ONBOARD Magazine summer 2019

customs officers trained to search for these objects crossing
borders? A CITES licence must accompany objects crossing
borders comprising or containing protected species, so a
review of objects and documentation on board is therefore an
important preventative measure. It is an area of compliance
which dovetails with sustainable and responsible sourcing.
Burmese teak decking from Myanmar recently caused a flurry
throughout the industry with press reports of yachts which
were below par. A third area relates to imminent EU regulation
on looted antiquities crossing borders.
This is the first ever EU
law regarding import of cultural
heritage and anyone shipping items
inwards must seek a licence for
entry into EU territory
Antiquities and importation
Pandora Art Services working closely with ACREW Yachting
hopes to educate captains, crew and management during
September’s Monaco Yacht Show as part of the ‘INSIGHTS’
programme started in Monaco this April. Vessels crossing to
and from EU borders should understand the new regulation
relating to looted antiquities. EU Regulation 2019/880, framed
at the end of 2018, brought into force in 2019 and taking
effect fully from 2020 and beyond is essentially about stemming
terrorist financing in conflict zones. Concerning the import
of antiquities over 250 years and artworks over 200 years
old, artefacts from outside EU territory must carry sound
provenance with documentation to demonstrate they are clean
from illicit trafficking. This is the first ever EU law regarding
import of cultural heritage and anyone shipping items inwards
must seek a licence for entry into EU territory. Each country
will establish a register of licences and for other categories,
statements of origin.
Responsible sourcing demands weeding out conflict objects,
looted for instance from museums and archaeological sites in
Syria and Iraq. Cultural items from both territories are already
barred, however antiquities are now being traded internationally
via multiple channels to fund terrorism, so this means enhanced
vigilance. Value is immaterial and the European legislation
specifies that painting, drawing, coins, sculpture, engravings as
well as archaeological pieces apply. There are two categories,
but antiquities are the more stringently controlled.
For the superyacht industry, states with weaker laws, varied
border control or which are known vulnerable trafficking routes
into Europe will be under scrutiny. Turkey along with other
destinations in the East Mediterranean meets this criteria.
The region is important for the superyacht industry and there
is a strong case for raising awareness with captains, yards,
crew and yacht management in how to prepare.
Along with these impending changes, other considerations
for superyachts transporting art and artefacts concern the
spoils of war. The museum world is undergoing incredible
political pressure to return cultural objects taken during earlier
conflicts. The Elgin Marbles in the British Museum is a famous
and longstanding debacle and more recently, French President
Macron has ordained that all the Benin Bronzes and African
artefacts looted from present day Nigeria be returned. How
this will play out with treasures finding their way into private
portfolios remains to be seen.
Education
The superyacht owner is inevitably an art collector and what
can happen on land, can happen at sea. Vessels over 40 metres
typically have lush interiors and carry fine art on board and vessels
are growing with interior space becoming more impressive as
one seeks to surprise and delight guests. Risks with fine art
pervade, but can be contained and prevented.
ACREW’S April 9th INSIGHTS day in Monaco highlighted a number
of key concerns bringing in conservators, shippers, art advisors,
yacht security professionals and an art data company. Pandora
Art Services subsequently announced a Market Intelligence
Whitepaper detailing the numerous facets of art on board and how
to mitigate these risks. An addendum will be published following
the second INSIGHTS group during September’s Monaco Yacht
Show. There will be an overview of the looted antiquities and
other facets of dealing with art on board from industry experts.
A free copy of the report can be obtained via Onboard magazine.
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