific and you set up a common system for relaying AM radio. You can cover the oceans without satellites. Superyachts can become the communication company – as long as you collaborate.”
In closing, Pauli encouraged The Superyacht Forum’s delegates to be entrepreneurs of the commons –prioritising community and collective benefit over private profit. “We don’t need education, we need inspiration. Then you can transform this great industry into one that has an impact and the world will love you.”
This year’s NXT-themed agenda is firmly centred on how to successfully propel the superyacht sector into the next decade and beyond. Key focal points include Synergy & Solutions, Operational Excellence & Trust, and Superyacht Standards & Evolution. There will also be a keenly anticipated report on the positive economic impact of the superyacht sector globally.
“People are our most important asset. If people are happy and feel safe, they will excel and maintain that crucial eye for detail. So, over these two packed days, I have one request – seek each other out. Discuss the latest market trends and the innovations. But also take a moment, look someone in the eye, and simply ask: ‘How are you doing?’ Making that personal connection is at the heart of The Superyacht
Forum’s NXT-focused 2025 agenda and it will enable our industry to thrive and drive forward.”
The keynote then moved to matters close to the heart of the superyacht sector. Pauli explained that he became interested in the oceans because he realised, they not only cover 71% of the earth’s surface but also supported 91% of all life and that they were a huge mystery with many things to be discovered. He also highlighted the huge potential of the superyacht sector with only 1 in 100 people who can afford a superyacht owning one.
Pauli spoke with passion about his own research ship, the 32m hydrogen, solar and kite-powered Porrima which (as PlanetSolar) circumnavigated the globe under solar alone in 2012. He spoke about plans to create a whole fleet of 100 vessels based on a similar design and size, the first 10-12 of which will be used as hospital ships in among the oceans’ island communities.
Pauli explained that practical solutions for sustainable propulsion were already achieved and that their biggest holdback was now communications and dependency on commercial satellite services. The Porrima team have adapted AM radio technology to be able to send text messages at up to 500km and richer media over shorter distances. They are also developing underwater light communications at wavelengths invisible to sea life which Pauli declared would remain only used for strictly civilian purposes. Underpinning these ideas are swarm technologies that create a mesh of communications among collaborating stations that can be used over much greater distances and convey data in complete confidentiality.
“A whole range of new opportunities will mark and shape the yacht industry,” Pauli declared. “You will have the eyes and ears to be able to share and operate with your own communications.”
“Just imagine you have 500 vessels in the Pacific and you set up a common system for relaying AM radio. You can cover the oceans without satellites. Superyachts can become the communication company – as long as you collaborate.”
In closing, Pauli encouraged The Superyacht Forum’s delegates to be entrepreneurs of the commons –prioritising community and collective benefit over private profit. “We don’t need education, we need inspiration. Then you can transform this great industry into one that has an impact and the world will love you.”
Better as well as bigger
The Superyacht Forum is undoubtedly the largest edition in its history. But far from resting on its laurels, the 2025 programme features a series of improvements including additional time for networking, a new match-making app, open floor brainstorming sessions on operational safety and recruitment, and increased audience involvement in the panel discussions throughout the two days.This year’s NXT-themed agenda is firmly centred on how to successfully propel the superyacht sector into the next decade and beyond. Key focal points include Synergy & Solutions, Operational Excellence & Trust, and Superyacht Standards & Evolution. There will also be a keenly anticipated report on the positive economic impact of the superyacht sector globally.
Focus on people
Speaking at the opening of The Superyacht Forum, conference manager Patricia Becker emphasised the importance of people to the superyacht sector as well as the technologies that make it possible: “An eye for detail is what defines the superyacht industry. And those details, whether in the build, refit and maintenance process or management of the ship and its guests onboard, are the work of people.“People are our most important asset. If people are happy and feel safe, they will excel and maintain that crucial eye for detail. So, over these two packed days, I have one request – seek each other out. Discuss the latest market trends and the innovations. But also take a moment, look someone in the eye, and simply ask: ‘How are you doing?’ Making that personal connection is at the heart of The Superyacht
Forum’s NXT-focused 2025 agenda and it will enable our industry to thrive and drive forward.”
