Yachting news from Interparus (30.08.22)

Antigua raids Alfa Nero

Antigua and Barbuda security officials conducted a weekend raid on the Alfa Nero superyacht. Another superyacht of the Russian oligarch has been anchored in the harbor of Falmouth, Antigua since the beginning of the year. This is reported by local Caribbean media. The yacht and its owner Andrei Guevara are on the US, UK and European Union sanctions list.

In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Chat Greene said the operation was led by officials from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and supported by an inter-agency task force comprising police, defense forces and customs.

By the way, back in March, almost immediately after Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, the government of Antigua and Barbuda advised all local companies not to do business with any persons, companies or other organizations that appear on the sanctions lists.

Of course, Alfa Nero was not provided with any fuel other than an emergency supply. Based on this, the yacht was not allowed to leave the country. According to Greene, on August 12, "pursuant to a request under our Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the US government requested assistance from the government of Antigua and Barbuda to search the vessel and interview its crew."

Earlier this week, after the Attorney General and the Director of the Attorney's Office completed their review of the MLAT request and after further consultations with US authorities, Attorney Anthony Armstrong filed an application with the Antigua and Barbuda High Court, which then issued an order to board the Alfa Nero, search and seizure of relevant materials and interrogation of the crew.

Green said further information regarding the Alfa Nero-related operation would be made public as needed and in line with maintaining the confidentiality of the investigation.

Azimut Grande 26M launches in Viareggio

The Italian shipyard Azimut Yachts has launched a new motor yacht Grande 26M. Launched at the shipyard in Viareggio. The new 26m yacht will make its debut in Cannes.

Like the Grande 36M, the exterior of the Grande 26M is designed by Alberto Mancini. Interiors designed by Achille Salvagni. At the heart of the yacht is a new concept characterized by fluid layouts and versatile spaces. For guests and crew, interiors have been created with the expectation of “intimate personal space and independence”. The master cabin is located on the main deck. It has full-height windows and plenty of natural light.

The Grande 26M is also equipped with Azimut's innovative Deck2Deck, a terrace that overlooks the sea. This innovative design features an opening transom. It rises to the very top and lies flush with the aft edge of the main deck. The cockpit thus becomes more. It can be used either as a seating area or as a dining area with a comfortable table. 

Grande 26M is one of the new generation of Azimut yachts. This is a yacht with a low level of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The Grande 26M is also the first yacht to feature the new 4600 Pod propulsion system developed by ZF. Azimut claims that the combination of highly efficient propulsion systems and a superstructure that weighs less than 30% thanks to the use of carbon fiber results in lower fuel consumption on the 20% compared to yachts of the same size.

The Grande 26M will be presented alongside other Azimut models at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

The Turkish yachting sector plans to reach $1.7 billion in exports.

Turkey is improving the capabilities of its yachting sector through changing consumer habits during the pandemic. This was reported by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

Cem Seven, President of the Association of Exporters of Ships, Yachts and Services (GYHİB), stressed that confidence in Turkish production in various product groups has also shown itself in the increase in megayacht production during the pandemic.

In the first seven months of this year, the Ships, Yachts & Services sector has exported products totaling over $722 million and is moving in line with its export target of $1.7 billion for 2022. 

“Studies show that the ultra-wealthy, who are identified as the target audience for the megayacht sector, are more likely to spend their holidays on their own yachts after the pandemic than stay in luxury hotels,” Seven said.

“In addition to megayachts, demand for smaller types of vessels has also grown significantly. Owners of small and medium sailing and motor yachts began to visit Turkey much more often. And not only in the summer months.

In terms of ship, yacht and sub-industry production, Turkey exports various types of boats and sub-industry products to 133 countries.

“Norway is the country where we export the most,” says Seven. “Along with Norway, we also export important products to other Nordic countries such as Iceland and Denmark.” About 40-50% of our sector's new construction exports go to these countries. The fact that a country like Norway, which has a great maritime history and potential, prefers Turkish shipyards for the construction of ships of various types is a very important indicator.

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30.08.2022