Monaco Yacht Show 2016: A Round-Up
The Monaco Yacht Show has finished for another year, bringing the Mediterranean yacht charter season to an emphatic close. The finest superyachts and luxury goods were celebrated at Monaco’s Port Hercules from 28th September to 1st October 2016. Once again, MYS more than delivered on its promise of four days of high-end maritime exhibitions and it attracted around 34,000 visitors from all corners of the globe. The annual show reflects the constant changes in the industry with special events and conferences catering to a well-heeled and discerning clientele.
Video credit: Monaco Yacht Show
The 26th Monaco Yacht Show exhibited 125 yachts with a total market value of around €3 billion. It also hosted 530 exhibitors including peripheral luxury industries such as transportation and jewellery. The participants include private clients, high-level visitors, shipbuilders and managers of large brokerage companies, who are keen to learn about the recent health of the sector. This year, there was a positive atmosphere with many negotiations and client conversations conveying confidence in the industry. Yacht & Villa International made one of the biggest sales of the event – the 46m Heesen-built Sweet Doll, for a final price of €9.4 million after six months on the market.
Navigating the Show
Organisers gave special attention to improving transit between the different exhibition areas. The whole of Port Hercules was navigated by a tender shuttle service, which offered direct routes between the quays. The golf cart service introduced new stops and extended service hours to back up the networks of bus shuttles and courtesy cars.
Attention-Grabbing Superyachts
The most popular yacht this year was the 70m long fast displacement superyacht M/Y Galactica Super Nova which won two awards. She won the top prize for best exterior design at the annual Monaco Yacht Show Gala that was held in the ballroom of the ultra-exclusive Hotel Hermitage. She also won the 2016 MYS Finest New Superyacht award as well. Galactica Super Nova is as out of this world as her name suggests, with exterior lines designed by Espen Øino International and construction by the internationally-renowned Heesen Yachts in Holland. She’ll be among good company when she crosses the Atlantic to be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; so if you haven’t seen her yet, book your tickets for November. The 55-metre M/Y Elixir won the exclusive Baccarat SuperYacht World Trophy.
The Car Deck
This year, the Monaco Yacht Show inaugurated a brand new exhibition space dedicated exclusively to luxury automobiles. The ‘Car Deck’ was situated on Quai Rainier III in Port Hercules alongside the largest yachts in the show, and displayed prestigious marques such as Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes and Tesla. The cars were available for test drives and purchasing.
Aston Martin on the Water
A famous automobile brand was making a splash on the water. Aston Martin debuted the AM37 powerboat, which epitomises the speed, style, and sophistication of the brand. The AM37 is a day cruiser. It incorporates elements of Aston Martin’s distinctive style in its carbon fibre dashboard and crafted leather features. It transforms into an overnight berth by converting the table into a comfortable bed. The comfortable air-conditioned cabin has a refrigerator, microwave oven, coffee machine and a bathroom. Rear seating is available for up to eight people.
Ultimately, it was another spectacular show. There were plenty of impressive debuts, such as Gulf Craft’s 47m Majesty 155, which made its European premiere. Long-standing yachts, such as the 107m Ulysses out at anchor, also got plenty of attention. Other yachts provided inspiration to architects and shipyards with their constantly-evolving innovation, creativity and luxurious designs.
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