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 115.1-meter Ahpo (previously known as project Enzo) on 24 November 2021 left the Lürssen shipyard and embarked on her maiden voyage. The megayacht was launched by Lürssen in June. In September this bespoke yacht started her sea trials. She has been built for a repeat client who previously owned 86m Lürssen and required top-notch design and engineering as well as seagoing comfort for his family. For the exterior and interior design, he once again chose design office Nuvolari Lenard. Moran Yacht & Ship managed and supervised the project, bringing with them their wide spectrum of experience and consolidated knowledge.“The owner’s brief was demanding. However, we believe our engineering expertise has surpassed his wishes to own a yacht that many years from now will be timeless and yet still ahead of its time. Our thanks, of course, go to the good design and communications with the Designers Nuvolari Lenard and to Moran Yacht & Ship, who oversaw the build on behalf of the owner, as well as the Lürssen project team,” says Peter Lürssen.Ahpo is equipped with state-of-the art technology and engineering systems. For instance, a heat recovery system in the generators heats the water for the pool, leading to reduced electrical power and emissions, while dynamic positioning enables electronic anchoring in sensitive and remote areas, protecting the seabed and allowing for safe mooring regardless of water depth.Lürssen is a German shipyard with headquarters in Bremen-Vegesack and shipbuilding facilities in Lemwerder, Berne and Bremen-Aumund. Founded in 1875, Lürssen is one of the world's leading builders of custom luxury superyachts and has launched many of the largest yachts in the global fleet.Credits: Lürssen
November 26, 2021
Camper and Nicholsons has announced the sale of the 22.5m Heysea Power Catamaran. The custom-built Catamaran will be built by Heysea Yachts in Asia with significant modifications requested by the owner, who wants a yacht with which he and his family can spend long holidays together in total privacy, safety, and comfort. She will be shipped to the Mediterranean, where she will be private-use before relocating to Australia.Her interiors and exterior will also be designed by VYD Designs. The exterior has been customised by the owner, who required the engineering department to redesign an extended superstructure, allowing for the integration of an additional separated bow-saloon, while keeping a bow-cockpit alfresco area, accessible from inside and outside.The catamaran will be able to accommodate eight guests across one master suite, one VIP and two guest suites, all fully en suite. The master will have a walk-in wardrobe, a private saloon and owner's office in elegant, earthy neutral tones. The exterior made by VYD Designs and have also been customised by the owner, who required the engineering department to redesign an extended superstructure, allowing for the integration of an additional separated bow-saloon, while keeping a bow-cockpit alfresco area, accessible from inside and outside.The flybridge has an impressive surface area for a yacht of her size. With 78 sq. m, she contains a convertible alfresco saloon-dining area, five sun beds, a wet bar with BBQ, fridges, icemaker, and an impressive hot tub with an integrated bar.The owner also required modifications to the initial engine specifications: from two CAT 1000Hp with a max cruising speed of 22 knots to two Volvo 725Hp, with a quieter cruising ambiance and greater range. Two bow thrusters allow for surgical manoeuvres thanks to wireless control via DockMate joystick. Finally, solar panels on the hard top means batteries will be able to operate for up to eight hours. She is planned to be delivered in April 2023. Heysea was founded by a group of experienced naval architects and engineers in 2007. Located in China’s Pearl River Delta near Hong Kong, Heysea’s shipyard allows for the simultaneous construction of more than ten yachts and a maximum length exceeding 142ft. The company climbed nine places since 2015 and ranked 16th in the 2018 Global Order Book published by Boat International, being the only PRC based yacht builder to be named as top 20 in the list.Сredits: Camper and Nicholsons
November 26, 2021
At the 2021 edition of the Boat Builder Awards Sunreef Yachts Eco range of sustainable catamarans was rewarded as the industry's best Environmental Initiative. The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, jointly run by IBI and Metstrade, recognises the significant contributions of individuals, teams and supply chain partners within boat building companies globally. The prestigious awards ceremony took place on 17 November in Amsterdam during the Metstrade trade fair.The German Design Awards judged the Sunreef Yachts patented solar panel system as the best eco-design in the Excellent Product Design category. The German Design Awards are awarded to companies that contribute to a better future with their innovative spirit. An expert jury awards design innovations across a variety of industries around the world.With awards such as the World Yachts Trophy, the UIM Environmental Award and the Gustave Trouvé Award, Sunreef Yachts Eco can safely be called an innovative series of eco-friendly catamarans. With a comprehensive approach to eco-yachting, Sunreef Yachts Eco offers advanced electric motors, environmentally friendly natural finishes, smart energy management and the latest technology, including a patented in-house solar panel system.Sunreef Yachts was founded by Francis Lapp in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland, and the shipyard has been designing and manufacturing luxury sailing and power multihulls ever since.Credits: Sunreef Yachts
