On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco will convene prominent leaders from the global yachting sector for its 18th Economic Symposium, titled La Belle Classe Superyachts. This significant event, structured as a dinner debate, forms a key component of the broader Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting initiative, highlighting the principality's central role in maritime luxury and innovation.
Forward-Looking Theme: Yachting 2035
The symposium's theme, "Yachting 2035: the economic transformation of the sector in response to new environmental standards," promises an in-depth, forward-looking analysis. It will examine the structural shifts impacting the superyacht industry, navigating the complex intersection of regulatory, economic, and financial pressures that define this evolving landscape.
A Pivotal Moment for the Industry
Bernard d’Alessandri, Managing Director and Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, emphasized the critical juncture facing yachting. "Yachting can no longer be considered in isolation," he stated. "It is part of an economic, environmental and human ecosystem that calls for a collective, long-term vision." This perspective underscores the need for integrated strategies as the sector confronts rapid demographic, geopolitical, technological, and environmental changes.
The global superyacht industry, with an estimated economic impact of €54 billion and nearly 80% of production concentrated in Europe, stands at a crossroads. The central challenge involves balancing value creation and competitiveness with adaptation to swiftly changing regulatory frameworks aimed at sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Expert Insights and Panel Discussions
The symposium will feature a roster of distinguished experts to facilitate robust discussion:
- Francesca Webster, Editor-in-Chief of SuperYacht Times, will open proceedings with a data-driven overview of the global market. Utilizing the latest Global Order Book statistics, she will outline the economic foundations of the debate, highlighting current trends in fleet composition, order books, and brokerage market dynamics.
- Dr. Nathalie Hilmi, an expert in Macroeconomics, International Finance, and Sustainable Development, will analyze the impact of emerging environmental regulations. Her insights will address how these rules are becoming a significant economic factor across the entire value chain, influencing everything from initial yacht design to ongoing operations and refits.
- Max Kunkel, an economist at UBS, will provide a macroeconomic and geopolitical analysis. He will focus on critical long-term trends—such as demographics, deglobalization, decarbonization, digitalization, and debt—that are shaping investment strategies and financing mechanisms for the industry's transition.
- Marnix Hoekstra, Co-Creative Director and Partner at Vripack, will illustrate how owner expectations are evolving. Through case studies of projects where sustainability, innovation, and value creation are integrated from the earliest design phases, he will point toward potential new economic models for the future of superyachting.
Strategic Importance for the Sector
This gathering represents more than a routine conference; it is a strategic forum for an industry at an inflection point. The discussions aim to chart a course for how luxury yachting can thrive economically while meeting heightened environmental and regulatory demands. The outcomes could influence design philosophies, operational protocols, and investment approaches for years to come, setting benchmarks for sustainability and economic resilience in the high-end maritime sector.
By bringing together thought leaders from media, finance, sustainability, and design, the Yacht Club de Monaco's 18th Economic Symposium seeks to foster collaborative solutions and a shared vision for navigating the transformative decade ahead.
