From Monaco to Japan: SEA Index expands its global Marina network with Japan Marina & Beach Association
The Superyacht Eco Association SEA Index announces a strategic partnership with the Japan Marina & Beach Association (JMBA), marking its first institutional alliance in the Asia‑Pacific region and a new chapter in the international deployment of measurable, third-party verified sustainability standards in yachting.
As an Institutional Member, JMBA adds its portfolio of 87 marinas to the SEA Index superyacht ecosystem, which already comprises 25 major superyacht ports and marinas. Surpassing the 100‑marina mark, the network is approaching a tipping point, where shared verifiable standards and transparent data begin to reshape norms and accelerate the adoption of better environmental practices in yachting.
Connecting Two Maritime Cultures
The Japan Marina & Beach Association (JMBA) was established with the authorization of the Minister of Transport and has, for more than fifty years, coordinated a nationwide network of marinas and coastal facilities. While historically focused on safety, quality and accessibility of marine leisure, JMBA is now reinforcing its environmental ambition by integrating internationally recognised sustainability benchmarks.
Initial discussions began in 2025, when a JMBA delegation visited the Yacht Club de Monaco, identifying a strong convergence with the SEA Index approach. This alignment was formally confirmed during a signing ceremony held on April 15, 2026, in Monaco.
Through this partnership, Monaco’s experience in environmental measurement and decarbonisation strategies meets Japan’s operational excellence in marina management, creating a practical bridge between two leading maritime cultures.
A Framework Born in Monaco, Designed for Global Impact
Originally founded by the Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with Credit Suisse (now part of UBS Group), SEA Index® was created to address a critical gap in the yachting sector: the absence of an independent, scientifically robust tool to assess and compare the environmental impact of yachts.
Developed as a third‑party verified framework, SEA Index enables yacht owners, captains, shipyards, marinas and financial institutions to move beyond intention and towards measurable, comparable and actionable environmental performance, with a clear focus on CO₂ certified by Lloyd’s Register, Air Quality (Nox & Particulate Matter) and Underwater Radiated Noise.
Today, the SEA Index® network spans multiple countries and stakeholders, offering a common language and credible methodology to support the transition of the superyacht industry.
From Certification to Incentives
As an Institutional Member, JMBA will actively promote SEA Index® certification across its marina network. This includes the visibility of official SEA Index emblems, awareness initiatives, and the gradual integration of sustainability‑linked incentives.
Yachts holding a SEA Index certification may benefit from preferential berthing conditions and other environmental advantages within participating marinas of the international SEA Index network, encouraging responsible choices while reinforcing transparency.
Leadership Perspectives quotes:
Bernard d’Alessandri, President of SEA Index and Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, commented:
“Anchored within our collective initiative “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting”, SEA Index® was conceived as a practical tool to bring clarity and credibility to environmental performance in yachting. Welcoming the Japan Marina & Beach Association into our network confirms that this approach resonates far beyond Monaco and the Mediterranean. What matters is not where a yacht sails, but how responsibly it does so. This partnership demonstrates that shared metrics can unite very different maritime cultures around the same objective: measurable progress.”
Kiichiro Kumazawa, President of KMC Corporation and President of Japan Marina＆Beach Association, added:
“Until now, Japanese marinas and yachting culture have developed primarily as places to enjoy the sea. Today, however, we are being called upon to move to the next stage—one that asks how we can coexist with the sea. The clear and internationally shareable benchmarks presented by the SEA Index® are an essential tool that moves environmental consideration beyond philosophy and into practical action. This partnership stands as proof that two distinct maritime cultures, Japan and Monaco, have come together through shared values and measurable standards. I believe it represents a major step forward in the evolution of sustainable marina management and boating culture in Japan. Going forward, we are committed to embedding the principles of the SEA Index into on-site practices across Japan and to fostering a marine environment and yachting culture that future generations can be proud of.”
An Expanding International Network
With JMBA becoming its first Asia‑Pacific institutional partner, SEA Index continues to extend its reach beyond Europe, complementing a network that already includes marinas across Monaco, France, Italy, the Seychelles, the Caribbean and other key yachting destinations.
Together, SEA Index® partners form a collaborative ecosystem committed to mitigating impact through shared standards, incentives and continuous improvement, contributing to a more responsible, future‑proof global yachting sector.
