Changing Tides in the Maritime Industry: Why the Future of Yachting is Moving Away from Teak

For the uninitiated, the link between teak, a golden honey-brown wood, and the majestic allure of yachts might seem faint. However, one walk on a teak-decked yacht, feeling the grain of the elegant and instantly recognisable wood underfoot, would be enough to uncover this link. Truth be said, for many yacht owners, the thought of a yacht without a teak deck is simply unthinkable.

Yet however timeless and elegant teak might be, the world is changing, and so are attitudes towards teak usage. It may have been a beloved standard for years, but teak’s aesthetic legacy comes at a high environmental cost. Beyond its dwindling availability, the areas where teak is sourced — countries like Thailand, India, and Indonesia — are faced with rampant deforestation and illegal trade.

According to environmental research, about 75% of teak sourced from Myanmar is believed to be illegal, and around 40% of its exports go into yacht construction, highlighting the serious affect the industry has on deforestation issues. Large yachts, despite making up just 15% of the global fleet, contribute significantly to teak consumption, creating an unsustainable dependency and indicating the urgent need for alternatives.

The industry’s addiction to teak needs to be curbed as it approaches an expected spike in demand by 2028 and a projected peak in 2048, with an almost double increase of today’s requirement. In light of these facts, the once-revered teak is rapidly becoming a liability, and one that many in the industry can no longer afford to ignore.

In response to the mounting regulatory pressure and moral responsibility, the maritime industry must adapt and innovate. The burden of finding an alternative material that matches teak’s undeniable appeal yet doesn’t carry the heavy environmental price tag is undoubtedly challenging. However, if the industry is committed to a sustainable future, as it should be, it has to transition from teak to more eco-friendly materials.

The future of yachting may look different from the teak-decked dreams of yesteryears, but it promises to be just as elegant, only more responsible and kinder to our planet.