Monaco Yacht Show 2025: A Round Up Of Next-Gen Debuts & Fresh Ideas

By Rebecca Whitlocke

Every year, the Monaco Yacht Show sets the standard for the future of the superyacht industry and signals a shift in our perceptions of boatbuilding, design, luxury toys, technology, news, and nautical supplies.

From the beginning, it seemed that the 34th edition this year was more about continuity than it was about the greatest premieres. With daily live updates, press conferences, and exhibition areas teeming with fresh ideas, yacht debuts, and new goods and services, the dockside atmosphere at Port Hercule was electric.

The 2025 yacht lineup, with its fleet over 30 metres valued at over €4.3 billion+ (source: Monaco Yacht Show Market Report by Superyacht Times) generated a lot of press coverage.  After 118.8-metre Breakthrough sold and withdrew, the 107-metre Benetti MAR (formerly Lana) was the largest attending yacht. Breakthrough was at anchor, but my anticipation of seeing a superyacht up close with these technical accolades faded.

Oceanco’s 111-metre Leviathan, Bilgin’s 80-metre Al Reem, and Tankoa’s 55-metre Rose, which was swapped out for Loewe, were also absent from the exhibiting yachts roster. Despite the withdrawals, MYS had an abundance of superyachts to visit, such as Benetti’s 67-metre Lady Estey, the 53-metre Emotional and 60-metre After You from Damen Yachting, and the 79.5-metre Valor built by Feadship.

The years of MYS headlining the world’s biggest superyachts seem to be dwindling, with delicate dialogues hurling accurate figures at import tax policies and the state of the US and European markets. Yachts in the 40–60-metre range with lifestyle-driven layouts and the capacity to cruise quickly and far were undoubtedly the subject of much attention.

Data and broker conversations indicate that sales in the 50–60 metre range are stable. The 55-metre Heesen-built Agnetha sold in a deal with Ian Harris of Phoenix Yacht Management introducing the buyer, and the 53-metre superyacht Project NB97 by Bilgin Yachts sold, reflecting what was being bought and discussed during the show.  Heesen had eight yachts in Port Hercule, however Agnetha was berthed in Cap d’Ail, proving that deals were also still being done off-site.

Monaco Yacht Show Round Up

The Blue Wake™ sustainability initiative is an evolution of the previous Sustainability Hub, and during the Grand Opening Night, 400 guests gathered at Le Méridien Beach Plaza for the Blue Wake™ Awards.  Owners, yards, and industry experts were able to acknowledge and applaud practical solutions rather than just audacious concepts. From a pool of 59 exhibitors, the four winners and one yacht were:

• Tykun who received recognition for their H1 hydrogen propulsion system, which was created for water toys and tenders.
• Sanlorenzo who received recognition for partnering with Siemens Energy to launch the first superyacht using Reformer Fuel Cell installations.
• Deasyl for their Sustainable Yachting Fuel, a next-generation alternative to traditional marine fuels.
• The Biophilic Program, a line of carpets created from undyed, biodegradable fibres like flax, jute, silk and wool, that earned Tai Ping an accolade.
• The catamaran Reduce from Silver Yachts that received the Special Jury Award for its low-impact design.

During the week, numerous press announcements were made by Dutch companies that are renowned for their excellent craftsmanship and distinctive custom builds. Oceanco revealed the signing of its largest yacht to date, a new 130-metre superyacht to be built under Lloyd’s Register classification; ICON Yachts unveiled an explorer yacht concept, the 50.5-metre MISSION-M with exterior design by Weel Sluijter and interiors by Carla Guilheim Design; and design studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design shared the first renderings for a 141-metre superyacht concept called Aura.

The 51-metre Spitfire, in-build with Ares Yachts and designed by Bannenberg & Rowell with naval architecture by Lateral Naval Architects, garnered lots of media attention. I quite enjoyed hearing that Bannenberg & Rowell have used military vocabulary in place of traditional yacht terminology to describe Spitfire’s interior, including the Bunker Lounge and guest quarters that have been reimagined as “Buddy Quarters.”

Finnish yard Nautor Swan showcased some of the first renders I saw, for their Swan Alloy 44, alongside the Swan 128’s world premiere. The Swan Alloy 44, which has a lightweight yet robust alloy hull and was designed by Malcolm McKeon, will be the brand’s first aluminium supermaxi.

British design studio Winch Design and Milan-based design studio Frers Design teased us with a new 35-metre sailing concept known as Flowform. The yacht is said to be inspired by the “rhythm of nature”, and was presented as an immersive visual experience in the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub.

Princess Yachts unveiled its flagship Y Class model, the 29-metre Y95, created in collaboration with Italian design firm Pininfarina and long-standing naval architects Olesinski. This yacht is among the first to have six guest cabins while staying under the 24-meter load line threshold, which is a significant milestone that permits up to 14 guest berths in this size category.

