Monaco Yacht Show 2021 Preview

From 22-25 September, Port Hercules will host the much awaited 2021 edition of Monaco Yacht Show organised under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. 

Monaco Yacht Show has always been a big player in the world of luxury yachting, whereby buyers, exhibitors and vendors can network with industry leaders and maritime suppliers to discuss their next yachting project or explore current and future trends in the superyacht sector.  

There have been murmurs across the industry about the pricing of show tickets and the relevance of the event after a hiatus since 2019, however the show has endeavoured to take on board feedback from companies within the yachting and luxury markets. The commitment has paid off - over 300 global exhibitors and 60+ superyachts are confirmed in attendance representing brokers, yacht builders and designers, marine suppliers, tender manufacturers, gadgets and toys, luxury autos and private aviation. 

There will be a few new teasers to keep things fresh such as the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub, as well as exhibition zones from previous years dedicated to luxury suppliers (Parvis Piscine tent), nautical equipment manufacturers and the latest tech launches (Darse Sud and Quai Albert 1er).   

The new show format was announced earlier this year with the roll out of show badges in three categories: ‘Discover’ badge holders for those superyacht end users who wish to buy or charter a yacht, ‘Advise’ badges for advisors and consultants and the ‘Connect’ badge for trade visitors. The aim is that the new badge system will make it easier for ‘Discover’ pass holders to meet directly with shipyards, designers and brokers in a quieter environment. 

Monaco yacht summit 

On Tuesday 21 September, the Monaco Yacht Summit will take place at the Monaco Yacht Club. Speakers at the Monaco Yacht Summit will cover key information that charter clients and owners need to know before entering the yachting world. The event is exclusively dedicated to owners or participants with a current or future yacht project (build, charter or purchase). 

This year's Monaco Yacht Summit will be moderated by Martin Hager, editor-in-chief of German superyacht magazine Boote Exclusiv and a formal naval architect with more than 18 years of experience in yachting. Joining him will be a panel of experts sharing their insight: 

Business Report - Perspectives on industry trends and aspects of chartering, buying, building and operating a superyacht. 

Speakers:
Jonathan Beckett, CEO Burgess (broker)
Michael Bremen, Sales Director, Lürssen (shipyard)
Rose Damen, Managing Director, Damen/Amels (shipyard)
Aino-Leena Grapin, CEO, Winch Design (yacht design). 

Charter - How to choose your superyacht and your broker? How to optimise a yacht for charter, what are the essential ingredients to provide/look for? Location, booking process, what to watch out for? The speakers will address the essential ingredients that combine to deliver a successful charter. 

Speakers:
Margarita Amam, CEO, IMS GmbH (refit shipyard)
Charlie Birkett, CEO and Cofounder, Y.CO (broker) 

New Build - Looking at the practical steps involved in commissioning and building a new construction project from a client perspective, the panellists will include shipyard, naval architecture, project management and legal expertise providing their guidance to delegates on undertaking a new construction project. 

Speakers:
Tim Schommer, Partner/Lawyer, Clyde & Co (Expert lawyers in yachting)
Derek Munro, owners rep, Divergent Yachting (yacht management)
Daniele Moltedo, Custom Head of Manufacturing & Warranty Department Manager, Benetti (shipyard)
Richie Blake, MD, Döhle Yachts 

From Design to Delivery - The megayacht Viva will be one of the most awaited world premieres at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show. The team from the Dutch shipyard Feadship presents all the key stages in the construction of this impressive 94-metre luxury vessel, which has been delivered to her owner this year.  Speakers include Farouk Nefzi, Chief Marketing Officer at Feadship and Tanno Weeda, Head of Design at Studio De Voogt. 

Dockside area 

The new Dockside Area, will be exclusively open to end customers (in possession of a "Discover", "Advise" or "Sapphire Experience" badges) on Wednesday 22 September, before being opened up to all visitors starting Thursday. The aim is to facilitate ease of access to companies directly linked with the construction or management of superyachts and tenders. 

Yacht spotting at Monaco Yacht Show 2021 

Monaco Yacht Show is a yachting event that delivers on world premieres, head turning designs and first glimpses of the best yachts; this year almost 40 yachts are new deliveries. 

All eyes will be on Viva, the 94-metre vessel from Dutch yard Feadship and one of the most talked about superyachts that will be on display at MYS.  Artefact, built by Nobriskrug in 2019, will be exhibited at the show and still picking up media attention from her recent World Superyacht Award trophies. 

Tatiana, the 80-metre by Bilgin Yachts will make her world premiere at MYS and is the first vessel of a series of three superyachts under construction by the Turkish builder, while Cloud 9 (61.5-metres) built by Sanlorenzo with interiors by Francesco Paszkowski Design will be on display at Appontement Jules Socal S12.   

Columbus Yachts, a brand of Palumbo Superyachts, will present the new 50-metre Sport M/Y K2. Columbus Sport 50 has naval engineering developed by both Palumbo Superyachts in collaboration with the Hydro Tec studio, while the exterior and interior design is penned by Luca Dini Design & Architecture. 

