Teak has long been the preferred decking material for luxury yacht builders and owners because of how well it withstands harsh marine conditions. But according to the BBC, the industry is now racing to find alternatives as supplies tighten and legal risks increase.
Much of the world’s teak comes from old-growth forests in Myanmar. Sanctions against the country’s military government make importing this wood illegal in the US, the UK, and the EU. At the same time, concerns about unsustainable harvesting practices have raised alarms about the long-term future of these forests. “We are in danger of losing old-growth teak forests, which are part of a valuable ecosystem,” said Walter Kollert of the nonprofit group TEAKNET.
Shipyards that relied on pre-sanctions stockpiles are seeing those supplies dwindle, and some have faced penalties for violating import rules. One high-profile case involved Oceanco, which was fined for using Myanmar teak on Jeff Bezos’ $500 million superyacht.
Finding a suitable replacement has proven challenging. Any alternative must endure constant exposure to saltwater and sun while meeting the expectations of discerning yacht owners. Still, change is underway. Synthetic decking materials and teak laminates are becoming more common. Sunreef Yachts, for example, has eliminated teak from its entire lineup, switching instead to thermally modified woods that the company says match or exceed teak’s performance and require less maintenance.
While these options are gaining traction, the shift away from traditional teak will take time as the industry works toward broader acceptance of new materials.