Yacht toys grabbed centre stage as FunAir unveiled two new products that enhance beachside and onboard lounging with their modular designs: the Club Chaise Island and the Inflatable Corner Sofa. Through FunAir’s partnership with Off the Deck, golf enthusiasts could tee off with a setup that featured the upgraded SeaDriveCX simulator and Golf Net directly in front of the Monaco Yacht Club.

Networking & Social Gatherings at MYS

Bond Technology Management and Superyacht Technology Show teamed up to host a networking breakfast in support of ISWAN at Bond’s office overlooking the port, bringing together leading suppliers and key professionals from technical advisory, build and owners representative roles.  Adam Cornelius, Founder of Guest Trip, an AI-powered yacht charter itinerary platform said, “  Monaco Yacht Show is an epicentre for strategic discussions with charter brokers, management and crew, as well as connecting with industry colleagues. It’s important for Guest Trip to be here to explore opportunities and offer practical insights for improving charter itinerary management.”

The week was filled with social events, including a pre-MYS “Protecting Earth’s Final Frontiers” event hosted by ICON Connect and The International Seakeepers Society, where Onshore Cellars provided an abundance of Après Provence rosé. Additionally, Seakeepers hosted a separate VIP event at the stunning Villa Monaco in Cap d’Ail. After the opening celebration, which was organised by Arrow Monaco and Oceanco, Edmiston hosted a Captain’s dinner. Lürssen’s yacht club soirée with Niall Rogers was the sought-after party to see and be seen, the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority’s eagerly awaited rum party kept the positive vibes flowing, and Marcela de Kern organised the annual Women in Yachting lunch, which drew industry professionals eager to network and collaborate.

Throughout the week, discussions regarding rest, education, training, and socialising for yacht crew were not overlooked.  Döhle Yachts partnered with UKSA for a UKSA alumni event on the Döhle Yachts Terrace at the Hotel Miramar, Yacht Pearls of Wisdom and their contributors, including Hill Robinson, Superyacht Fitness, and Yachting International Radio, distributed Crew Wellness bags to keep crew informed and supported regarding mental or financial health, and the “Beers for Engineers” party was held on Thursday evening at The Lounge HQ, hosted by John Percival Marine Associates (JPMA) and Wilsonhalligan Recruitment and sponsored by Cornerstone Crew Management, Bond Support Services, and Pendennis Shipyard.  “JPMA does a lot of training for engineers and the aim of the event was born last year with Wilsonhalligan to give engineers a chance for relaxed networking with like-minded professionals and service providers. The second edition was a great success and we’re thankful for the support from all the sponsors,” said Anna Percival-Harris, Managing Director & Principal at JPMA.

Destination Focus at MYS

Charter destinations were in the spotlight. Spanish marina representatives were on the quays, Australian and South Pacific businesses were well-represented as usual, and the Saudi Red Sea Authority and the Bahamas islands received questions regarding recent modifications to boating laws.  At the South Pacific Stand, Superyacht Australia teamed up with Maritime Cook Islands, Melanesian Luxury Yachts, and their members, which included The Superyacht People, 3Beaches Textiles, and Torrens Luxury Collection.  David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia, spoke about the launch of the 2026 Sydney Charter Show, that will highlight charter opportunities across Australia and the South Pacific.  International visitors will find it appealing since the show dates coincide with other significant Australian events like SailGP Sydney and the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix.

One of the most talked-about partnerships came not from a vessel debut, but from a plan that will likely mean new international projects for crew and contractors. Feadship and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) inked a memorandum of agreement for Feadship to contribute in an advisory capacity toward plans to develop Marsa Port at Umm Alhoul Free Zone. This partnership demonstrates that the yachting industry is more international than ever before and underlines a comprehensive approach that extends Feadship’s build, design, and refit experience to the Gulf states.

Why Monaco Yacht Show Still Leads

MYS is the beating heart of our industry thanks to a combination of deals unfolding at the show’s perimeter, ambitious concepts, and new builds that are pushing boundaries with onboard technology and advanced materials.  There were clear signals that we are on the verge of a significant change in the way yachts are constructed, powered, managed, or impact the sea, from Feadship’s Gulf push to time-saving innovations such as Guest Trip’s charter system to the solutions offered by Blue Wake™ companies.

As I left Monaco this year, the lesson for industry, owners, and yards is that the show is now a platform for what comes next, rather than merely a showcase for the biggest and boldest premieres. The yachts and exhibitors at Port Hercule are proof of where we are – new ideas, expanded hubs and forward-thinking products and services certain to shape the next generation of yachting.

Credits:  General image – Antibes Yachting / Valor – Feadship / Mission M – ICON Yachts / Flowform – Winch Design/Frers / Bond TM breakfast & Beers for Engineers – Bond TM, JPMA   

Rebecca Whitlocke is a regular writer for Relentless Magazine covering yachting news and luxury events.