Ocean Alexander has announced the appointment of Niel Steenkamp as its new Commercial Sales Director.
Steenkamp brings extensive experience in the boating industry, having been raised near the water in Cape Town, South Africa. His career began in the South African Navy as a submariner and continued with roles as a yacht captain and broker. Steenkamp expressed his passion for the industry, stating, “The sheer excitement of sailing and the endless possibilities of life on the water thrilled me and I thoroughly enjoy now sharing it.”
Niel Steenkamp
Dan Mundy, Head of Global Operations at Ocean Alexander, highlighted Steenkamp's talents in communication, organization, excellence, and trust, which align with the company's core values. Mundy said, “Niel has found an amazing career in the industry, not only serving his country in the Navy but later as a yacht captain, broker, and ambassador to his clients.”
For over 45 years, Ocean Alexander has been a leader in the luxury yacht industry, known for building stylish and seaworthy superyachts with meticulous attention to detail. The company focuses on the superyacht market with models ranging from 27M to 40M. In 2024, Ocean Alexander will offer four distinct series and a dozen models, with many yachts already sold and under construction.
Mundy emphasized Ocean Alexander's commitment to exceptional customer service, from sales consultation through commissioning and maintenance. He added, “With our global reach and exceptional dealer partnerships, we are poised to continually reach a broader audience and continue our path of growth through excellence. Niel’s passion and dedication make him a perfect addition to our team.”
Ocean Alexander is a family business. Two generations of one family have guided the shipyard for almost four decades. With manufacturing in Taiwan, Ocean Alexander is consistently one of the top selling brands for large yachts in the U.S. and currently produces models ranging from 26 to 36 meters in length.
Credits: Ocean Alexander
Tankoa Yachts has announced the launch of the T580 M/Y Diamond Binta, a 58-meter fully custom yacht. Sold in 2021, this vessel was designed for an experienced owner interested in extended voyages and high-end luxury.The T580, named Diamond Binta, represents advanced custom yacht building. Its sporty lines were designed by Francesco Paszkowski, with interior design by Margherita Casprini. "This new yacht, our first 58 meters, is the result of years of collaboration between the Paszkowski studio and Tankoa," says Eva Orsi, President of Tankoa Yachts. "I am proud of this project, which represents an evolution from the owner’s previous 50-meter yacht M/Y Binta D'Or. Its timeless design combined with cutting-edge solutions is the result of teamwork between client, designers, and shipyard, blending elegance and functionality. This construction confirms Tankoa's reputation as a boutique shipyard.”Key features of the T580 Diamond Binta include a forward helideck and a spacious aft beach club with fold-down bulwarks and a spa featuring a massage room. The fly deck includes a gym and a swimming pool, while the garage can accommodate two tenders, including a nine-meter limo tender. The yacht offers a master suite and five guest cabins, along with a panoramic corridor on the lower deck that connects the cabins directly to the beach area, passing through a viewable engine room.Built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the T580 Diamond Binta is scheduled for delivery by the end of July 2024. This yacht, showcasing Tankoa's dedication to bespoke craftsmanship, is set to debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024, followed by its maiden voyage through the Mediterranean.Tankoa was founded in 2007 and began production in 2008. A true “boutique shipyard”, focused on building semi-custom and custom constructions 45-meter and up.Credits: Leonardo Andreoni/Tankoa
June 28, 2024
MDL Marinas, one of Europe's largest marina groups, has announced a £2.2 million investment in upgrades at its Ocean Village Marina in Southampton. This investment has facilitated the complete replacement of all pontoons on the marina's south side and the implementation of new smart electric technology.The upgrade project began in mid-October 2023 and involved installing new pontoons from sections F through L. This included removing some of the piles, dredging, reinstating the piles, and then installing the new pontoons, while keeping most of the original configuration. The project was completed in phases during May and June, with F and G pontoons opening on May 10.In addition to the new pontoons, smart meters have been installed throughout the marina. These meters give customers control over their electricity accounts, enabling 24/7 online payments and providing automatic notifications of power interruptions.Five superyacht berths, accommodating boats from 25m to 50m, have also been upgraded with new concrete pontoons, decking, and smart meters supplying 3-phase electricity. Enhanced wave attenuation at the marina entrance has been introduced to create a calmer and more comfortable environment for users.Concrete pontoon sections were transported from Ireland to MDL’s Saxon Wharf and then towed to Ocean Village. The old pontoons and floats were removed for reuse or recycling, reflecting MDL Marinas' commitment to sustainability.