Explorer yachts and support vessels will feature in the show listings - brand-new 85-metre explorer Victorious will be a must-see at this year’s show; its stand-out feature is a huge 200sqm beach club with 77.5sqm pool, two lounge and bar areas, gym, full wellness spa and two sea terraces.   Rossinavi will showcase their largest construction to date, ice explorer Polaris (70.2 metres), whilst support vessel 55-metre Time Off by Damen Yachting recently seen at anchor during Cannes Yachting Festival will also make an appearance in Monaco. 

Sailing yachts will be located on Quai L’Hirondelle - don’t miss the debuts of Baltic 146 Path, the 44.6-metre built by Baltic Yachts and Taniwha, the 32.37-metre designed by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design and built by Southern Wind Shipyard. 

See the full list of yachts on display at MYS 2021  

Health measures for MYS 2021 

Sanitary and health measures will be in place at MYS 2021 in accordance with updated rules and complying with enhanced health and safety standards. General Manager of the show Gaëlle Tallarida stated: "We are following the evolution of the pandemic very closely, as well as the sanitary constraints applied in each of our visitors' home countries. As organisers of the exhibition, our responsibility is to ensure safe and healthy conditions for each visitor, exhibitor, service provider and member of staff. The MYS will therefore be following the health measures instated by the principality’s government, as well as the 'AllSecure' health security programme, which is mandatory for all Informa Group events.” 

In advance, exhibitors and visitors can familiarise themselves with the MYS sanitary and health measures.

Upper Deck Lounge 

A welcoming space where luxury brands including show sponsor Ulysse Nardin, Paola Lenti, Dassault Aviation and Sabrina Monte-Carlo showcase the best examples of luxury lifestyle.  Refreshments can be enjoyed in the lounge-bar, or dining in the restaurant upstairs with a menu by Fairmont Monte-Carlo. 

VIPs 

The official VIP programme for MYS, the Sapphire Experience, continues for the 2021 show with yacht visits, meeting coordination with designers, a VIP lounge and courtesy car transport.  VIPs will have two dedicated entrances:  one near Monaco Yacht Club and the other near the Upper Deck Lounge. 

Yacht Design & Innovation Hub 

Located on Virage Louis Chiron inside the show’s Dockside area (superyacht and tender exhibition), this brand-new exhibition area will be dedicated to design and innovation in superyachting. The aim of the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub is to offer a deeper experience to a new generation of customers who attend the show with plans to build their future yacht. 

Future charterers and yacht owners can meet a selection of top-notch designers who will present their work and they will share their expert insight on the current and future trends in yachting.   During MYS, designers will hold 15-minute talks about yacht design and their experience or projects (the live daily talks are free access to visitors dependent on room capacity and sanitary measures; there is no registration required). 

Some of the designers who will present at the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub are Espen Øino, Winch Design, Luiz De Basto Designs and Sam Sorgiovanni. 

Sailing Yacht Area 

Specially dedicated to sailing yachts, the latest addition to the Monaco Yacht Show is the Sailing Yacht area on Quai L'Hirondelle - the place to meet yacht builders, designers and specialist equipment manufacturers.  

Car Deck 

The Car Deck will showcase 30 or so customised vehicles plus a collection of bespoke motorbikes that are available for purchase and test drives at the show.  The Car Deck exhibition space is located on Quai Antoine 1er, next to the exhibition zone for tenders and toys.  Brands include Klassen, Brabus and Mercedes-Benz Classic. 

Tenders & Toys 

The Tenders & Toys zone will display a selection of superyacht tenders available for purchase or sea trial from companies including Pascoe International, Wajer Yachts and Nautique. As well, visitors can find the latest toys from world-class brands such as Triton Submarines. 

C&C Lounge 

Reserved for pre-registered yacht crew, the Captains' & Crew Lounge (C&C Lounge) is a dedicated space with entertainment, free snacks and coffee, wifi access and a wellness lounge.  Breakfast and lunch service is offered exclusively to the captains and crews of the yachts exhibited at the show.  On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, crew can enjoy sundowners and live music on the terrace. 

Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health 

Since 2010, the Monaco Yacht Show has been supporting the environmental protection actions led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.  

On Thursday 23 September, an exclusive event will be held at the Princely Palace to mark the 15th anniversary of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the 5th edition of the Monte-Carlo Gala.  

Hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health is dedicated to the Ocean, Earth and Humanity, highlighting this indisputable certainty: our future is dependent of healthy ecosystems.  The event will feature a charity auction, led by star auctioneer Simon de Pury, offering collectors once-in-a-lifetime experiences, memorabilia, stunning bespoke jewellery, invaluable artworks and more. 

Monaco Yacht Show 2021 may be a quieter affair and move at a slower pace than usual this year with many exhibitors still impacted by international travel restrictions, however it will surely remain the perfect interplay between the superyacht sector and luxury lifestyle. 

Images courtesy of Monaco Yacht Show