Unprecedented enthusiasm from a well-informed and well-qualified audience made for a most active and productive 2022 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. From the 28th of September to the 1st of October, Port Hercule hosted 118 superyachts averaging 46 meters in length.
Overall, both the 2021 and 2022 shows outpaced every one of the previous twenty years in terms of business activity, according to the show’s Managing Director, Gaëlle Tallarida. The numbers are a reflection of the global rise of UHNW individuals, particularly in the Asian sector. Shipyards across the board reported being fully booked with four to six launches per year for the next five years.
NAVIS was privileged to be a part of the excitement. Attending 27 events in three days with invitations to events sponsored by Lürssen, Feadship, The Yacht Club de Monaco, and others, NAVIS was pleased to continue our own traditions. Hosting the NAVIS Annual Dinner at Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’ Hôtel de Paris, and toasting to a successful show at our NAVIS event held in the Hotel Metropole’s Lobby Bar kept us engaged and in-touch, learning from exhibitors, industry experts, and buyers about important, top-of-industry trends. Editorials elsewhere in this issue cover more details of both NAVIS events.
Lürssen, Leading the Way in Fuel Cell Propulsion
Lürssen’s extraordinary superyacht Ahpo captured attention for design features and spacious layout in 115 meters of imagination made real by craftsmanship and innovation. The largest yacht in the show, Ahpo attained star status, but Lürssen’s focus at the show was squarely on their advances in fuel cell technology, explained and detailed in their Innovation Laboratory.
The Innovation Laboratory is a demonstration facility purpose-built to drive integration and operation of a Marine Hybrid Fuel Cell System on board a methanol-powered yacht. In strategic partnership with leading maritime fuel cell expert and global tech group Freudenberg, Lürssen has earned the first RINA approval for a maritime system using integrated methanol fuel reforming technology.
CEO Peter Lürssen praised Freudenberg e-Power Systems for their strong partnership focused on integrating fuel cells into yachts in the near future. An additional Lürssen partnership with Rolls Royce is developing revolutionary propulsion systems built using MTU methanol Rolls Royce engines.
The Feadship Breakfast Served Up Delicious Details on Concept Yacht Slice
The concept yacht Slice with subtle Asian design themes was announced at the Monaco Yacht Club Wine Bar event. Feadship intended Slice’s debut to spark research and design discussion built with insightful client feedback, long brainstorming and discovery sessions, and in-depth research.
Following in the footsteps of Feadship concepts before her, Slice is the eleventh in a long line of exciting, cutting-edge design developments. Functional and versatile, Slice brings light into the yacht from unexpected places, while remaining flexible enough to incorporate and refit her fuel-agnostic properties with advances in fuel technologies as they prove worthy.
At the show, Feadship’s designers Tanno Weeda and Chris Bottoms stood ready to educate visitors through an interactive model. If you missed the show, look forward to information to be released soon online Feadship also put the 55.20-meter Superyacht Somnium on display, illustrating the impeccable craftsmanship, inspired design, and thoughtful efficiency of this shallow draft, aluminum hull yacht. Equipped with dedicated dive center, enclosed tender garage, and counterflow pool with adjustable floor, as her name implies in Latin, she is conceived of dreams executed to perfection.
Yacht Club de Monaco Signs Up with IHO in Support of CSB
In addition to serving as a networking hub during the show, the Yacht Club also supports education with regard to the ocean. Working with the International Hydrographic Organization, or IHO, their aim is to complete a map of the global seabed by 2030. Thanks to the GEBCO Program and the Nippon Foundation Seabed 2030 Project, in just five years the known percentage of the oceanic lithosphere has grown from just six percent to an impressive 23.4 percent.
Dr. Mathias Jonas, Secretary General of the IHO, noted, “Learning about the oceans is the greatest mapping adventure of our time. Many mountain ranges, volcanoes, and submarine canyons have yet to be discovered and named.” The important data collected from private vessel navigation at sea is extremely valuable in this effort, helping to identify unrecorded seamounts, canyons, and underwater features, filling in chart gaps.