November 26, 2021
Ferretti Yachts presents Ferretti Yachts 860. The flybridge yacht created by the Cattolica-based shipyard is the result of collaboration between the Product Strategy Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, Ferretti Yachts 860 is the third yacht developed by architect Filippo Salvetti (exterior design) and Ideaitalia (interiors). She has an eye-catching design that stands out for comfort, a strong focus on well-being, outstanding performance, optimisation of space, and multiple opportunities to customise the settings, all with the elegance of Made in Italy style.The yacht’s exteriors feature a number of innovations, including the introduction of floor-to-ceiling windows and glass fashion plates, which punctuate the sleek, powerful silhouette and characterise her contours; the windows in the hull and superstructure that share the same family feeling as the brand’s latest models.The interior design stand-out features are the helical staircase on the main deck, which leads down to the lower deck and around which the entire layout develops, the freestanding furniture, and the clean geometrical curves inspired by Art Deco, creating a perfect synthesis of sophisticated yet understated design. It features the “Just Like Home” concept: comfort, Italianness, timeless design and craftsmanship. Ferretti Yachts 860 will be available in Classic and Contemporary moods: the first featuring darker, warmer colours and striking contrasts, the second with paler, cooler colours, characterised by tone-on-tone shades through to total white.The layout of the lower deck provides four cabins: the master cabin midships, the VIP cabin forward, and two doubles: one with a double bed, one with twin beds, and both with ensuite bathrooms.Ferretti Yachts 860 offers maximum continuity between indoor and outdoor settings. The cockpit is a spacious area with a glass parapet at the stern, furnished with two facing sofas and a large central table. The beach area can be entered from either side of the yacht and provides access to the garage, which can contain two water toys, a 3.95 m tender and a two-seater jet ski, representing a valuable plus point in this segment of the market.The flybridge might be configuring the freestanding furniture alongside a big multi-function bar unit, the dinette area seating eight, and an optional hot-tub on the aft deck. Absolute comfort is guaranteed by a hard top available in three different configurations: fixed glass, opening glass, or with shading blades.The foredeck features a space that can be converted from a dining area into a spacious sun pad. Ferretti Yachts 860 will be equipped with twin MAN V12 engines rated 2,000 mph, giving her a cruising speed of 27 knots and a top speed of 32 knots (preliminary data). Also available is a version with two MAN V12 engines rated 1,800 mhp, for a cruising speed of 24 knots and a top speed of 28 knots (preliminary data). The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
November 25, 2021
Silent-Yachts will be the first boat builder to date to design and build boats for the use of a kite sail system. The new Silent 60 solar powered catamaran carries 42 solar panels for 17 kWp of solar energy to power two electric motors of up to 2x340kw. Backed up by a battery capacity of up to 286 kWh, the yacht can cruise efficiently with zero emissions solely on solar power for up to 100 nautical miles a day for weeks. To further improve its green credentials and range, for longer crossings the first Silent 60 is also fitted with a compact 9 or 13 sq. m kite wing. The kite wing is optionally available on all Silent models.After inflating the kite, it is released overboard to drift away on the surface of the water. Pulling on the lines it launches into the air and once it reaches the optimal flight height, it begins to trace a figure “8” in the sky and generates power to pull the yacht.If you want to stop kiting, the automated app controls move the kite to a position right above the boat where it has the least pull on the line. From here it can be winched down electrically and collapsed over the foredeck ready for stowage.“The main advantages of a kite over a conventional sail system are that it does not throw shade on the solar panels, does not need a tall mast, and generates up to 10 times more power per square metre than a traditional sail. In addition to that it saves about 1,5 tons of weight compared to conventional rigg and costs much less,” says Michael Köhler, Silent-Yachts founder and CEO.The first Silent 60 has four guest cabins on the lower deck, including a spacious master suite, but other layout solutions are available. There are numerous social areas on board, including an airy main salon, an aft cockpit, a cosy bow area and a flybridge. The yacht also has high headroom throughout (up to 2.32m in the main salon).Thanks to a draft of under 1m the yacht can access shallow bays, a crucial consideration for cruising grounds in the Caribbean and South East Asia. Two swimming platforms in the stern can be extended on owner’s request to carry a pair of electric jet skis. The lifting hydraulic platform between the two platforms can carry a 4 m tender.The Silent 60 is designed to go everywhere as a true bluewater cruising yacht. The solar-electric system is configured to power all the on-board systems without the need of fossil fuels for a generator. Featuring a new, high-performance hull form with a longer waterline and reverse bow, the yacht has a cruising speed of 6-8 knots, but can reach 20 knots if needed.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
November 25, 2021