“Our commitment to investing in our marinas is crucial to ensure we are always delivering the highest level of excellence that our berth holders, visitors, and tenants have come to expect,” says Lauren McCann, Manager of Ocean Village Marina. “We also want to thank all our berth holders and staff who have been incredibly patient and accommodating throughout the project. The team has done an amazing job managing logistics during the works, including hosting a successful South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show.”With the upgrades, Ocean Village Marina can now accommodate boats from 8m to 80m, offering a luxury marina experience year-round.To celebrate the completion of the new pontoons, Ocean Village hosted a Summer Celebration on its brand-new south side pontoons. The event featured live music, a free barbecue, and complimentary hospitality aboard a selection of boats. Attendees enjoyed boat demonstrations of the latest Fairline Yachts models and other new and used boats. Approved Boats offered a free annual berth at Ocean Village Marina for any Fairline purchased at the event, extending this offer until the end of July for those unable to attend.Ocean Village Marina, a 362-berth facility, is the UK's first and only 5-star marina. Located near the Solent, the marina features a £50 million spa hotel complex and is surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, and a cinema. Ocean Village Marina was voted ‘Marina of the Year’ at the British Yachting Awards in November for its exemplary customer service.Credits: MDL Marinas
June 28, 2024
Camper & Nicholsons has announced the sale of the 38.2-meter Emocean, with Thomas O’Nial representing the seller. Emocean, the first explorer yacht built by Rosetti Superyachts, has been a successful charter yacht since its launch in 2021.Emocean is a steel-hulled superyacht with a 5,000nm range, consuming 55 liters of fuel per hour at 9 knots. These specifications highlight its efficiency and long-range capabilities. Designed by Hydro Tec, Emocean features a modern exterior with angular glass sections and offers 350 square meters of deck space.In addition to joining the Camper & Nicholsons Yacht Management program, which includes Insurance and Corporate Services, Emocean will remain part of the Camper & Nicholsons charter fleet. Following a fully booked summer season, Emocean will be available for charter in the Caribbean this winter and the Mediterranean in summer 2025. Thomas O’Nial commented, "We are very pleased to see this fantastic vessel find a new home. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the owners of Emocean for their trust. Our sincere gratitude also goes out to captain Scott Pearce & his crew, manager Aleksandar Zivanovich, and all corresponding brokers for their support and commitment to seeing this sale through. We wish smooth seas ahead to her new owners."Rosetti, evolution of Rosetti Menotti, was established in 1925, and they're a global leader in both the engineering and construction of on-shore and off-shore plants, as well as a wide range of commercial ships ranging from ocean-going tugs and platform supply vessels to passenger ferries equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for propulsion, automation, navigational aids and control systems. Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
June 28, 2024
Silent Yachts is poised for significant growth, with plans to deliver 18 new yachts within the next 18 months. The company has already launched the first Silent 62 3-Deck in the spring of 2024 and aims to deliver seven more of the same model by the end of the year. The shipyard in Fano, Italy, is operating at full capacity, with a workforce of 180 dedicated to meeting these ambitious targets.First Silent 62 3-Deck launch. Photo by Alessandro GuerrieriBy the end of 2024, Silent Yachts will have delivered eight new Silent 62 3-Deck catamarans. The production schedule for 2025 includes eight more Silent 62 3-Decks and the first two Silent 80s. Despite the high demand, a few build slots remain available for 2025."This is a really exciting time for Silent Yachts," said CEO Fabrizio Iarrera. "The volume of orders and the interest shown at boat shows indicate that the Silent 62 has captured the imagination of sustainability-minded boaters. We are proud to offer three striking variants of this model: a retractable flybridge, an open three-decker, and a spacious true three-decker."The Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2024 will be a major showcase for Silent Yachts, featuring the world debuts of the Silent 62 3-Deck Open and the Silent 62 3-Deck Closed. These models are expected to attract significant attention, especially the fully glazed upper deck of the Closed variant, which provides a luxurious addition to the interior space.Work on the Silent 80 model continues, with its debut planned for the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2025. Silent Yachts plans to deliver two 80-footers by the end of 2025 and is also developing a new model to fit between the 62 and 80 in their range, scheduled for a 2026 debut.First Silent 62 3-Deck launch. Photo by Alessandro GuerrieriTo support this growth, Silent Yachts plans to expand its workforce to 220 employees by the end of 2024 and to 270 by mid-2025, ensuring they can meet the increasing demand for their innovative, solar-powered yachts.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
June 27, 2024
The Nautor Group CEO, Giovanni Pomati, has announced the appointment of Marco Viti as the new Strategic Advisor for Nautor Swan's Power Yacht Division.Viti brings over 30 years of experience from Sanlorenzo, where he held multiple senior positions, culminating as President of the Yacht Division and a member of the company's board.In his new role, Viti will collaborate closely with Nautor Swan's President and CEO to refine and enhance the Division's strategy. He will oversee the Power Yacht Division team, guiding efforts from product development to production organization, as well as sales and marketing.“We are very happy to welcome Marco, a manager with great experience in the marine industry across all segments,” said Pomati. “His background and passion for yachting will allow us to accelerate the development of our Power Division.”Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
June 27, 2024