Yacht owners and crew who participate in sharing navigation data will have full respect of privacy as the input can be collected using a small data logger interfaced with the ship’s GNSS and echo sounder. Depth and under-keel position can then be stored, downloaded, and integrated into local and global mapping initiatives, providing useful information for all seafarers that will help to avoid strandings and environmental damage.
Ferretti Group International Displays a Full Range Options
Ferretti Group International delivered updates on several important brands under their umbrella with traditional Ferretti flourish. Recently reviewed by NAVIS in our last edition, FGI’s CRN-branded motor yacht Rio showed what a festive family yacht could, and should, look like. The brand continued to show its versatility with their new 72 meter motor yacht Project 139, motor yacht 143, and new yachts in both the 70 meter and 80 meter categories.
The always gorgeous Riva brand was well represented by the Riva 130 motor yacht Bellissima. A new flybridge flagship with three decks and a 60 square meter beach club, dual living areas, huge upper deck, and first in category fast displacement, Bellissima keeps pulses racing with a 22.5 knot speed from twin MTU 2600 HP engines.
Under the Pershing brand, Ferretti introduced the racy new Pershing 170, its first three-deck aluminum yacht. The full planing hull delivers more than 50 meters of length while keeping below 500 GRT, powered by MTU engines equipped with Voith linear jets.
Ferretti’s Custom Line Navetta 50, designed by Salvetti & Citterio-Viel, takes the top spot as the flagship of the line. Earning the distinction as the first superyacht below 500 GRT with a private owner’s deck, she also boasts a 70 square meter cockpit with infinity pool, and transatlantic range.
In the sailing category, Ferretti’s sleek Wally brand introduced the new WallyWind line, offering this carbon fiber cruiser/racer between 33.5 and 45 meters. The new Wally 101 sailing yacht is due to launch this year, and the Wally 110, currently under construction, has a 2024 delivery date.
Benetti’s R & D Delivers Record-Breaking Results
In a press conference at Monte Carlo’s Hermitage Hotel, Azimut Benetti Group CEO Marco Valle said it clearly. “We have invested heavily in R & D in recent years to develop new boats and the results are outstanding,” Mr. Valle cited an aggressive launch schedule with nearly two new launches per month and a very positive future showing an order book of deliveries planned up to 2027.
Benetti’s B.NOW line premiered the 50-meter Iryna alongside two others in the line, the B.NOW 60-meter and the B.NOW 67-meter Oasis. The line is a best seller for Benetti, with 20 units already spoken for. Chic, informal, and refined, B.NOW’s lovely sweeping lines and expanses of glazing gather natural light, strengthening connections between indoors and out.
The B.Century line is the result of a partnership with Cassetta Yacht Designers, tracing the previous success of award-winning yachts Triumph, Metis, Zazou, and Calex. The line offers five models and unique features, including an Owner’s Deck, private terrace, Pool Club and Beach Club on different levels, all flowing bow to stern in an uninterrupted arc that defines the line’s style. All are available with traditional, hybrid, or diesel-electric propulsion systems. Also in the works, Project ORO is a vision predicting visual purity in fluid, 80+ meter designs.
Camper & Nicholsons’ Press Breakfast Aboard Motor Yacht C
Celebrating 240 years, Camper & Nicholsons announced the official October release of their milestone book reviewing the company’s history and major events while embracing the launch of their new website and IT platforms from their in-house tech hub. They introduced their new marketing team, and encouraged a tour of the 54.6-meter Baglietto motor yacht C while on board. With accommodations for 17 guests in seven suites, a fresh beach club open on three sides, high headroom, two pools, shallow draft, and two master suites, C houses 13 crew to ensure every guest is well-attended.
