Insights from the Superyacht Design Festival 2026

Theme 1: Tomorrow’s billionaires

As global wealth begins to transfer to a younger generation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the yachting industry is already adapting. Millennials (born 1981–1996) and Gen Z (1997–2012) are approaching yachts less as traditional status symbols and more as platforms for experience, wellbeing, and exploration – a fundamental shift that is influencing both design and ownership models.

This generational perspective was underscored at the festival by Gen Z commentator Jenk Oz, who highlighted that Gen Z is set to become the largest, wealthiest, and highest-spending generation by 2035. Whether through inheritance or the rapid growth economics of tech and influence-driven markets, a substantial transfer of wealth is imminent – and it should not be underestimated.

These values are already evident in new build briefs, which Rory and our team of new construction experts are seeing in practice. Wellness facilities, adaptable social spaces, and layouts that support extended time on board are no longer niche requests but standard considerations. Remote working has further reshaped priorities, with discreet office spaces and robust on board communications – including systems like Starlink – now factoring into early design discussions.

Theme 2: Designing together

Superyacht design has always been collaborative, but the most successful projects today are those where integration across disciplines is truly embedded. Designers, naval architects, shipyards, artisans, and specialist suppliers must work in harmony from the outset to achieve cohesive and long-lasting results.

Owners are also becoming far more involved in the process. Some relocate for months during refits (such as the owner of NO DESTINATION, who moved to the Netherlands during his yacht’s 30 month refit), while others take time to create relationships with artists and craftspeople behind bespoke commissioned pieces. The result? A yacht that feels genuinely personal and perfectly suited to its owner’s lifestyle.

A key perspective on this collaborative reality came from Kai Dittmar, CEO of Metrica, a turnkey outfitter specialising in interiors and complex refit and build projects like the extension of HERE COMES THE SUN.

Theme 3: Green yacht power

Sustainability continues to dominate discussions, with alternative fuels and propulsion systems taking centre stage. While ambition is high, adoption remains uneven, shaped by regulation, infrastructure, and understandable owner caution around emerging technologies.

That said, progress is already being made. Several speakers pointed to solutions that are viable today, alongside others that remain firmly on the horizon. Advances in battery technology are one such area that was a topic of discussion, with next-generation solid-state and graphene-based systems offering safer operation, longer lifespans, and greater usable capacity than conventional lithium-ion batteries. These technologies are particularly relevant for superyachts, which spend the majority of their time at anchor, powering hotel loads rather than propulsion.

Looking further ahead, discussions around small modular nuclear reactors prompted some of the festival’s most provocative debate. From a purely engineering and environmental perspective, nuclear power offers compelling advantages: zero-emission operation, compact footprints, and theoretically unlimited range. However, as several speakers acknowledged, the greatest barrier is unlikely to be technical.

Public perception, regulatory complexity, and cultural acceptance remain significant hurdles. While the technology itself is advancing rapidly, widespread adoption will depend on a broader shift in mindset – one that will take time to evolve.

For owners and advisors alike, Rory points to the challenge of distinguishing between what is achievable today and what remains aspirational, and translating sustainability ambitions into practical, credible solutions that align with real-world use.