The joie de vivre drives the superyacht market

According to the Superyacht Times, the world superyacht fleet in 2021 could count on 5,400 boats. In the current year, 1,024 have been counted under construction. An industry, this of boats over 24 meters (but now we are talking about 30 meters) in length, which is experiencing exponential growth. Sales of new and used vehicles, with repercussions on refitting and charter.

The dimensions also grow. The largest gigayacht is Azzam, 180.6 meters long, built by the German Lurssen shipyard for the Emirati ruler Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (the interiors are by the Italian firm Nauta). Although the 156-meter Dilbar, owned by the Russian tycoon Ališer Burchanovič Usmanov, also from the Lurssen, is the most mammoth in terms of displacement, with 15,917 gross tons compared to Azzam’s 13,136. But these are firsts destined to be surpassed. In fact, REV Ocean will arrive, 182.9 meters long and 17,440 gross tons of displacement, a research and expedition yacht wanted by Kjell Inge Rokke, the richest Norwegian oilman, who invested 3.4 billion dollars of his heritage for this gigayacht under construction at the Norwegian shipyard Vard (100% Fincantieri), which will explore the seabed and collect data.

One of the classic events of this “extra-size” world is the Monaco Yacht Show, the review of superyachts open in the Principality until 1 October (opening hours: from 10 to 18.30, Saturday until 18; ticket: 500 euros one day , 850 two, 1,350 three). MYS is an annual showcase, born in 1991, held in Port Hercule. This year it can count on 530 exhibitors for 118 yachts, plus 54 tenders (even 20 and broken meters in length), with a corollary of water toys (such as pocket submarines), luxury cars and motorbikes, helicopters. The largest boat is Ahpo, by Lurssen, 115.1 meters long.

A review without any health restrictions and with a smile. «The period of the pandemic has strengthened the approach of the carpe diem, the desire to enjoy life more than ever in every social stratum – explains Johan Pizzardini, spokesperson for MYS -. People who can afford a yacht have rented or bought their vessel after hesitating for months or years. As a direct consequence, 2022 saw an increase in the number of sales and charters ». This is confirmed by a study carried out by RINA, which takes the field with an initiative aimed at large boats that it presents in Monaco: in 2021 alone the segment recorded sales for 128 new yachts between 40 and 180 meters, 78% more than the 2020, the year in which 72 were purchased.

Good news also for the made in Italy yachting industry, which lands in force at MYS – about forty brands only in shipbuilding, including brands with a little tricolor such as Magnum Marine, American but which launches a new 47.5 ‘built in synergy with Sno Yachts of Olbia-. A made in Italy strong in its global leadership in the superyacht segment: over half of the existing ones have been built in Italy.

The segment goes, hence also the interest of non-sector companies. Like Four Seasons, which presented its new Yacht division at MYS, in partnership with Fincantieri and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings: it envisages the construction of a 207-meter ship on the Italian ports and the option for another two (1.2 billion the value of the agreement) for a “new category of luxury nautical voyages”. –