The mood was generally upbeat at the 2105 Monaco Yacht Show, with exhibitors and visitors out in full force at the event, which marked its silver jubilee

This year’s edition of the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) saw a record number of exhibitors attend the prestigious event amid signs that the superyacht industry was sailing ahead despite turbulence in world markets.

At 18.30 on Saturday, September 26, the horns from 121 superyachts that had sat sedately in Port Hercules for four days voiced their appreciation, marking the end of another successful Monaco Yacht Show.

Visitor number at this year’s event increased by 1,400 to 34,500, compared to the previous year, possibly indicating that despite the turbulence in world markets and political strife, demand for new and second-hand superyachts remains strong, according to Informa Exhibitions, the event’s organiser.

“Several factors have affected this year’s summer cruising season and the demand for used vessels,” says a spokesman for the organiser. “Sales appear good while chartering is off the chart, possibly signified by the fleet – less numerous than in recent years – anchored off the port. This is the result of a lower euro, Russian sanctions, cheaper fuel, a longer charter season, or probably owners realising the investment potential of their vessels to the charter market and not selling. 

He continues: “Of course, we are all aware of the disappearance of several significant builders during the past year – an indication of a tough new-build market – even though major northern European yards still have good order books.

“However, what is also interesting is the surge in refit and refinishing projects, not just in Europe but also in the US, for this winter. This has probably been triggered by a lower euro and Turkish lira as well as the significant charter returns netted by owners, who are now willing to improve their offerings for next year.”

At the event, owners were walking the docks alongside many high-profile businessmen from the industry itself. 

Featuring a record 582 exhibitors and their partners, the show was busy with differing feedback on the activity within the tents of the show’s location at Quai Antoine 1er. 

Many of these stands were relocated from other areas of the show where construction work is, and will be, taking place for several more years. 

With the difficulties caused by the building of the new underground car-park and the unavoidable segregation of the show, all efforts were made by the organisers to enhance the number of visitors to this new area. 

These included a new Monte Carlo Tender Show, a water toys show, a pop-up bar, a coffee terrace at Jetée Lucciana, golf carts to ferry visitors from Quai Antoine 1er to Parvis Piscine and back and extra ferries to carry people across the port. Also, berths for four large yachts were introduced at Quai Rainier III which in the future could host three 120 m superyachts. 

“These measures worked in part and though there were some complaints of a lower footfall, exhibitors were in general satisfied by the quality of the visitors,” the spokesman says, adding that there were reports of “good business done”. 

Informa says that steps to improve next year’s event will be investigated and implemented and feedback from attendees would be welcomed by the MYS team.


AWARDS

As many as 700 people attended the show’s inaugural party at the Salle des Etoiles – Sporting Monte Carlo, where the second MYS Awards were presented. 

The Monaco Award went to Taransay by Rossinavi, the MYS/RINA Award to Madame Kate by Amels. Ester III by Lürssen won the MYS Exterior Design Award, Madame Kate by Amels won the MYS Interior Design Award, and The Finest New Yacht of the 2015 MYS Award was won by Silverfast by Silver Yachts.

The buzz around the show this year was exceptional, says Informa, adding that restaurants were stretched to keep up their service levels and the hotels sold out weeks in advance. 

An interesting fact was that more than 400 journalists attended the show including prominent journalists from outside of the yachting industry. The likes of CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC and the BBC were to be seen, a sign that the high-end yachting market is no longer the preserve of an elite group of insiders but is now becoming a mainstream news offering for the world’s wealthy, the spokesman points out. 

The MYS Captain & Crew lounge, which made its debut last year, was also a great success, he says. “Our sponsors and the visiting captains and crew are beginning to discover that our new lounge is the place to visit when at the show.” 

Though Informa realised that because of the changes that took place this year it would not be possible to keep everyone happy, early feedback has been positive with many exhibitors reporting a good stream of enquiries, he says. 

“Of course, the networking that took place at stands, restaurants, parties and other gatherings is not quantifiable but being able to bring so many professional people into one space at the same time has in itself to be worth the effort to all of those that attended,” he says. “The MYS is without doubt one of the major cogs that helps weld our industry together with B2C and B2B being possible, as nowhere else in the world, and being a part of the experience allows participants to be a part of an industry that has no equal.”

“The organisers would like to emphasise that the building works were unavoidable and integral to the development of Port Hercules, Monaco, and the future of the MYS. The relocation of the Darse Nord exhibitors – many of whom have been with us since our early days – was unavoidable as the layout of the port only offered us the one option, and we have to thank the Monaco government for allowing us the use of Quai Antoine 1er,” he concludes.

Next year’s event will be held from September 28 to October 1, 2016.