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Marco Valle on Sustainable Superyacht Charters in Asia

Step aboard a 220-foot Benetti superyacht and the first sensation is not guilt — it is weightlessness. The teak deck stretches ahead of you, the South China Sea shimmers in every direction, and a steward appears with a chilled glass of Billecart-Salmon before you have even found your sea legs. Yet Marco Valle, CEO of the Azimut-Benetti Group, one of the world's most storied luxury yacht builders, wants you to think differently about that moment. Not less of it — differently. In the fourth instalment of our Voices for Change series, Valle makes a compelling case that the future of superyacht charters in Asia is not a compromise between indulgence and responsibility, but a reinvention of what indulgence means.

Why Sustainability and Superyachts Are No Longer Opposites

Valle is direct about the paradox his industry inhabits. A superyacht, by almost any measure, is a monument to excess: fuel consumption, carbon output, the sheer material weight of its construction. Yet Azimut-Benetti has committed to a roadmap that includes hybrid and full-electric propulsion systems, the use of sustainable composite materials, and a carbon-offsetting programme tied to every vessel that leaves its Italian shipyards. The group builds approximately 650 boats per year across its brands, making it the largest yacht manufacturer in the world by volume — and that scale, Valle argues, is precisely what gives the company the leverage to drive meaningful change across the entire supply chain.

In Asia, where the superyacht charter market has expanded dramatically over the past decade — particularly in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines — these commitments carry real weight. Charter clients in the region are increasingly younger, more environmentally aware, and more likely to ask pointed questions about a vessel's ecological footprint before signing a charter agreement. Valle sees this not as a threat to the business model, but as its evolution. "The client of tomorrow is not willing to sacrifice beauty or performance," he has said. "But they want to know that beauty has been built with conscience."

What the Azimut-Benetti Charter Experience Offers Asia's UHNW Travellers

For the Asia-based traveller planning an extraordinary long weekend, an Azimut or Benetti charter remains one of the most complete luxury experiences available. Itineraries out of Phuket can reach the Similan Islands within hours; a Bali-based charter opens up Komodo, Moyo Island, and the extraordinary dive sites of Raja Ampat within a week. The newer hybrid-equipped vessels in the fleet run near-silently at low speeds, which transforms the experience of anchoring in a quiet bay — no engine hum, no diesel scent, just the sound of the water and whatever the onboard chef is preparing in the galley below.

• Fleet highlight: Benetti Oasis 40M — hybrid-ready, four-cabin layout, range of 2,500 nautical miles
• Charter base options: Phuket, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong
• Typical weekly rate: From USD 95,000 to USD 400,000 depending on vessel size and season
• Sustainability feature: Solar panel arrays, waste heat recovery systems, and shore-power connectivity on newer builds

Azimut-Benetti Group
📍 Viareggio, Italy (with Asia charter partners in Phuket, Bali, and Singapore)
📞 Contact via authorised Asia-Pacific charter brokers
🌐 Website

The Broader Vision: Building Yachts That Outlast Their Owners

One of Valle's more striking arguments is about longevity. A superyacht built to last fifty years, maintained with care, and chartered by successive generations of clients has a far lower lifetime environmental cost than one built cheaply and retired in a decade. Azimut-Benetti's engineering philosophy has always prioritised durability, and Valle frames this now as an environmental as much as an aesthetic virtue. The group is also investing in research partnerships with European universities to develop bio-based resins and recyclable hull materials — technologies that, if proven at scale, could transform not just yacht-building but marine construction broadly.

For the discerning charter client in Asia, the practical takeaway is straightforward: ask your broker specifically about the propulsion system, the waste management protocols, and the vessel's build year before committing. The newest Benetti and Azimut hulls deliver a measurably quieter, cleaner, and more considered experience on the water — and in the most pristine marine environments of Southeast Asia, that difference is felt immediately and profoundly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Azimut-Benetti Group and why does it matter for Asia charter clients?

Azimut-Benetti is the world's largest luxury yacht manufacturer by volume, producing around 650 vessels annually across its Azimut and Benetti brands. For Asia charter clients, it matters because its fleet is widely available through regional brokers and its newer vessels incorporate hybrid and electric propulsion technology suited to the sensitive marine ecosystems of Southeast Asia.

How does a superyacht charter in Asia work for a long weekend?

Most Asia-based charters operate on a minimum of three to seven days. You work with a licensed charter broker to select a vessel, crew, and itinerary. The crew — typically including a captain, chef, and stewards — handles all logistics. Costs cover the vessel rate plus APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) for fuel, food, and port fees, typically an additional 30-35 percent of the base rate.

Why is sustainability becoming a priority for superyacht manufacturers like Azimut-Benetti?

Regulatory pressure from the EU and IMO, combined with shifting client expectations — particularly among younger ultra-high-net-worth individuals — is accelerating the shift. Azimut-Benetti has responded with hybrid propulsion systems, sustainable materials research, and carbon-offsetting programmes tied to each vessel's operational profile.

What are the best superyacht charter destinations in Asia for a weekend escape?

Phuket and the Andaman Sea remain the most accessible, with the Similan Islands reachable in a few hours. Bali offers access to Komodo National Park and Moyo Island. For the truly adventurous, Raja Ampat in West Papua is considered one of the world's premier marine biodiversity destinations and is reachable on a longer charter from Bali or Sorong.

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