The extensive use of the term ‘superyacht refit’ to describe a wide range of works is indicative of the magnitude of possibilities available to superyacht owners. As well as being an important part of a yacht’s upkeep, a refit is increasingly considered as a viable alternative to buying a new build project, often saving time and costs. And this growth in the scope of the refit market necessitates the development of infrastructure to meet evolving demands.

An interactive workshop on infrastructure for the next generation will take place on day one of The Superyacht Forum. Metrica’s Kai Dittmar, GYG’s Remy Millott, MB92 La Ciotat’s Rob Papworth, Feadship’s Pier Posthuma de Boer, Hampshire Yachts’ Dean Smith and Burgess’ Adrian Tinkler will host a discussion on how suited refit facilities are to the current and future fleet and how requirements for shipyards are changing to meet the expectations and needs of the sector.

Following an introduction on the semantics of infrastructure, real examples of how MB92 La Ciotat is increasing and improving its hard and soft infrastructure will be presented. “A larger fleet is coming to maturation, leading to facilities for bigger vessels needed,” explains Adrian Tinkler, fleet technical manager at Burgess. “But the industry mustn’t forget the mid-range yachts that still form a large proportion of the overall fleet.”

The panel will then consider how the requirements for shipyards are changing, and that infrastructure isn’t necessarily everything. “It’s not all about the size of boats; insurance, safety, environmental considerations and professionalism all play an important role in modern refit and maintenance,” adds Tinkler. Having the right people involved and the role of project managers in delivering quality refits will also be covered.

Finally, the workshop will also consider how refit and new build yards are partnering to deliver these requirements. “The refit and service markets may be booming but we at Feadship have felt for some time that a new approach was required in terms of how the market is organised,” comments Pier Posthuma de Boer, director of refit and services at Feadship.

“There has traditionally been a big difference between the superyacht industry and comparable businesses such as the automotive and aircraft sectors, where manufacturers actively participate in ensuring the cars and planes they produce are kept in good condition… As the superyacht fleet becomes ever-more professional, builders will inevitably become more involved in what happens to their yachts.”

Remaining tickets to The Superyacht Forum 2019 are available here. Join us from 18-20 November in Amsterdam and enjoy three days of engaging workshops and thought-provoking keynotes, while interacting with leading minds from our market to learn about the subjects that you and your clients need to know.

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