Nautor Swan’s Sailing Superyachts
Building on the momentum of the ClubSwan 80, the Swan 88, and the Swan 108, Nautor Swan revealed the most exciting Swan yet at the Monaco show: the 128. In build at the BTC Pietarsaari yard, a conference panel seating resident Swan designer Germàn Frers, Lucio Micheletti, Misa Poggi, Juan K and Mario Pedol made the announcement with Justin Ratcliffe as host.
The ClubSwan 80, intended to take its place among high-performance one-design racing yachts, is working to put the exclamation point on Nautor Swan’s racing DNA. Fast, light, and fun to sail shorthanded, races in Porto Cervo this summer proved 80’s mettle. The
Swan 88 and 108, while similar, were designed with innovations never seen before on a swan. Think beach club and hybrid propulsion, along with other “green and blue” approaches.
Unveiling the Swan Maxi at the Monaco show, the 128 is scheduled for a 2025 launch. A canoe body that has undergone CFD analysis with flying colors, maintains a highly flexible layout with a high number of customizations available. The elevated saloon and extra-wide companionway yield three levels of interior natural light with panoramic views.
Denison Yachting Partners with Nobiskrug & Tillberg Design
Named for the Swedish word for happiness, Project Lycka is a 70-meter concept collaboration between yacht broker Dennison Yachting , Tillberg Design of Sweden, and Nobiskrug, German builder of custom made luxury superyachts. Tillberg’s recent acquisition of Sweden’s HotLab group raises the bar for fabulous design with a high priority on sustainability. Following the path of Nobiskrug’s 80-meter superyacht Artefact, Project Lycka will be a pioneer exhibiting hybrid electric propulsion aiming for IMO Tier III emissions regulation compliance. This will be one to watch, built with Scandinavian design and future-proof timelessness.
Fincantieri and Four Seasons
Four Seasons, long known for its posh hotel brand, announced a 2025 maiden voyage for its first Four Seasons yacht from Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri. Built at its Trieste shipyard, the 279-foot ship, with 14 decks and 95 rooms and suites designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden, will have an ultra-luxurious four level, 9,601 square foot suite with private pool and spa area. An industry-first transverse marina will allow guests to board and disembark small watercraft and aqua toys. Guests can expect an industry-leading guest-to-staff ratio, onboard food and beverage choices, and excellent spa and wellness facilities in keeping with the Four Seasons brand.
The Gulf Craft Majesty 160 Superyacht
The second largest yacht after the Gulf Craft Majesty 180, the 160 was announced as the next project on the Gulf Craft list, establishing it as a leader in composite hulls. Production of this opulent, contemporary yacht is scheduled to begin later this year at the manufacturing facility in the UAE.
Heesen and Winch Design Announce New Concept Yacht XV67
Everyone’s idea of an adventure is different. That’s why Heesen and Winch Design launched Xventure four years ago. This year at the Monaco Yacht Show, that same team presented an even more creative solution to adventure-seeking clients in the XV67.
With an additional ten meters of length, the clean-cut, avant-garde XV67 announced it is ready to roam, wherever the owner wishes to go, with hybrid propulsion as an option. Capable, well-designed, and stunning, with helideck, three story master suite, outdoor cinema, observation deck, pool, teppanyaki bar, and exquisite details galore, be prepared to draw a crowd. This elegant crossover yacht is destined to gather lots of attention.
Also on display by Heesen was the 60-meter superyacht Lusine. which boasted incredibly creative and luxurious texture treatments, like an all white leather embossed stairwall embellished with sea creatures on the lower deck, graduating to land animals on the main and sea birds and clouds on the upper deck. Mesmerizing and beautiful, Lusine was Heesen’s first delivery of 2022.
Ultimate Toys: Triton Submarines, Dark Ocean Design, and Espen Øino
All incredible experts in their fields, this triumvirate of talent announced Project Hercules at the Monaco Yacht Show. This groundbreaking luxury, high-performance submersible, unlike any other craft built to date, offers an extraordinary underwater experience for owners and guests. Beautifully designed, executed, and tested, this craft, when completed, will deliver views of ocean depths and creatures beyond imagination.
