With environmentally sound production values, Marrea Yachts is looking to change the yacht-building industry for a new generation
After hiring a yacht during a family holiday in Hawaii, Mauricio Barrera made a vow. An entrepreneur, engineer and architect who had overseen more than 30 sustainable building projects in South America, he was transfixed by the calm of the ocean and excited by the potential of naval architecture. His promise was to leave commercial construction to design luxury-driven marine products, introducing a new sustainable philosophy to the industry. At this point, Marrea Yachts was born.
“We can impact the industry and the environment by obtaining luxury through sustainable materials,” says Mauricio, whose goal is to build high-end, handcrafted, artisan yachts, implementing eco-friendly materials in each limited edition design, revising designs every five to six years in order to be fresh and unique to the market and clients. “We will have an open book when it comes to sustainability: we will communicate what we do. Through our commitment to this, we hope we can encourage more companys to take a closer look at sustainability, too.”
From its US headquarters in Florida, Marrea Yachts will introduce to the world the MIAMI 46, a limited-edition 46-foot open yacht, of which only 46 units will be built. With sales starting in October 2023, delivery is set for autumn 2024. The company also has plans for a sustainable catamaran to be available in 2026.
Marrea’s responsible practices include the design and construction of the vessels, with a focus on wood engineered hulls rather than fibreglass, green surfaces, green interiors and clean energy. This interesting mixture of luxury, sustainability, durability and limited edition design seeks to reduce the current depreciation rates of yachts compared to traditional models. “Our goal is to extend the yachts’ life cycle and generate value in time.”
The company evaluates and introduces sustainable materials that outperform traditional high-end versions. “We want to create a better quality product, returning to a handmade process. The advantage of having such green high-quality materials and finishes is to introduce sustainability at a level never before seen in the marine industry. For us, longevity is the ultimate in sustainability.”
In the past, Mauricio had to demonstrate an ability to construct environmentally friendly buildings in the face of industry scepticism. Now, he is looking forward to the challenges presented by yachting. “People have the wrong perception of green materials. They believe they are just eco-friendly, but we look for performance, durability, quality and interesting materials that can build a better yacht.”
Mauricio’s environmental credentials are solid, with 20 years’ experience of sustainable commercial and residential projects, including LEED certified buildings. This knowledge guides him in sustainable design, construction and operations. “Our philosophy is green at all levels: we will always design green products, and our facility will produce clean energy while reducing its environmental impact, waste generation, and water and energy consumption. As for our construction process, it will include the use of green materials, reduce air pollution, minimise waste and encourage recycling. We will educate our clients, stakeholders and suppliers on environmentally friendly procedures that benefit us all. It is not only about building a yacht, but also generating a philosophy of innovation, creativity and sustainability.
www.marreayachts.com