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Azimut Yachts has solidified its presence in the burgeoning Middle Eastern market following a successful showing at the Dubai International Boat Show. The Italian yacht builder announced an expansion of its partnership with Elite Yachts, now extending their dealership to include Saudi Arabia. This strategic move is bolstered by the introduction of the exclusive Azimut Concierge Service, designed to enhance the ownership experience for its clientele.The Dubai International Boat Show proved a fruitful event for Azimut, who participated alongside Azimut Yachts Gulf, their exclusive dealer for the Gulf region. The Middle East represents a significant growth opportunity, fueled by recent investments in infrastructure, including state-of-the-art marinas tailored for luxury yachts, thus fostering the development of nautical tourism.Azimut's success in the Middle East is evident, with a remarkable 25% year-over-year increase in turnover. This growth is attributed to a well-defined strategy that seamlessly integrates product innovation and superior service, essential for both attracting and retaining yacht owners.Azimut's diverse yacht range caters to a variety of lifestyles, offering pioneering technology and design innovations. Supporting this, Azimut Yachts Gulf plays a vital role, now managing the Saudi Arabian market to reinforce its position as a key partner for Azimut and its owners, expanding the brand’s footprint across the region. To further enhance customer engagement, Azimut Yachts Gulf plans to launch five new boutiques in key cities like Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, and Kuwait, offering an immersive Azimut brand experience.Azimut Yachts Gulf provides continuous support throughout the purchase and ownership journey. The recently launched Azimut Concierge Service offers a dedicated, multilingual team available 24/7 to address every client need, whether on land or at sea, delivering a personalized and seamless experience. Furthermore, leveraging a highly qualified team and advanced resources, the company offers top-tier assistance to owners and will soon open a new Service Centre in Dubai to ensure swift and efficient support."We are delighted to expand our dealership agreement with Elite Yachts to include Saudi Arabia," stated Enrico Chiaussa, Chief Commercial Officer EMEA-APAC of Azimut. "This strengthened relationship allows us to introduce the Azimut Concierge Service, a targeted and exclusive offering for our customers in the region. Saudi Arabia is a highly promising market in the Middle East, with a growing demand for luxury yachts, including larger models. Thanks to the professionalism and vision of Elite Yachts, we are confident in our ability to fully capitalize on these opportunities and further solidify our leadership in the region."Ahmad Al Ameeri, CEO of Al Ameeri Group Holding, owner of Elite Yachts, added, "This marks a significant milestone in our decade-long successful partnership with Azimut, built on shared values of excellence, innovation, and commitment to delivering world-class experiences. As we embark on this new chapter, we are excited to bring Azimut’s unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury to the dynamic Saudi market. We thank Azimut for their continued partnership and look forward to contributing to their global expansion, setting new benchmarks for success in this vital region."Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, Azimut offers the widest range of 10 to 40 meters.Credits: Azimut Yachts

The Italian Sea Group has announced the successful launch of Fantasy, the fourth 58-meter Perini Navi motor yacht. The vessel, constructed from steel and aluminum, features an exterior design by Philippe Briand, the renowned French architect behind Vitruvius Yachts. The launch ceremony occurred last week at the Group’s shipyard in La Spezia, fully revealing the yacht's distinctive lines for the first time. Camper & Nicholsons’ New Build Division played a crucial role in the project, providing technical surveying and project management to ensure the owner's vision was realized.The interior of Fantasy was meticulously designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners. With a beam of 9.8 meters and a volume of 800 GT, the yacht offers ample space across four decks, accommodating six guest cabins and up to eleven crew members. "Fantasy" embodies the superyacht design and naval engineering of the Vitruvius Yachts fleet, which includes notable vessels like the 50-meter M/Y Falco Moscata (formerly Exuma), the 55m M/Y Galileo G, and the 73m M/Y Nautilus (formerly Grace E).In related news, The Italian Sea Group has announced the development of a new Perini Navi motor yacht line, designed by its Centro Stile. This innovative project aims to blend the elegance of sailing yachts with the comfort and performance of motor yachts. The new line will include models ranging from 33 to 60 meters, with 40-meter and 50-meter versions also planned.Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group, stated, "We decided to continue with the product strategy of the previous Perini Navi ownership, maintaining a vision that blends the timeless elegance of sailing with the comfort and performance of motor propulsion. This new motor yacht line represents a natural evolution of the brand. As always, our focus remains on technology and innovation, integrating low environmental impact propulsion solutions, in line with our vision of sustainability and excellence.”The new Perini Navi motor yacht line will be officially presented at the next Monaco Yacht Show.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: The Italian Sea Group

From today until February 28, over 100 yachting professionals are gathering in Bangkok for the 18th edition of Convergence, an annual training event organized by the Ferretti Group. The event focuses on innovation, safety, and future prospects within the yachting industry.Held in the vibrant Thai capital, Convergence provides attendees with three days of technical updates, discussions, and team-building activities. Officially opening on February 26, the event will highlight the group's recent achievements, showcase new models, and delve into the latest product innovations. An afternoon team-building exercise involves a guided tour of the Grand Palace, a historically and culturally significant site in Bangkok.The training program for 2025 centers on yachting safety, exploring topics such as emerging risks, new technologies, and changing scenarios. Notable speakers include Andrea Venturelli from RINA, Enrico Della Valentina from MARIN, Steve Clinch from Clinchmaritime Ltd, and Ulrich Heinemann from Heinemann Yacht Assessment, with Lucy Dunn moderating the discussion. In addition to the educational sessions, participants will engage in various team activities, exploring Bangkok's famous landmarks, bustling local markets, and other iconic attractions. Supported by esteemed sponsors including RINA, Sleipner, Volvo Penta, and Xenta, as well as technical partners Amare, Asea, MTU, Nanni, and Seakeeper, the event promises to foster meaningful connections and knowledge exchange within the industry.Ferretti After-Sales Services will also be present, offering attendees comprehensive information regarding their customer services tailored specifically for the group's captains. "For us, Convergence is an essential occasion to come together and learn," said Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. "Our captains represent the backbone of the Group, and we are deeply grateful for their professionalism and expertise. Events like this help us provide better tools and services to meet their evolving needs."The event concludes on February 28, leaving participants with enhanced skills, updated knowledge, and renewed enthusiasm for the future of yachting.Credits: Ferretti Group

