All Eyes on Barcelona as the MYBA Charter Show 2023 Comes to Town

Posted: 17th Apr 2023 | Written By: Naomi Chadderton

With just one week to go until the start of the MYBA Charter Show, which marks the beginning of the Mediterranean charter season, all eyes are on Barcelona as the industry-only event brings an impressive fleet of superyachts, brokerage firms and yacht crews to Marina Port Vell. Visitors and exhibitors can expect a whole host of social entertainment, workshops and awards ceremonies to enjoy, as well as ample networking opportunities and competitions designed to encourage and uphold high standards across all spheres of the superyacht industry.

A by-invitation only Show Opening Cocktail will be held on Tuesday 25 April at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), with long-standing supporters of the show and platinum sponsors BWA Yachting in attendance. “BWA Yachting has long supported the MYBA Charter Show, and our involvement with the event stretches back almost 15 years during which time it has forged deep-rooted connections with this important yachting organisation, its members and other long-time exhibitors,” says Paschalis Patsiokas, CEO of BWA Yachting. “MYBA’s continuous effort to provide for our industry needs, which is also our mission, makes BWA Yachting a natural partner of their show. We are confident that the 2023 edition will be a great one."

Begüm Yachting is also a platinum sponsor of the show, sponsoring the Captains' Safety Briefing & Welcome Dinner, with both events scheduled to be held on Sunday April 23 within the world-class facilities of Marina Port Vell. The Wellness Area is also back this year with sponsorship by Angels On Board.

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Attending Yachts at MYBA 2023

There are currently 26 superyachts signed up to this year’s show, with more to be signed up in due course. Big names include the 90.1m Nero, 76.6m Boadicea and 70m Joy, as well as the 73.5m Siren. Built by Nobiskrug, Siren is made for outdoor living with infinite sunbathing options, outdoor cinema and a choice of al fresco areas. The sun deck is the yacht's hub during the day with sun pads at every angle and a refreshing jacuzzi. Guests can take a morning yoga class or enjoy an early evening massage before they settle on the sofas to enjoy a movie as the area is transformed into an atmospheric outdoor cinema.

Siren can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins. The master suite is spacious with full length windows, a fold-down balcony and an office. The walk-in wardrobe leads into his and hers bathrooms with Lalique fittings. There is also the option of assembling a fold-down bed in the office area to create additional family accommodation. There are four ensuite cabins on the lower deck (1 VIP, 2 double cabins, 1 twin cabin) and a further double cabin is located on the bridge deck, with an elevator connecting all three interior levels.

Also at the show will be the 50.75m Aresteas delivered in 2017 by Yildizlar and characterised by a luxurious sense of detail throughout. With a high volume interior that allows you to live as comfortably on board as you would on land, she can accomodate up to 12 guests in six staterooms (1 master suite, 2 VIP suites, 2 twin cabins and 1 double cabin), all with ensuite bathrooms. Her three decks offer an exceptional blend of quality features: a fitness room, a wellness area that includes a sauna with a Himalayan salt wall and a massage room, and a cinema.

Pictured yachts (clockwise from top left): Joy (courtesy of Burgess Yachts), Siren (courtesy of Burgess Yachts), Figurati (courtesy of SuperyachtsMonaco), Heerlijckheid (courtesy of Boatsters Black SL).

MYBA Superyacht Chefs' Competition

The MYBA Superyacht Chefs' Competition is also back, and this year sustainability and foraged fare is the overarching theme. The challenge for the superyacht chefs will be to create a guest dinner party using as many foraged items as they can in three courses (starter, main and dessert), with a minimum of two foraged food items included in each dish.

The chief steward/esses will need to prepare a rustic dinner party table setting also using elements of foraged and upcycled items in their decor. Details concerning both competitions have already been uploaded to the Competition section of the show's official website and can be downloaded.

It is certainly a challenging theme and one that requires careful planning and preparation. The foraged food items can be gathered over time (dried, frozen, fermented or preserved in any way). They can also be gathered at the time of the competition, so advance notice ensures that the superyacht chefs won't find themselves in a pickle.

Image credits (L-R): MY Pisces and MY Snowbird, shot by Stuart Pearce (Yachtshot).

Seminars at MYBA 2023

This year’s Gold Sponsor is H&V Yachting, who will be conducting a seminar on Tuesday April 25. This will be a ‘Discussion on EU VAT and Customs’ current hot topics and will be held from 08:30 to 09:30 in the Seminar Room which is located on the 1st floor of The Gallery building.

H&V Yachting was founded in 2019 and based on a simple yet innovative idea: providing all customs, tax and VAT services for superyachts under one hat. H&V Yachting was an immediate success and has expanded its team, client base, range of services and geographical footprint ever since.

Star destination: Australia

Superyacht Australia, the peak body for the Australian superyacht industry, will be the sponsor of the inaugural Star Destination activities during the 2023 MYBA Charter Show. The aim of this particular sponsorship is to highlight one amazing superyacht destination, and all that it has to offer, at every MYBA Charter Show.

Australia has an abundance of iconic destinations waiting to be discovered by the global superyacht fleet including visiting Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, diving in the Great Barrier Reef, celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney Harbour and exploring the remote Kimberley Coast in Western Australia. But there is so much more to Australia and those who attend the 2023 MYBA Charter Show will have the opportunity to expand their horizons, so make sure to add the repeat short Star Destination Seminars to your agenda when the time comes.

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With a dynamic and highly adventurous generation entering the charter market and restrictions easing, Australia is finally establishing itself as a world-class charter destination. Foreign flagged charter is now available in Australia making it the perfect base for a charter yacht in the South Pacific region and the Australian superyacht industry is sparing no effort to ensure that the country has a brilliant future.