French MPs seek total ban on superyachts over 50m

The MPs, from the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party, claim superyachts produce disproportionate greenhouse gas emissions, consume excessive resources, occupy public infrastructure for private luxury and symbolise carbon-intensive inequality.

Led by Thomas Portes, the MPs have laid out their proposal in Bill No. 2968 (Proposition de loi visant à interdire l’accès et l’usage des superyachts dans les eaux et ports français), which says the largest the largest private yachts have become ‘a symbol of climatic and social injustice’.

Under the proposed legislation, recreational yachts measuring 50 metres or longer would be banned from entering French seaports, occupying berths or even entering French territorial waters except in limited circumstances, including maritime distress, severe weather and medical emergencies.

The MPs argue that superyachts are ‘a symbol of climatic and social injustice’ combining exceptionally high greenhouse gas emissions with use by ‘an ultra-rich minority’. They say such vessels generate disproportionate environmental impacts while benefiting from public maritime infrastructure that is financed by taxpayers.

The bill would also empower courts to impose fines of between 1-15% of a vessel’s estimated value, order the seizure of offending yachts and prohibit vessels controlled by the same owner from returning to French waters for between five and 10 years. It would also introduce new transparency requirements covering ownership, operation and crew employment.

Likely objections

There is no indication that the bill has cross-party sponsorship, and it does not represent the policy of the French government.

Any such proposal would be likely to face strong opposition from the yachting industry, with France’s Mediterranean coast, particularly the Côte d’Azur, one of the world’s leading superyacht hubs, which support marinas, refit yards, engineering firms, provisioning companies, charter businesses and tourism.

Industry commentators quoted in French media say owners would be likely to relocate vessels to neighbouring destinations such as Monaco, Italy or Spain, reducing economic activity in France while doing little to reduce overall emissions because the yachts would continue operating elsewhere.

The bill must now complete the normal parliamentary process, including committee scrutiny and approval by both houses of Parliament, before it could become law.