Yanmar Sunset Marina Achieves Blue Flag Certification for Second Consecutive Year

Yanmar Sunset Marina, operated by Yanmar Corporation, an affiliate of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. (located in Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture), has achieved the 'Blue Flag' certification for the second year in a row. The Blue Flag is an international environmental certification for beaches, marinas, and tourism boats awarded by the Danish non-profit organization FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education). It is granted upon meeting strict criteria regarding environmental education and management systems. Yanmar Sunset Marina became the first lake-based marina in Asia to receive this certification in 2025.

With a concept of being a 'resource-circulating marina,' the facility was recognized for establishing a mechanism to circulate aquatic weeds harvested from Lake Biwa and food waste generated at the facility, thereby converting a regional environmental challenge into new value. Furthermore, the facility received accolades for its operations that balance environmental consideration and safety, such as the utilization of solar power, optimization of energy management, installation of anemometers to support safe navigation, and continuous improvement efforts based on the awareness and actions of each staff member.

This year, along with achieving the Blue Flag certification for the second year, the marina was selected as the top project in the 'Blue Flag Good Practice Competition' among 13 submissions related to 'promoting a circular economy' from Blue Flag-certified organizations in the Northern Hemisphere. The Blue Flag Good Practice Competition is an annual event where FEE sets a theme and selects up to two entries from each country. The marina's initiative of collecting aquatic weeds from Lake Biwa and using them for farmland was highly evaluated for balancing problem-solving with value creation.

Yanmar Sunset Marina will continue to promote world-class marina operations that harmonize with Lake Biwa's natural environment, incorporating environmental consideration, safety, and service quality, and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.