Blohm+Voss appoints new Chief Executive

Fred van Beers who has been appointed as the new CEO of shipbuilder Blohm+Voss
Fred van Beers who has been appointed as the new CEO of shipbuilder Blohm+Voss

Blohm+Voss has appointed Fred van Beers as its Chief Executive Officer Management Board (CEO). As of 1 March 2015, Fred van Beers will take over from Dr Herbert Aly as CEO to lead Blohm+Voss’ growth strategy. His focus will be on developing the luxury yacht business. He will also work to strengthen the leading position of Blohm+Voss in general repairs and conversions with a specific focus for cruise ships and vessels for the off-shore industry.

Fred van Beers (52) has held senior leadership positions in the maritime industry for more than 15 years. He joins Blohm+Voss from his current position as Vice President Services Northern Europe at Wärtsilä, the global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the maritime industry and energy markets with a presence in more than 70 countries.

Continue reading “Blohm+Voss appoints new Chief Executive”

Palma Superyacht Show looks forward to its third edition

The Palma Superyacht Show returns for its third edition alongside the Palma Boat Show
The Palma Superyacht Show returns for its third edition alongside the Palma Boat Show

Having made its debut in 2013, the Palma Superyacht Show, in partnership with MYBA, is now a firm fixture on the yachting calendar. Running concurrently with the 32nd Boat Show Palma, this Mediterranean season opener takes place from 30 April to 4 May 2015.

Jane Thompson, Coordinator of the Palma Superyacht Show, says, “Avoiding comparisons with Cannes or Monaco, the Palma Superyacht Show has established its own clear identity as a brokerage and charter show of excellence, perfectly timed before the summer season. Designed to coincide with 1 May, a public holiday in most European countries, as well as the UK’s Monday ‘May Day’, we hope visitors will take a long weekend break in hospitable Palma, enjoy the sunshine and see a great selection of top quality yachts.”

Continue reading “Palma Superyacht Show looks forward to its third edition”

Royal Huisman to build 56 metre classic ketch

An impression of what the new 56 metre classic ketch to be built by Royal Huisman will look like
An impression of what the new 56 metre classic ketch to be built by Royal Huisman will look like

A classic ketch for family oriented Caribbean cruising and more is being built for an American couple, Royal Huisman has announced. The 183’7” (56-metre) megayacht, to be christened Aquarius, is set for delivery in late 2017.

Aquarius bears styling and naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects. The wood clad deckhouse, teak decks, long overhangs, rich-blue hull, and oval ports give her the profile the owners wanted. Royal Huisman has yet to release full specifications on her sailplan and structural dimensions, though the yacht is intended for good performance in light airs. Aquarius may further participate in some bucket regattas.

Continue reading “Royal Huisman to build 56 metre classic ketch”

Fincantieri Yachts delivers one of the tenth largest mega yachts in the world

Fincanteiri Yachts has delivered one of the tenth largest mega yachts in the world and the largest to be built in Italy
Fincanteiri Yachts has delivered one of the tenth largest mega yachts in the world and the largest to be built in Italy

At 140 metres long, the “Ocean Victory” is the largest yacht ever built in Italy and, according to the sector rankings, one of the tenth largest ever built in the world. The new mega yacht is positioned on the top market segment in terms of quality and performance and is characterized by complexity, high technology content, innovation, extreme care to details in the interior and exterior design.

The new ship has been acquired also thanks to the commitment of Alex Lees Buckley, broker with more than 30 years of experience in the most prestigious projects of the internationally renowned brokerage company Camper & Nicholsons. “Ocean Victory” has been designed on the basis of a new, unique concept, brainchild of the Monaco based naval designer Espen Oeino and the Paris based interior designer Cabinet Alberto Pinto. The new unit has been developed by the team of Fincantieri Yachts – business unit of Fincantieri specifically focused on this area.

Continue reading “Fincantieri Yachts delivers one of the tenth largest mega yachts in the world”

Sunseeker appoints new Chief Executive

Philip Popham who has been appointed as the new CEO of Sunseeker
Philip Popham who has been appointed as the new CEO of Sunseeker

Sunseeker has announced that former Land Rover managing director Phil Popham will be taking over as the company’s new chief executive officer, based in Poole, Dorset.

The appointment takes effect onfrom 1 January 2015 and sees Phil take over from founder Robert Braithwaite CBE, who has been acting president since the previous Sunseeker CEO Stewart MacIntyre stood down in July.

Phil spent 25 years at Jaguar Land Rover and held numerous titles including group marketing director, group sales director and managing director of Land Rover.

Continue reading “Sunseeker appoints new Chief Executive”

The importance of the superyacht industry underlined

Sir Alan Massey underlines the importance of the superyacht industry
Sir Alan Massey underlines the importance of the superyacht industry

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has outlined the importance of the superyacht industry.

