NAVIS Oct/Nov'22

Outstanding innovation and mastery have been a constant motivator for Lürssen. The German-based superyacht builder is renowned for creating vessels that lead in quality and performance and has recently set its sights on developing new and carbon-neutral technology.

The latest yachts built by the yard in their state-of-the-art production facilities boast advancements in noise reduction, fuel consumption, and lower emissions as the company move towards sustainable yachting that reduces the environmental impact.

Since 2005, Lürssen has been directly involved with research projects that explore the use of fuel cell technology. A collaboration in 2009 in the national research project – called Pa-X-ell, led to the development and testing of a hybrid energy system that uses PEM fuel cells for seagoing passenger vessels with methanol as hydrogen carrier.

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.

In today’s powerful global culture, as astonishing new discoveries outpace those announced just yesterday, how does one build a truly extraordinary superyacht?

First and foremost, embrace purpose-driven passion for what you do, every single day. The Chinese Jamaican-born Canadian entrepreneur who commissioned such a yacht has it. It is one of the components of his overall success. The Venetian yacht design group at Nuvolari✧Lenard that designed such a yacht are inspired by it. Passion flowed from the initial vision through their hands as they drafted each line on this new project. Everyone contributing their talents to such a yacht at Lürssen’s German shipyards has proudly put it on display throughout the build. Since 1875, Lürssen has been known for quality, performance, and creativity to realize long-term success.

In an ingenious blend of technology, engineering, and design, this versatile and top-performance bluewater sailing yacht has given Oyster 885 a confident and effortless alignment with style and luxury while delivering an exhilarating sailing experience. State-of-the-art, digitally connected, and seamlessly integrated systems have been incorporated and combined into sensible centralized arrangements that facilitate safety and ease of operation, and full digital connectivity allows complete control from anywhere on the yacht from a tablet or mobile phone application.

Amidst the wealth of products and information clamoring for attention at the Monaco Yacht Show, it’s essential to acknowledge the artists and designers responsible for transforming ideas into the manifestations of the many products -- quayside and afloat -- that rivet our gaze and eventually populate these pages. From Summit through four days of the Show, this romp through creative excellence in the world of superyachting begins with design, long before sales, commissions, charters, or re-fits.

Far beyond blueprints and prior renderings, the use of colour is key to creating interiors and exteriors that shelter and cosset or energize and enthrall. For this 2022 edition of our Designer Dream Kit, we talked with two internationally renowned designers about how essential colour becomes not just in envisioning a concept for a discerning client or partner, but the power colour commands in real life.

When last-minute travel plans coalesce perfectly, it is more than kismet. It is sheer magic. We had intended to do a pre- or post-visit to at least one exceptional and new property in the region on our annual pilgrimage to Monte-Carlo. Of course, we had hotels in Monaco before and during the show, and it felt a bit edgy to leave home without knowing where else we would rest our heads on a few nights and how all else would come together. But come together it did, and in a big way, and with three calls: one from an exceptional new hotel – the Kempinski Palace Engelberg -- in Switzerland (see our story Royal Retreat: The Kempinski Palace Engelberg), followed by one to, and then one from Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, telling us to prepare for an incredibly special delivery.

Engelberg, Switzerland is quite the charming destination. Located in magical setting, surrounded by the most epic mountains and winding roads through quintessential Swiss villages where the usual noises and stressors of life are replaced by the clinking of cowbells dangling from the necks of wide-eyed, placid beasts. It is perhaps rightly best known for its appeal to skiers, due to its premiere location at the base of Mount Titlis. But there is so much more to recommend Engelberg in all seasons of the year, not the least of which are endless trekking routes and, at the town’s center, the 12th Century Kloster Engelberg, a monastery which still houses friars, and is open to the public to tour, dine, or watch the Engelberger Klosterkircher cheese being produced.

Monaco’s enduring appeal extends far beyond its glamour, excitement, history, beauty, and, of course, an annual Yacht Show. The culinary scene in Monte-Carlo always holds a special allure that tempts, fascinates, and always impresses.

We never cease to be surprised and delighted at what we find, and this year was no exception, as we were ready once more to host NAVIS’ annual dinner to celebrate and touch on trends, insights, and innovations in this industry we love. We return once more with the excellent culinary team at Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse a l’Hotel de Paris.