INSIDE MONACO YACHT SHOW 2018

Taking place from the 26^th to 29th September at Port Hercules, Monaco Yacht Show welcomed the world’s newest superyachts to the Principality – as well as the UHNW buyers who came to privately view them.

“The Monaco Yacht Show has a worldwide reputation for the exceptional quality of the collection of 120 superyachts on display each year, estimated to be worth around €3 billion. About sixty of the yachts exhibited are less than two years old,” explains Gaëlle Tallarida, General Manager of the Monaco Yacht Show. “We work in coordination with participating yacht brokers and shipyards in the interest, first and foremost, of the individual visitor, whether the owner or future owner and to help new clients discover the world of luxury offered only by the superyacht industry.”

The show this year was different to previous years with an upgraded format including a restructured layout for Quai des États-Unis and efforts to promote the superyacht lifestyle by showcasing more tenders and yacht toys.

Prospective new owners were enticed to visit the show by a tailored VIP programme, the Sapphire Experience. The Sapphire Experience, and its deluxe version ‘Infinite’, comprised private events such as a cocktail reception hosted earlier in the year for 40 high-qualified US guests in the intimate setting of the St. Regis New York Hotel, a concierge service and exclusive invitations to the Monaco Yacht Summit and the show’s Inaugural Gala Party.

Superyacht Industry Leaders at Monaco Yacht Show 2018

Monaco Yacht Show is the top international yacht show to connect with the key players in the superyacht industry, including brokers, naval architects, shipyards, tech innovators, marine suppliers and yacht buyers.

Ulf Sydbeck, CEO and Founder of leading Mediterranean yacht agent Riviera Yacht Support, explained, “Monaco is a prestige destination for superyachts, and very important to our company growth.  Of course, the main focus will always be the yachts, however during Monaco Yacht Show we have unprecedented opportunities to visit and meet with our established and prospective clients who are all in attendance.”

The panoramic view of the yachts at anchor along the French Riviera coastline is one of the best ways to see what’s in store during the busy event.  Forty-two yachts made their world premiere at this year’s show, including Tankoa Yachts 72-metre M/Y Solo.  Built in Italy, the vessel scooped up an accolade winning the2018 MYS/RINA Award that honours the superyacht whose construction complies with the environmental standards established by the Italian classification company RINA.

Styled inside and out by Francesco Paszkowski, with interiors designed in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, and naval architecture by Studio Ruggiero, Solo features a main deck winter garden, 6-metre aft-deck transversal glass pool and a beach club directly linked to the Spa zone with hammam.

This year, Oceanco’s 90-metre M/Y DAR stood out among the best superyachts and was subsequently crowned a double winner at the fifth edition of the MYS Superyacht Awards.  At the evening ceremony, DAR picked up the trophy for 2018 MYS Exterior Design Award,as well as the major award for 2018 MYS Finest New Superyacht.

The Upper Deck Lounge at Monaco Yacht Show was the most exclusive meeting and relaxing area for in-show networking.  In cooperation with Sabrina Monte-Carlo, the official distributor of the brand in the Principality, Paola Lenti designed the interiors of the area proving how effortlessly their designs fit into a luxury setting.

Nearby, in their own exposition space, the company presented the new seatings Tapio by Francesco Rota, upholstered with the many signature indoor fabrics, and, on the terrace of the restaurant at Parvis Piscine, the several outdoor novelties premiered during the recent Fuorisalone in Milan.  Many yachts at Monaco Yacht Show built by internationally renowned shipyards, like Sanlorenzo, Azimut Benetti, Overmarine, Ferretti, Heesen Yachts and Riva have chosen Paola Lenti outdoor seating, rugs and complements for their luxurious fittings.

A Show to Remember

The luxury exhibition zones located on Quai Antoine 1er were popular with the unveiling of a new Art Pavilion, increased Tenders & Toys exhibits and the third edition of the Car Deck.

An eye-catching display at the Car Deck was the El Toro de Lamborghini Powerboat, created by Belgium-based Bernico with original parts sent from Lamborghini in Italy, including the steering wheel and switches.  The vessel was built to match a client’s supercar, a light-blue Lamborghini Aventador – the quintessential combination for those who have a penchant for speed on land and sea.

Monaco Yacht Show’s reputation to foster healthy communication within every area of the yachting ecosystem reaches far and wide geographically.  We observed lots of dialogue about sustainability and eco-responsibility, as well as practical updates about yacht technology, insurance, legal advice, superyacht interiors and protective coatings.

IGY Marinas hosted seminars with updates about Sardinia’s Porto Cervo and the development of Sète Marina located between Barcelona and the French Riviera, while out on the quays new projects were being discussed such as Royal Huisman’s PURA concept, Monaco Marine’s mega yacht shipyard in Marseille and Benetti’s BNow models, designed by RWD studio that were introduced at Cannes Yachting Festival earlier in the month.

Ultimately, Monaco Yacht Show is an effective platform for yachting businesses at the forefront of the industry to obtain feedback from clients and launch new products or services.  For emerging brands, Monaco remains the definitive yacht show to observe trends and make pathways to opportunities.

Rebecca Whitlocke is a freelance writer based on the French RIviera and reported on behalf of Haute Living and Haute Time. 

Photos courtesy of Monaco Yacht Show