Italy’s Ferretti Group has released its first sustainability report on corporate operations. The document outlines the Group’s pathway to minimising the environmental impact of its production processes and yachts, while promoting wider-ranging corporate social responsibility measures.
Following a materiality analysis that identified the topics with the greatest impact on business activities and the indicators to evaluate them, Ferretti Group will assess environmental and social performance across four key sectors: its yachts, the production process, value for the local area and human capital.
Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, said: “In recent years, Ferretti Group has reported rapid growth and development, but successful sales efforts must go hand in hand with corporate responsibility.
“If we want to continue to grow steadily as a market leader, it is essential to address the economic, environmental and social impacts produced by our activities on the local areas where we operate. To testify to our corporate responsibility, we have embarked on our first sustainability report, a first for the Italian marine industry.”
For its yachts, Ferretti Group’s research and development focus on the use of high-performance sustainable materials and reducing energy consumption. The wood used in interiors is sourced from certified forests managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.
The use of carbon-fibre significantly reduces hull weight, resulting in more efficient yachts that consume less fuel. The Group is also researching hybrid engines and new technologies that reduce hull weight, while last year, CRN obtained IMO Tier III certification for its 62m superyacht Voice, becoming the first builder in Italy to achieve this milestone.
In terms of shipyard activities, the ISO 14001 certification of the environmental management systems at the La Spezia site is the starting point for integrated management of the environmental impact of all production processes. In the Ancona site, a trigeneration plant has been installed to produce clean electric power, heating and cooling.
Ferretti Group’s third fundamental focus is the social sphere, including the impact on the local area and the entire supply chain. Over 85 per cent of Ferretti Group’s supply chain, which employs more than 2,500 workers, is based in Italy and over 75 per cent of the total economic value generated is distributed in the country.
As a result of measures including complete sanitisation of the production process right through to delivery, Ferretti Group has obtained RINA Biosafety Trust Certification, the first voluntary certification to prevent and control infections, protecting over 1,500 workers as well as customers.
In the human capital sector, the Group has taken out an insurance policy covering all employees and providing protection in the event they test positive for Covid. The policy, which has been renewed for 2021, is joined by another initiative to distribute 1,500 pulse oximeters to employees.
The pulse oximeter project was developed with the advice of Professor Luca Richeldi, Head of Pneumology at Rome’s Policlinico Gemelli hospital and a member of the Scientific Technical Committee. Last March, with Ferretti Group, he defined the healthcare plan introduced to tackle the most critical phase of the pandemic.
Galassi added: “We work with many different stakeholders. Their sustainability needs and expectations are important in defining the measures we introduce to manage and mitigate the impact of our growth strategies.”