Sanlorenzo calls for acceleration of green methanol infrastructure as it leads cross-industry collaboration at Venice Climate Week

Sanlorenzo calls on European policymakers and ports at Venice Climate Week to accelerate investment in alternative fuels, as it outlines that the adoption of next-generation sustainable yachts will be shaped by the availability of energy infrastructure — not the pace of technological innovation.

Speaking at Venice Climate Week, Executive Chairman Massimo Perotti presents the “Venice Call for Maritime Action”, an initiative formalised through an open letter to Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and copied to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Mr Perotti will meet with Commissioner Rosewall on Monday, 8 June, to formally present the letter. The initiative has already attracted support from across the maritime ecosystem, including SYBAss, representing the worldwide superyacht industry, Professor Flavio Manenti of Politecnico di Milano, a leading authority on sustainable industrial processes, together with signatories from marine technology, energy and sustainability organisations.

In the letter Perotti sets out a clear position, writing: “The technology is ready. The challenge now is ensuring infrastructure and fuel availability evolve in parallel, so these innovations can be fully realised.” Adding: “Without the necessary infrastructure — across ports, marinas and supply chains — adoption cannot scale.” As one of the world’s leading yacht builders above 24 metres, Sanlorenzo has invested early in innovative propulsion technologies as part of its strategy “Road to 2030”, positioning the company at the forefront of innovation in the sector.

Sanlorenzo is a Founding Partner of Venice Climate Week, with its cultural hub Casa Sanlorenzo serving as one of the host venues of the event. Its 2026 theme “Planet Aqua, Planet Peace” expands the role of water from a natural resource to a defining infrastructure of the 21st century, shaping climate resilience, urban systems and global stability. Sanlorenzo is engaging directly with the week’s central moment, the Planet Aqua – World Blue Community Forum, which convenes mayors of water-based cities, governments, scientists and industry leaders to develop actionable strategies for the future of coastal regions. In this context, the company has called on the mayors and city leaders in attendance to support the development of green methanol infrastructure across key maritime destinations.

Sanlorenzo has made significant progress in the development of bi-fuel methanol technology. However, the pace of adoption will be shaped by the availability of electrification infrastructure and new fuels across key maritime and yachting destinations, particularly in the Mediterranean, where supply remains limited and largely unavailable across leading marinas. This reflects a broader shift in the industry. Today, less than one percent of global methanol production is derived from renewable sources, with supply largely concentrated in major industrial hubs such as Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, and not yet accessible across the Mediterranean yachting ecosystem.

During his address, Perotti will introduce the “Venice Call for Maritime Action. The letter calls for alignment across industry, infrastructure and policy, recognising that while propulsion technologies are advancing, their deployment depends on coordinated progress across energy providers, ports and policymakers. It also establishes an ongoing dialogue, with a proposed six-month progress exchange and a reconvening at the next edition of Venice Climate Week to assess developments in fuel availability and infrastructure. “We are entering a new phase in the transition to sustainable mobility at sea,” says Massimo Perotti, Executive Chairman of Sanlorenzo. “Innovation is advancing rapidly. The priority now is to ensure that infrastructure and fuel availability evolve in parallel, so these technologies can be fully realised.”

“Yachting has the opportunity to lead by making sustainability both viable and desirable — but this requires alignment across the entire ecosystem.” Casa Sanlorenzo continues to serve as a platform for cross-industry dialogue, bringing together leaders from technology, design and policy during Venice Climate Week through a programme of Sanlorenzo Talks. Sanlorenzo continues to advance its roadmap to 2030, centred on the integration of new propulsion and energy technologies across its yacht portfolio. This includes the development of bi-fuel methanol propulsion systems following the introduction of the 50Steel Almax in 2024, the first superyacht to feature a methanol reformer fuel cell system, marking a significant step in the evolution of the company’s superyacht range. Bluegame, a brand of Sanlorenzo, has also developed the BGH-HSV (Hydrogen Support Vessel), a 10-metre, 50-knot hydrogen-powered foiling multihull that served as a chase boat for the 37th America’s Cup sailing at zero-emission.

By aligning innovation with real-world usability, Sanlorenzo is helping to set the direction for a more sustainable future in yachting. For enquiries on our road to 2030 efforts, please connect with our team at marketing@sanlorenzoapac.com.