Recently, many world’s marinas have gone through deep restructuring to strengthen their offering and compete for superyachts' attention. At the core of this pivotal moment for yachting infrastructure, however, stood Porto Montenegro, one of the first purpose-built superyacht hubs. During the MYS 2019, the plans for further development of one of the 10 most stunning European superyacht marinas got revealed.
The project of Porto Montenegro dates back to 2007, when Peter Munk, a Hungarian-born Canadian businessman purchased a site in Montenegro for €23 million, with the purpose of building a superyacht marina that would rival mainstream destinations. With backing from LVMH Chairman, Bernard Arnault, Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska and Lord Jacob Rothschild, the Barrick Gold founder set out to develop the largest private-sector investment in the country.
Located near the coastal city of Tivat, Porto Montenegro's ambition was to become a homeport for some of the world's largest yachts by providing their crew and visiting owners with high end facilities. The development also included the construction of a strong ecosystem around the marina with condos, restaurants and a five star hotel.
Over its several years of development, Porto Montenegro caught the eye of new investors and in May 2016 it was confirmed that the development was acquired the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the city-state's investment arm.
Currently, Porto Montenegro has 450 berths for yachts from 12 to 250 meters in length (with a capacity to expand to 850 berths), 300 sold-out luxury apartments, as well as 60 units of ground floor retail with restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and amenities and a five-star Regent Hotel with over 130 luxury suites and apartments.
During a private event at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019, Porto Montenegro announced it was going to invest over €500 million in further development and new projects on site over the next 10 years.
Danilo Kalezic, Senior PR and Marketing Manager at Porto Montenegro, stated:
We are currently only building on 30 percent of a vast 24 hectares that once belonged to the Arsenal, a former Yugoslav naval base. To date, we have invested €500 million and I believe that in the next 10 years, we’ll invest additional €500 million to develop half of the remaining land. This is difficult to predict because the site study is still being adopted but we’re on the right track.
He also emphasised, that the Porto Montenegro village has been transforming from a summer destination to a year-round regional lifestyle-centre and multi-faceted business hub.
What is more, in 2019 the Regent Pool Club Residences, consisting of apartments and penthouse suites, positioned adjacent to the five-star Regent Porto Montenegro hotel, was completed. The space contemporary design with elements of Venetian and Italian aesthetics, by London’s WATG Architects and MHZ Paris.
In addition, the managers reported the summer season 2019 to be one of the most successful ever for Porto Montenegro. The village hosted such top-level events as the first RC44 regatta, the Gigayacht Captains Forum, the Sunreef Yachts rendezvous and Gumball3000 supercar rally, along with music, fashion and wine festivals.
Danilo Kalezic expressed on the high number of yachts and residential clients:
All berths for yachts under 30 metres were fully occupied this summer and overall occupancy was 11.5% higher compared to 2018. In the winter season, we recorded a 10.5% increase compared to last year.
Alongside continued upgrades to Porto Montenegro Yacht Club, the village also embraces new business dimensions, offering co-working spaces and new office hubs. In 2019, Porto Montenegro also welcomed its first family office for new business residents, with Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau, and Sunreef Yachts among them.
Meanwhile, Damen, the Dutch group behind Amels, has entered into a contract with Adriatic Marinas and the government of Montenegro to develop a superyacht repair and refit facility in a former shipyard in Bijela, Boka Bay. It is expected to become fully operational in 2021.
The Italian Sea Group concluded the first edition of its Vision Brokers Day event with significant success, attracting sixty of the world's most influential yachting brokers from various regions.Held over two days at the company's headquarters in Marina di Carrara, the exclusive event provided participants with a deep dive into The Italian Sea Group's productive reality, showcasing its distinct product range, commercial strategies, and core competencies. The workshop highlighted the pivotal role of the Research & Development office, emphasizing innovation and customization as cornerstones of the organization's vision.Moreover, the event spotlighted The Italian Sea Group's unprecedented industrial challenge, managing simultaneous construction of mega and gigayachts, possibly unprecedented in the history of yachting. To manage this complexity efficiently, the company implemented an innovative Industrial Process & Planning approach, leveraging advanced methodologies and software from high-engineering sectors like automotive. This approach orchestrates the entire production cycle structurally and synchronously, optimizing each phase of construction.Participants had the rare opportunity to tour the shipyard, including departments for 3D design, carpentry, and furnishing, a unique feature in Italy. This integration of design and production reduces errors and optimizes the customization process.Visits to internal business units, such as the Steel Mill and Upholstery Department, highlighted the Group's capability to perform a significant portion of its fabrication internally rather than relying heavily on external suppliers. This model ensures direct quality control and continuous improvement in cost and process management.Combining internal fabrication with exclusive use of 3D design empowers The Italian Sea Group to preserve and enhance its extraordinary know-how."Gianmaria Costantino, Chief Commercial Officer of The Italian Sea Group, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of this first Vision Brokers Day event," stating, "This initiative strengthened our relationships with international brokers, creating new partnership opportunities and reinforcing our global presence. The high attendance and interest shown by participants confirm the value of our vision and capabilities."Through this event, The Italian Sea Group reaffirmed its commitment to continual evolution, refining processes, skills, and solutions to meet the highest industry expectations and solidify its leadership in the international luxury yachting market.Credits: The Italian Sea Group
