Despite the continuing turbulence of the global financial markets there is a lot of hope that the 22nd Monaco Yacht Show will deliver a strong performance and underpin the growing acceptance that the world superyacht market is showing steady progress of recovery.
Running from 19 to 22 September, Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) 2012 will have over 500 exhibitors and 100 superyachts from[ds_preview] 25 to 90 m in length to interest the nearly 30,000 visitors that will presumably attend. The average length of the yachts is 46 m; and 40 of them will be new builds making their international debut.
At press time the full list of attending yachts was still awaited but as always there will be some spectacular vessels to look at. One of the yachts down to feature strongly is the 67.7 m »Vertigo« built by Alloy Yachts in New Zealand and named the »Sailing Superyacht of the World«. In addition, she has already won five International Superyacht Society Awards.
One of the largest yachts at MYS will be the 73.55 m »Mogambo«, a product from the German Nobiskrug yard which was launched in October 2011. Designed by the UK’s Reymond Langton Design, she has already been well publicised and a lot more interest will likely be shown in her in Monaco.
Of similar size, at 72.6 m, is the »Vicky«, the largest yacht to have come from the well-established Turkish superyacht builder Proteksan Turquoise. Having only been launched in June 2012 many visitors are expected to show interest. Designed by H2 and with naval architecture by Dubois it goes without saying there will be a number of interesting features.
Apart from »Vertigo«, another sailing superyacht anticipated to be one of the show’s stars is the 50.5 m »Better Place« as she is the world’s largest sloop in carbon fibre and the first sailing yacht ever built to comply with RINA’s Green Star class. »Better Place« was built by Wally, a builder with a reputation for the innovative and unusual.
Fresh from being the largest yacht to appear at the Cannes Boat Show one week before MYS will be the 61 m motoryacht »Diamonds are Forever«. Delivered from Benetti in November 2011 this yacht combines traditional design and exceptional stylistic solutions.
»The number of new build orders since MYS 2011 is still well below the peak of 2007/08«
Altogether, 82 shipyards will be exhibiting at MYS – including the top 15 builders of custom superyachts which are mainly coming from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France and the US. With this presence of yards, that means around two thirds of all yards which are constructing yachts over 30 m will be attending. Thinking of the smaller tenders and toys, more than 20 companies are down to exhibit. For the onboard content almost 200 equipment manufacturers will be displaying their latest products as well. For those looking for the different, unusual or traditional in a new yacht, about 50 designers and naval architects will be showing their work at the show. MYS always serves as an opportunity for designers to present their latest concepts to attract existing and potential new owners alike.
For those in a mood to buy new or secondhand or to sell or charter, 25 leading brokers are exhibiting. The vital service part of the superyacht market will be covered by over 70 yacht service providers. Highlighting the wealthy atmosphere which is always a part of MYS, visitors will be able to call at 17 luxury brands including two of the official MYS sponsors, BMW and Ulysse Nardin. Private jets and helicopters, cars and luxury goods and accessories will also be available.
After three years or more of economic upset, the whole superyacht sector will be looking to what comes out of MYS 2012 to assess whether a more stable path lies ahead or if the market is facing more uncertainty. The number of new build orders since MYS 2011 is still well below the peak of 2007/08 and many orders have been placed with the leading quality builders.
Without new orders several yards face a bleak future or the prospect of having to build smaller craft of other types assuming they have the chance to do so. As to pre-owned yacht sales in 2012, they have largely involved smaller yachts up to 45 m with discounting being a daily practice. A more stable market does not appear to be something that will come in the near future.
David Robinson
