MONTE CARLO, Monaco — Frivolity is alive and well on the shores of Monte Carlo, where the ultra-wealthy have signed on the dotted line on some of the most innovative and well-designed vessels ever seen at sea.
The atmosphere was uplifting at the Monaco Yacht Show, where 120 superyachts were unveiled from September 24th to 27th, many with bespoke décor. And it wasn’t just the high-end design that set the mood. The financial outlook for the rest of the year was boosted by an increase in bespoke yachts, while sales in Italy’s yacht sector, the world’s largest, rose 13.6% to €8.33 billion in 2023 and showed no signs of slowing down in the rest of the year. . This is what happened this year, according to the “Yachting by the Numbers” report prepared by the Market Intelligence and Research Department of the Italian Marine Industry Association, released at the end of September.
Italy is home to popular shipyards such as Fincantieri, Azimut|Benetti, Sanlorenzo and Ferretti Yachts.
“The 2023 market once again exceeded our expectations, with sales of new yachts exceeding 200 when we expected around 150. Sales by Italian builders, especially from 30 to 60 meters, continued to be rapid. “U.S. buyers remain keen on new yachts,” Monaco Yachts said. View Market Report 2024. For yachts over 60 meters in length, sales of new yachts have slowed, but as of mid-July, sales are expected to improve or stabilize by the end of the year. Globally, an average of around 171 superyachts have been completed over the past five years, worth a total annual value of around €4.5 billion, with a consistent increase since 2021, the report added.
At a press conference at the legendary Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo, the Azimut|Benetti Group, headquartered in Avigliana, Italy, near Turin, announced that it expects to have a turnover of between €1.2 billion and €1.3 billion in the 2023-2024 financial period. announced that it had increased. Last year’s euro was driven by major markets. CEO Marco Valle was upbeat at a press conference, predicting 15% growth by the same time next year.
Azimut | Benetti Group, ranked number one in the world by boat length by Boat International, said it has a 40% backlog of unbuilt boats through 2029 for some Benetti models. The largest number of customers are from Europe, followed by the Americas at 37 percent, and the Middle East and North Africa at 23 percent.
B.Loft by Cassetta Yacht Designers for Benetti. Courtesy of Azimut Benetti
Similarly, San Lorenzo, based in Amelia, Italy and ranked second in length since 2018 under art director Piero Lissoni, ended the first half of 2024 with a 6.9% increase in sales. announced. In its latest financial report released on September 9, the company said it expects sustainable growth in the long term. Key geographic factors were similar, with sales in the Middle East and North Africa region increasing by 142%, the Americas by 9.2% and Asia Pacific by 20.9%.
A staircase designed by Piero Lissoni aboard the 50Steel presented by SanLorenzo at the Monaco Yacht Show. Gionata Zera
get in touch with nature
Azimut|Benetti presents a list of new designs that bring enthusiasts even closer to nature and amplify the feeling of being in a second home.
Designed by Cassetta Yacht Designers for Benetti, B.Loft is infused with urban housing concepts and expansive villas. The new model has a cabana on the main deck with an interior that features 270-degree panoramic views and 4-meter-high ceilings.
B.Loft by Cassetta Yacht Designers for Benetti. Azimut Benetti
museum effect
Baglietto, a La Spezia, Italy-based manufacturer celebrating its 170th anniversary this year, has created a T52 MY Akula with interiors by Team for Design and Enrico Gobbi, in collaboration with architect Carlo Lionetti. Announced.
Balliet Acra Quinton Bisset
Custom features on this yacht include soft-toned woods such as oak and other tactile natural materials, while wall and cabinet frames made of brass and other metals add brightness and added dimension to the ensemble. Adds a touch of bright color. Murano glass vases, sculptures, artwork, lamps, and even the artistic glazes in the stairwell are unique pieces designed specifically for this ship by Italian artists and designers, including the yacht’s architect. One, and so was the case with Yacht Warriors. Entrance.
Made to order
Legendary Italian linen manufacturer Frette made its yacht debut at the Monte Carlo Yacht Show on a yacht of the same name owned by an investor who is a member of parent company Raza Heritage Holdings.
M/Y Frette on board the super yacht Frette in Palumbo. Matthew Donaldson
The 43.59 meter long motor yacht, built by Italy’s Palumbo Superyachts, was the first to unveil Frette’s long-awaited bespoke collection. This collection is known for its use in the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the dining car of the Orient Express, and first-class hotels. European royal family.
M/Y Frette was specially conceived for yacht interiors, adding luxurious details to the vessel and demonstrating the essence of Frette’s bespoke artistry and knowledge. This concept was also showcased in an installation at the Hotel de Paris. The coral and rock walls feature marine-themed flora and fauna motifs, matching the yellow, orange, pink and navy piping designed on the plush beach towels. Bathrobe.
modern retro
With the charm of a vintage convertible, J Craft ships sail the seas in charming wooden motorboats made with contemporary materials and traditional Gotlandic (Swedish) craftsmanship. More a passion project than a means of transportation, the boat was conceived in 1999 by renowned Swedish restaurateur and hospitality entrepreneur Björn Jansson. The company is now owned by former hedge fund manager Radenko Milakovic, who fell in love with the company and its evocative designs, which are used as props in Chanel advertising campaigns.
J-Craft Torpedo BaBeBi. Provided by J-Craft
In Monte Carlo, he unveiled the torpedo BaBeBi (a combination of the names of the boat’s owner’s daughters) and ran his hands over the polished steel dashboard. “This is my work. Swedes hate it. They just want wood,” he says, noting that it has the feel of an old Corvette from the ’50s or ’60s. Agreed, inviting visitors to touch, feel, and place their hands and feet on the luxurious fabric. “Don’t worry, this ship is built for the sea, to meet the waves. Nothing will break if you touch it,” he said.
BaBeBi takes a closer look at the fully “marinated” silver metallic hull developed in collaboration with top automotive brands. BaBeBi’s cockpit features a unique color set developed specifically for BaBeBi, combining diamond-stitched upholstery with mahogany cockpit interior and teak flooring. The rich color set continues inside the forward cabin, which is clad in high-gloss mahogany, complemented by luxurious Hermès fabrics and custom-designed Rosenthal porcelain, Iittala glassware, and J-Craft’s first son, Sweden. It is fully equipped with silverware made by Prince Carl Philippe Bernadotte. The client was King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
Looking out over a sea studded with yachts, Milakovic said the company’s main driver today is the desire for innovative vessels. “This is a mini-superyacht in many ways. This vessel is built to superyacht standards, but in a much smaller version. Its driving force is the desire to differentiate, to be unique and to “It’s a desire to create what you want,” he said.