The presentation revealed that the design will be capable of diving to 200 meter depths, travel at 8 knots, and show an unencumbered, crystal-clear view of the ocean for nine people in the AVA pressure hull, emanating the luxury and comfort of a custom private aircraft. Customization could include separate compartments for pilot and passengers, day head and mini bar, exterior cameras or screens, and a VR headset, all in an “Inner Space Craft” securing a calm, exclusive environment that could impart the feeling of swimming or gliding. A forward “spoiler” works to balance the horizontal trim while providing protection as a fender and serving as a perch for the selfie camera to capture the moment below the waterline.
Royal Huisman’s Wing 100
Destined to create an entirely new category in the megayacht sector, Royal Huisman’s Wing 100 was proudly introduced at the show by Royal Huisman, Dykstra Naval Architects, and Mark Whiteley Design. At 100 meters in length, it would be easy to imagine Wing 100 as a motor assisted sailing yacht, but that would be a mistake.
A highly respected superyacht builder of both fine sailing and motor yachts since 1884, Royal Huisman confirms that Wing 100 is truly a sailing yacht that can be easily handled and quickly deployed without drama, enabled by a highly advanced Rondal rig. Masts are free-standing with air foil profiles, translating to a super clean deck. Sails are remote controlled for fast, efficient sailing. Luxury on board is a fact, with accommodations for 12 guests plus a nanny/teacher and 16 crew.
Estimated to save over 225,000 liters of fuel annually over similar sized, conventionally powered megayachts, Wing 100 is designed to be an option for motor yacht owners who would like to reduce their carbon footprint. It is also hoped that the technologies and systems designed for the Wing 100 will translate to cargo ships, encouraging them to become wind-assisted.
Sunseeker Announced a Trio of New Ocean Line Yachts
The Ocean 460, the Ocean 182, and the Ocean 156 made headlines for Sunseeker Yachts at the show, all assigned numbers referring to their gross tonnage rather than length. The Ocean 460 is a tri-deck yacht with a length of 42 meters, a split level beach club with direct water access, and a significant increase in interior volume compared to her sister ship, the 131, despite her length of about 40 meters.
Similarly, the Ocean 182 and the Ocean 156 both boast much more interior volume than other yachts of comparable length. Luxurious features and lots of glazing make Sunseeker’s Ocean line seem airy and spacious, punching above their weight.
Tankoa’s Dynamic Motor Yacht Fenice
Bold exterior styling by Enrico Gobbi of Venice’s Team for Design put Tankoa’s new 50-meter motor yacht Fenice in the spotlight. Inspired by automotive and aeronautical design, Fenice exhibits poise, rhythm, and grace. The yacht is equipped with a helipad, folding balconies, a huge infinity pool with glass overwater walkway, 1000 square foot beach club, and similarly sized owner’s suite with full height windows, terrace, and spa pool.
NAVIS Announced Support for The Balthazar Project
Always looking for ways to make a positive difference in our oceans, NAVIS has found important work going on at The Balthazar Project, an independent scientific research organization dedicated to helping the world understand important facts about our oceans. First-hand reports from accomplished videographer and Balthazar founder Didier Noirot offer examples that point to endangered marine life and marine systems, with an eye toward improving the situations. Have a look at thebalthazarproject.org to learn more about the valuable research this organization is performing, and to support their efforts to distribute knowledge about the Earth’s seas and oceans.
Photos: Guillaume Plisson, Feadship Media, Maurizio Paradisi, Ferreti Media, Benetti Media, Carlo Borlenghi, Denison Media, Fincantieri Media, Gulf Craft Media, Heesen Media, Triton Media, Royal Huisman Media, Tankoa Media, Didier Noirot, NAVIS | Words: K.L. Turner