Sir Alan was speaking at the recent Monaco Yacht Show. He was there representing the UK’s Shipping Minister, John Hayes.

The MCA is a world leader in maritime administration and the originator of the Large Commercial Yacht Code, LY3, which covers safety for yachts that are more than 24-metres in length. Ensign, the MCA’s large yacht services division, offers sector-leading advice and guidance in areas including the LY3 code, the Maritime Labour Convention and Seafarers’ Standards.

Continue reading “The importance of the superyacht industry underlined”

Registered Marine Coatings Inspectors course announces 2015 dates

RMCI logoThe management team behind of the Registered Marine Coatings Inspectors course and qualification (RMCI) has released dates for its courses for 2015.

After the first course in Amsterdam from 6-10 December, the following dates and locations have been organised.

RMCI Course Portsmouth: 19-23 January 2015
RMCI Course Genoa: 9-13 March 2015
RMCI Course Hamburg: 27 April to 1 May 2015

Continue reading “Registered Marine Coatings Inspectors course announces 2015 dates”

International Superyacht Coatings Conference

International Superyacht Coatings Conference
International Superyacht Coatings Conference

The International Superyacht Coatings Conference will take place on 11 – 12 December 2014 and is being held at Amsterdam Rai.

The International Superyacht Coatings Conference (ISCC) is a prominent business-to-business event organised by Amsterdam RAI in association with ICOMIA and the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss). Specialising in superyacht coating processes and related rules and legislation, ISCC is much more than a conference and networking event – delegates will be encouraged to participate and contribute, not merely spectate. This highly interactive event will provide genuine opportunities to influence future decisions surrounding current issues facing the coatings industry.

Continue reading “International Superyacht Coatings Conference”

Ferretti to launch the 550 range

Ferretti_Group_logoThe 2014 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival, which marked the beginning of the new international nautical season, was the perfect stage to announce the next, enthralling chapter of a 45 year business history. It was there, indeed, that Ferretti Yachts presented the project of the Ferretti Yachts 550, the new entry-level yacht in the Ferretti Yachts range – a very important boat that will help the brand and the Ferretti Group as a whole to achieve the growth objectives they are currently pursuing.

“During Cannes Yachting Festival we introduced our global sales network and the Press to our forthcoming ambitious plans for this brand”, explains Stefano De Vivo, Ferretti Group’s Chief Commercial Officer. “And this new entry-level craft is part of a strategy aimed at attracting the interest of many new owners all over the world, for whom this new 55-footer and the forthcoming Ferretti Yachts boats will be a response to their wish to enjoy the sea as never before.”

Continue reading “Ferretti to launch the 550 range”

New research points to British superyacht success

With the improvement in the UK economy, British superyacht sector is gaining momentum. Recent research by the BMF says that 69% of members responding to the Superyacht UK survey rating prospects for the next 12 months as good or excellent. The forecast is the most positive outlook for UK based superyacht manufacturing and supply for seven years. The value of the UK superyacht industry has grown to £492 million in 2013/14, a 7.1% increase from 2012/13.

Whilst last year’s headlines reported an increase in refit, this year it is new builds that are driving the improved results with 57% of superyacht revenues from new orders. Overall, 59% of respondents experienced a higher workload over the last 12 months compared to the same period a year ago.

Continue reading “New research points to British superyacht success”

Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced

Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced for the first time
Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced for the first time

The first ever Monaco Yacht Show Awards were held the night before the show opened. Nominees included Como, Entourage, Equanimity, Grace E, Polaris and Solandge.

The ceremony began with Gaelle Tallarida, show Managing Director, welcoming the industry representatives to the 24th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. There followed a short speech from the Minister and an award was made to the new construction project Yersin, which has been built by a resident Monaco owner.

Continue reading “Monaco Yacht Show Awards announced”

Echo Yachts formed in Australia

A Singapore based family has formed Echo Yachts, a yacht builder that is to be located in Western Australia’s Henderson Marine Precinct. Their purpose is to undertake the building of the family’s yachts, including the largest ever superyacht built in Australia. The new company has brought together what would seem to be a regional who’s who of the Australian superyacht industry.

Commenting on the project, Echo Yachts director Mark Stothard said “Together with my partners Jurien Van Rongen and Nick Gardiner, we are thrilled to have been selected to head-up this project and we are very excited about the world class credentials of those who will be working with us.”

The 84 metre aluminium vessel will be the largest tri-hulled superyacht ever built anywhere. Construction will take three years from start to finish. The superyacht’s external design and interior styling will be led by Fremantle based (and world renowned superyacht designer) Sam Sorgiovanni. One2three Naval Architects, who operate from both Sydney and Henderson, will act as the project’s naval architects.

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine