Striking a Balance between Luxury and Sustainability: How Prestigious Yacht Builders are Pioneering Eco-friendly Teak Alternatives

Sailing into a future where sustainability intersects with luxury, leading yacht builders Oceanco, Feadship, and Lürssen are working untiringly to develop sustainable alternatives to teak. Yet, when an ingrained tradition is challenged, the seeds of resistance are sure to sprout. Crafting a yacht from teak, a symbol of ultimate opulence in the industry, is a centuries-old practice, akin to the grandeur of the high seas themselves. But as the future beckons, it becomes clear that change is not merely advisable, but obligatory. Sensing the shifting seas ahead, Oceanco commenced research into teak alternatives nearly half a decade ago, anticipating the need for radical innovation. After all, ‘If you can get it, you can use it’ had begun to fade as a viable adage, as sourcing teak turned into a complicated ball game. Covering an array of domains from decking to interiors and exterior fixtures, the Dutch shipyard’s holistic approach gave teak a prominent role in their masterpieces. Therefore, shifting gears from this core material doesn’t result merely in a ripple, but a tsunami of necessary shifts in established systems. When Alan Coleman, Head of Interior Design and Outfitting at Oceanco, and Wim Verhoeff, Head of Sales, reflect on the journey, they recount being cognisant that the days of teak’s undisputed reign were numbered. The biggest hurdle, they explain, lies in replacing teak, a non-slip surface par excellence, with a substitute up to par, without forgoing the yacht’s visual allure. Each new candidate brings its quirks, presenting a unique challenge in regard to its installation, maintenance, and time-tested performance. While the decking is the most apparent area teak adorns, its usage transcends to include cladding, interior elements, and even structural features, elevating them all to an emblem of luxury. The oft-repeated sentiment of Verhoeff is echoed across the industry: a yacht is not a yacht without teak. However, the winds of change are building momentum. As more people navigate away from the timeworn reliance on teak, sustainable alternatives are stepping into the limelight. Striking a chord between luxury and sustainability, yacht builders like Oceanco pave the way for a future where luxury yachting and sustainability sail hand in hand.