Every year, the Monaco Yacht Club organises the Economic Symposium ‘La Belle Classe Superyachts’, a meeting that brings together the main players in international yachting. This event, part of the ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative, aims to analyse the major dynamics of the industry.

For its seventeenth edition, the discussions focused on the impact of geopolitical and economic tensions on the yachting market. The speakers emphasised the challenges posed by market volatility, the reconfiguration of shipping routes and changing purchasing behaviour. In the face of these changes, the industry must combine anticipation and adaptation. Bernard d'Alessandri, Secretary General of the YCM, emphasises that international yachting is facing a period of uncertainty requiring constant responsiveness and highlights the role of the Yacht Club de Monaco in supporting this transformation by promoting an innovative and sustainable yachting model.

International events have profoundly changed maritime flows and the commercial dynamics of yachting. According to Ralph Dazert, head of business intelligence at Superyacht Times, the invasion of Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have had a direct impact on the sector's routes and investments.

Securing sea lanes is a strategic issue, particularly for yachts in transit to Asia and the Middle East. The Cape of Good Hope route, although longer, saw its superyacht traffic increase from five to twenty-three units between 2022 and 2024, while passages through the Gulf of Aden fell from forty-one to seven.

These upheavals are also influencing purchasing behaviour. While Russian customers are becoming more discreet, American and Asian buyers, particularly Indians, have taken over. In 2024, orders for superyachts over eighty metres long regained their dynamism, driven by a new generation of buyers. Captain Christos Metallinos of the M/Y Emir emphasises that the increase in insurance premiums is a considerable obstacle to navigation in certain sensitive areas, but that while some routes are closing, other opportunities are emerging elsewhere.

Private aviation, like yachting, must adapt to an unstable international environment. According to Olivier Zuber, Director of Sales for Western Europe at Bombardier, the 25% tax on jets imported into the United States represents a challenge for the sector. This measure could redirect purchasing decisions and accelerate adaptation strategies.

Insurance companies, meanwhile, are closely monitoring developments in the geopolitical context. Vincent Huens De Brouwer, Managing Partner at Covership, points out that some owners have given up on crossing the Suez Canal due to the increased risks in the region.

The evolution of American economic policy is a determining factor. The possibility of a second Donald Trump term in office is fuelling questions about the intensification of protectionism and trade tensions between the United States, China and Europe. Paul Tourret, Director of the Institut Supérieur d'Économie Maritime, emphasises that the US economy plays a key role in the balance of the yachting market and that a hardening of trade relations could redefine international trade and impact the industry.

At the same time, regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia are strengthening their presence in the maritime industry. As part of its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the hosting of large vessels and the development of new nautical infrastructure.

A resilient sector driven by the growth of global wealth

Despite an uncertain context, the global economy remains resilient, with GDP growing moderately until 2025. Slowbalisation, a phenomenon characterising a more regional globalisation, is also shaping the yachting market. Ernesto De Marzio, Managing Director – Head of Front UBS Monaco, observes that economic uncertainty has become a constant but that global wealth continues to increase, directly influencing the demand for superyachts.

In 2024, sales of new yachts over thirty metres in length reached one hundred and ninety-two units, demonstrating a stable market despite the turbulence. The mega-yacht segment, in particular, is benefiting from growing interest, driven by increased demands for energy performance and technological innovation.

Emerging destinations such as Singapore and the Arabian Gulf are investing heavily in nautical tourism, making them more attractive to large vessels. In Europe, which accounts for thirty per cent of the world's superyacht fleet, energy transition and innovation remain strategic priorities, supported by a weak euro that favours exports.

A change in banking and financial practices

Financial institutions are now adjusting their assessment criteria for yacht financing. In addition to the solvency of buyers, environmental considerations are playing an increasingly important role in investment decisions. Tools such as the SEA Index, which measures the energy efficiency of superyachts, are increasingly integrated into banking and insurance processes. Ernesto De Marzio emphasises that banks are gradually integrating sustainability criteria into their financing decisions and that the environmental impact of yachts is becoming a central element in project analysis.

A stronger commitment to sustainable yachting

The Yacht Club de Monaco continues to work towards more responsible yachting. With this in mind, the SEA Index distinctions were awarded to M/Y ASLEC 4 and M/Y Galena, in recognition of their environmental performance.

In line with this dynamic, on 6 March 2025 the YCM will organise the fourteenth edition of the Environmental Symposium, an event dedicated to sustainable solutions and technological innovations enabling yachting to anticipate climate challenges.

Yachting is evolving in a context marked by an unstable economic situation and growing geopolitical tensions. However, the sector is demonstrating a constant capacity to adapt, driven by sustained demand and strategic investments in innovation and sustainability. Far from being a static market, international yachting is undergoing a structural transformation aimed at reconciling performance, safety and environmental responsibility, thus guaranteeing its long-term sustainability.