More than just champagne and parties

I’m sure that I’m not alone in feeling a change in atmosphere, or more so a change in attitude, at the 2019 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. Even before the show commenced, energy was high and determined, more so than any of the other seven Monaco shows that I have been to prior to this one. But why, exactly?

For me, the show began early on Wednesday morning, when Heesen called its opening breakfast press conference to confirm a series of noteworthy developments at the shipyard, including a new sale and speculative project. Attendance was seriously impressive – and somewhat surprising, given the array of preceding evening events – but make no mistake, there was a genuine and palpable air of excitement in Hôtel Hermitage that morning, and it was an air that seemed to remain throughout the duration of the show.

It was also that morning that I first became aware of European investment firm, Squircle Capital’s sizeable acquisition of MB92 – news which quickly flooded my Whatsapp and in turn SuperyachtNews. External investment in the superyacht industry sends a solid statement to the market, and this wasn’t the only one. In the lead up to the show, French equity investor, Nepteam Group also invested in the Atlantic Refit Center.

My experience of the show was punctuated by a sense of collaboration among industry stakeholders and partnerships which came to fruition during the show. I was lucky enough to sit down with Raphael Sauleau, CEO of Fraser and Chuck Chashman, executive vice-president of MarineMax, for their first official interview since the US firm acquired Fraser. “We are excited as we grow to realise the true potential between the two companies,” said Cashman, outlining the vast potential of these two entities.

Throughout the duration of the Monaco Yacht Show, there were a number of legitimately important announcements, from new projects and sales, to joint ventures and new technological unveilings. In fact, there was so much going on throughout the show that I doubt anyone walking within it could fully absorb the continual stream of announcements and developments, which does lead me onto a slight bugbear in its aftermath.

I can’t help but trawl a variety of mainstream media platforms to discover how they perceived the show, and to my annoyance, the majority of news surrounding one of the superyacht industry’s most important events focuses on the ‘glitz and glamour’ of Monaco, rather than the astonishing things that are being achieved in the industry today.

I can’t help but trawl a variety of mainstream media platforms to discover how they perceived the show, and to my annoyance, the majority of news surrounding one of the superyacht industry’s most important events focuses on the ‘glitz and glamour’ of Monaco, rather than the astonishing things that are being achieved in the industry today. My advice to those journalists next year, is to look a little deeper if they want to discover what it is that makes this industry tick.

Over the four days, all those in attendance were immersed in activity, baring witness to a number of astounding new superyachts making their official international debut in the show and a series of unavoidable developments and announcements. It was a display of the industry’s renewed dedication towards sustainability, quality, and innovation. To clarify, the Monaco Yacht Show 2019 wasn’t just an accumulation of expensive superyachts, it was the epicentre of our market’s activity.

For those of you that know me well, you’ll know that when it comes to superyachts, it doesn’t take much to pique my interest. But be that as it may, the 2019 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show was, for me, a cut above the rest.

One person – who for their own safety shall remain anonymous – did say to me that they ‘weren’t blown away by the yachts at the show this year,’ and all I can say to that is ‘you’re lucky I’m not a violent person because you deserve to be smacked in the face!’ Lürssen’s Tis, Abeking & Rasmussen’s Excellence and Feadship’s Syzygy 818, were astonishing builds that were fantastically put together and a true example of the capabilities in the superyacht industry.

For those of you that know me well, you’ll know that when it comes to superyachts, it doesn’t take much to pique my interest. But be that as it may, the 2019 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show was, for me, a cut above the rest – exciting, inspiring and proof that great things are happening in our industry.

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