March 11, 2025
The third 27.4-meter motor yacht from the Arksen 85 explorer series has been listed for sale by Sam Tucker of Moravia Yachting, with delivery expected in 2026. The vessel will be available for purchase 18 months after signing the contract.Building on the success of the first two yachts in the series, Mamaluna (delivered in 2023) and the second Arksen 85 (scheduled for delivery this year), the third hull is being constructed in aluminium to a design by Humphreys Yacht Design, with interiors by Design Unlimited. Production is taking place at the UK-based Wight Shipyard, owned by Ocea.The Arksen 85 accommodates up to eight guests in four cabins or six guests in three cabins, including a full-beam master suite. All cabins are located on the lower deck, with the option for additional berths. The yacht can operate with minimal crew, with quarters available for two or four crew depending on requirements.Functionality and sustainability are central to the Arksen 85's design, reflected in its versatile interiors and carefully selected materials. Worktops in the galley are made from recycled plastics, and upholstery uses waste fashion fibers or recovered ocean plastics. However, the interior design is highly customizable to meet client preferences.On the main deck, the Arksen 85 features an open-plan lounge and galley with direct deck access, a lobby, and a dayhead, with stairs leading to the bridge deck. Here, guests will find a second saloon and a study area. Outside, the yacht offers an al fresco dining setup, an aft deck lounge, and additional bench seating forward of the bridge. The Arksen 85 is highly customizable, with options for accessories such as cranes, stabilization booms, and storage for a large tender and water toys.The yacht's aft deck is reinforced to handle weights of up to 4,000 kg, making it suitable for vehicles or submersibles. Brokers emphasize that each Arksen vessel is designed for global exploration, offering confidence, comfort, independence, and efficiency characteristic of modern long-range cruising yachts. The Arksen 85 can reach top speeds of 14 knots and cruising speeds of 12 knots, with an exploratory range of 7,000 nautical miles.Credit: Arksen
March 11, 2025
Damen Yachting has successfully launched the third vessel in its acclaimed Yacht Support 53 series at its state-of-the-art facility in Antalya. This significant achievement marks a new chapter in the company’s history of delivering high-performance support yachts, combining Dutch engineering excellence with innovative design.The newly launched YS5303 is set for delivery in summer 2025 following its final build stage, outfitting, and sea trials. Joining the series are two previous successful models: Bad Сompany Support 175, designed for deep-sea fishing and scientific missions, and Five Oceans, built for exploration and conservation efforts.Pim Oostra, Project Manager for YS 5303, emphasized the milestone: “Today’s launch signifies the maturation of our Yacht Support design into a full-fledged series. We are excited to progress through the final build stages towards completion this summer.”The Yacht Support range represents the pinnacle of offshore support vessels, renowned for their reliability, sailing characteristics, and unparalleled functionality. With over 20 purpose-built support yachts delivered, Damen Yachting continues to set industry standards.Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting
March 11, 2025
Ocean Independence introduced the 41.8-meter Vikingfjord, the most environmentally sustainable explorer ship in the polar regions, available for charter. Formerly a Norwegian maritime vessel, VIKINGFJORD has been transformed into a luxurious exploration ship specifically designed for polar expeditions, minimizing its ecological footprint through features such as an ice-strengthened hull and a biodiesel-capable engine.The vessel accommodates up to 12 guests in seven cabins, including five doubles that can be converted to twins and two singles, all thoughtfully appointed with ensuite bathrooms and large windows to maximize natural light and create a spacious, inviting atmosphere. Designed with Scandinavian inspiration, the interiors reflect a sense of openness and tranquility, updated in 2023.A highlight of the Vikingfjord is its dedicated observation lounge, offering panoramic views of the polar landscape and serving as an educational hub for guests. Expert-led presentations provide insights into the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the region, enriching the overall experience. Post-exploration, guests can relax in the hot tub under the midnight sun, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic.Vikingfjord allows guests to actively engage with the Arctic ecosystem, offering prime opportunities to observe wildlife such as whales, orcas, and polar bears. Equipped with two zodiacs, the ship enhances accessibility to remote areas, enabling thrilling explorations guided by experienced expedition leaders. Charter guests can also customize their itineraries according to their interests, discovering the untamed beauty of destinations like Svalbard and Greenland.With its sustainable design and commitment to preserving the pristine polar environment, Vikingfjord invites travelers to embrace a luxurious yet minimal-impact adventure in the Arctic.Credits: Ocean Independence
March 10, 2025
Turkish yard Alia Yachts has announced the sale of a custom-built 65-meter superyacht, currently under construction at its Antalya site. Provisionally designated as hull ALY651, the steel and aluminum project is destined to become the company's flagship upon delivery.The project marks a continuation of Alia Yachts' collaboration with Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, known for their work on the 45-meter San. For naval architecture, the project relies on Netherlands-based Diana Yacht Design, which promises to incorporate the capacities and amenities typical of an 80-meter yacht, including five cabins – featuring an owner's suite with a private lounge – and a hydraulic swimming pool that can be raised to create a large, open entertainment area on the main deck aft.Additional amenities include a hot tub on the sundeck and another, larger one on the foredeck reserved for the owner's exclusive use.Gökhan Çelik, President of Alia Yachts, expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the shared passion for yachting and the expertise gained over decades. He expects the project to showcase the company's ability to integrate innovative design and modern technology with high-quality materials and finishing.Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 m2, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.Credits: Alia Yachts
March 10, 2025