- Events and Regattas
Informa Prestige Anchors a Dedicated Superyacht Refit Platform in Monaco
The Commercial Reality of Maintenance
Owning a superyacht involves a rigid cycle of continuous financial investment. Industry data indicates that owners commit around 10 per cent of their vessel’s value annually to operations and upkeep, with major capital overhauls occurring every five to ten years. Driven by a global fleet of more than 6,000 active superyachts over 30 metres, the refit and maintenance sector currently generates between $3 billion and $5 billion per year. Growing at an annual rate of 6 to 9 per cent, these operations account for roughly 36 per cent of total earnings across the sector.
A Dedicated Platform in Monaco
Despite its massive financial footprint, the maintenance sector has traditionally operated on the margins of broader marine exhibitions. To correct this imbalance, Informa Prestige is establishing The Future of Refit. Scheduled for March 31 to April 2, 2027, the event will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The exhibition includes an on-water display hosted in the marina of the Yacht Club de Monaco, reinforcing the principality’s position as a central hub for advanced maritime operations.
Capitalizing on the Order Book Bottleneck
The rapid expansion of the rebuild market is a direct response to current industrial constraints. Shipyards are managing full order books, significantly limiting new-build availability for prospective buyers. Consequently, buyers are purchasing existing hulls and commissioning extensive overhauls to avoid lengthy construction queues. Furthermore, tightening environmental regulations and the increasing technical complexity of modern vessels are forcing current owners to update their platforms, solidifying refit work as an essential and recurring component of the ownership cycle.
Curating the Professional Ecosystem
Providing a space for structural planning requires a highly curated schedule. The three-day event will feature an interactive conference program integrated with a professional exhibition. A primary focal point is Refit Live, an interactive forum designed to connect owners, designers, and shipyard executives. This segment features keynote speeches, roundtables, and case studies, with daily sessions guided by the editorial team of BOAT International. The objective is to place the creative and technical disciplines of vessel modernization firmly in the spotlight.
Establishing a Spring Tradition
Timing dictates the commercial viability of any major exhibition. By scheduling The Future of Refit for the spring, Informa Prestige is capturing the industry at a critical transition point. The event takes place just as the Mediterranean season is preparing to open, capitalizing on a relatively uncontested moment in the professional calendar. Through close collaboration with shipyards and equipment suppliers, the organizers intend to build a sustainable commercial platform that directly serves the long-term interests of the maintenance community.