SantaSevera is gearing up for a landmark 2025 with several key international events and fresh model introductions. Following the successful world premiere of the SantaSevera 52 at Boot Düsseldorf in January 2025, the yard is now turning its attention to establishing itself as a prominent player in the luxury yachting industry.Designed by renowned naval architect Francesco Guida, the SantaSevera range is defined by its elegant blend of contemporary design, spacious interiors, and superior performance. The SantaSevera 52 serves as the flagship model, catering to the growing demand for weekend getaways and chase boats. Its sleek aesthetics and meticulous craftsmanship reflect the hallmark qualities of Italian shipbuilding.Recognizing the importance of international exposure, SantaSevera plans to participate in several major exhibitions in 2025. From September 10th to 15th, the SantaSevera 52 will feature prominently at the Cannes Yachting Festival, followed by the Genoa International Boat Show from the 19th to the 24th. Later in the year, the brand will cross the Atlantic, with the third hull of the SantaSevera 52 slated to appear at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.Production-wise, SantaSevera is currently working on four units of the SantaSevera 52, while preparations are underway for the unveiling of the SantaSevera 40 — a more compact model — at the Cannes event. This demonstrates the shipyard's unwavering commitment to innovation and adaptability in addressing diverse market needs.Additionally, SantaSevera has been actively bolstering its sales network, positioning itself to compete effectively in a dynamic marketplace. By emphasizing unparalleled quality, precision, and innovation, the brand is poised to attract discerning buyers who appreciate fine craftsmanship and stylish design.With a bold vision for the future and a burgeoning lineup of products, SantaSevera looks forward to cementing its reputation as a leading force in the global luxury yachting arena. 2025 promises to be a transformative year for the shipyard, marked by significant milestones and expanded market presence.Credits: SantaSevera

Sialia Yacht is making waves with its range of advanced, all-electric performance cruisers. These yachts, ranging from 40 to 100 feet, combine style, performance, and comfort with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. Central to Sialia's innovative approach is its revolutionary electric drivetrain, developed by its sister company, Ampros.Sialia 45Ampros has created an electric system that incorporates a proprietary Ship Management System (SMS), a groundbreaking feature that elevates the functionality, safety, and longevity of the yachts. The SMS allows for features like extended battery operating parameters and remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance. This dedication to innovation, coupled with the yachts' construction using lifecycle-assessed and recycled materials, ensures that Sialia Yachts are not only environmentally friendly but also retain high resale values. Furthermore, Sialia Yachts backs its confidence in its technology by offering up to a 10-year warranty on its Ampros drivetrain and batteries.At the heart of Sialia's success is the collaboration between co-founder Stanislav Szadkowski, a veteran in green mobility with over two decades of experience in battery manufacturing, and Tomasz Gackowski, the founder and CEO of Ampros. Together, they have developed the most advanced systems in the industry. According to Milvio Ricci, Chief Operating Officer at Sialia Yachts, Ampros functions as a system integrator, having developed what is arguably the first truly practical and functional all-electric drivetrain in the marine market.The proprietary SMS acts as the "brain" of the drivetrain. Ricci explains that the SMS ensures the safety and optimal performance of the system by monitoring operations and enabling predictive and preventative maintenance. This capability is a key reason Sialia can offer extended warranties on its systems, including the batteries. The SMS also maximizes battery output, similar to how a performance map enhances a car engine's ECU. By safely accessing extra bands of capacity, the SMS allows Sialia yachts to utilize a greater percentage of the battery's potential. This capability has been proven by Sialia Yachts' first model, the 17.6-meter Sialia 57 "Deep Silence," which has lost only 2% of its total battery capacity over three years of extensive operation.The system also features a user-friendly graphical interface (GUI) that provides real-time information about the yacht's performance, range, and system status. The GUI also allows operators to monitor the status of pumps, cooling systems and battery systems, switch on the optional renewable-diesel range extender and more. Sialia has prioritized safety in its battery pack design. The batteries are engineered to prevent fires, with IP67-rated cases that discharge quickly if water intrusion occurs. Additionally, the batteries are installed in banks, ensuring continued operation even if one battery experiences a problem.The Ampros system at the core of Sialia Yachts is fully upgradeable, future-proofing the yachts as battery technology evolves. Owners can easily swap in new battery packs with higher capacity, instantly increasing range. The SMS also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing for on-the-fly improvements to system performance and efficiency. These features, along with the minimal maintenance needs of the electric drivetrain, ensure that Sialia Yachts will hold their value far longer than traditional yachts with combustion engines.Sialia 57 Deep Silence. Photo by BlueiprodEstablished in 2017, Sialia Yachts, owned by Silent Straits, is a company focused on sustainability and ocean-friendly innovation aiming to set new standards in yachting, with designs that inspire both enthusiasts and experts. The company offers the following models: 45, 59, and 80 Explorer. Sialia Yachts is based in Warsaw, Poland, with a team that includes members in the Netherlands and Italy.Credits: Sialia Yachts