Maritime industry like-minded leaders advance transnational Superyacht Qualification Framework in Antibes. EU-backed consortium maps over 1,100 sector competencies and approves new accredited training courses to standardise career pathways
ANTIBES, FRANCE – 7 September 2026
Partners of the European Union co-funded Superyacht Qualification Framework (SYQF) consortium met on Monday 7 September 2026 at the International Yacht Club d’Antibes in France to review major milestones and approve key operational deadlines. The initiative, designed to standardise qualifications, address skills shortages, and clarify career progression across the maritime sector, has now mapped 80 specific industry roles, 1,122 responsibilities, and 1,106 individual competencies.
The meeting brought together maritime academies, professional crew associations, and industry bodies from France, Malta, Italy, and Greece, alongside international yachting organisations. Together with Consortium members, 3 visitors were also invited and contributed to the discussions. Special thanks to Mr Pierre Balzan from Melita Marine, Ms Japke Van Groning from Feadship and Mr Paul Flannery from IYBA.
Consortium members confirmed that the initial review of 289 training programmes is halfway complete. Crucially, the project will incorporate sustainability competencies by aligning with established European Union qualification frameworks. All consortium partners committed to finalising the verification of defined industry roles with employers and professionals soon.
“Establishing visible career pathways is a shared requirement across our member organisations,” stated Hein Velema of the Superyacht Alliance. “By mapping specific competencies across onboard positions, services, and the new-build and refit sectors, we are giving the superyacht industry a common, rigorous standard that will help attract and develop professional talent.”
Delegates also confirmed the completion of dedicated training course packages, covering sustainability, specifically the implementation of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), and diversity, equity, and inclusion in yachting. Both packages have been developed to the IAMI GUEST unit-specification standard, with formal accreditation reviews beginning immediately. Additionally, an outreach campaign launches this week to recruit at least 30 young participants across Malta, Italy, France, and Greece for a pilot ‘Superyacht Career Pathways’ introductory programme.
“A major challenge has been the lack of clear entry routes for new personnel,” said John Wyborn, Director at Bluewater. “The accredited training packages and entry-level courses we have approved will create structured routes into maritime employment, whilst helping operational vessels meet modern environmental and professional standards.”
The transnational meeting concluded with a site visit to the Bluewater training centre in Biot, followed by an evening industry event at the International Yacht Club d’Antibes attended by over 100 captains, crew, shipyard representatives, and maritime service providers. Consortium partners will commence the next major project phase—a wide-scale qualitative validation involving educators, human resources specialists, and industry employers— by the first quarter of 2027.
About the Superyacht Qualification Framework (SYQF)
The Superyacht Qualification Framework is a transnational project co-funded by the European Union. The initiative unites maritime training providers, representative associations, and higher education institutions to develop a standardised, transparent qualification matrix for the superyacht industry. Project partners include MaritimeMT from Malta as the leaders of the project, Bluewater from France, the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) from France, Metropolitan College from Greece, Italian Yacht Masters (IYSL) from Italy, the Superyacht Alliance from Malta and supported by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) from the UK.
