A superyacht refit is a pivotal opportunity to enhance reliability, refresh interiors, introduce technology and reduce environmental impact. Success, however, depends on meticulous planning before entering the shipyard.
Preparation counts for everything. The strongest refits begin with a clear understanding of what the project needs to achieve. Is the priority reliability, compliance, guest comfort, engineering upgrades, aesthetics or improved efficiency? A thorough technical assessment should identify known defects, ageing equipment, upcoming class requirements and potential problems hidden behind panels or machinery. Maintenance records, drawings and previous refit reports should be reviewed before the scope is finalised.Work should then be divided into essential, desirable and optional items. This provides flexibility when unexpected issues emerge, as they inevitably do. Long-lead equipment, specialist contractors and OEM technicians should also be booked as early as possible.Planning well in advance gives the project team more choices and creates greater scope to introduce sustainable alternatives.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHIPYARD
A large dry dock or impressive travel lift does not necessarily make a yard the right choice. Experience with yachts of a similar size, construction and complexity is critical. Owners, captains and yacht managers should investigate previous projects and speak to people who have actually worked with the yard. The availability of project managers, engineers and skilled trades can be just as important as the physical infrastructure.The yard’s approach to safety, quality control, communication and change management should also be examined. During a refit, unexpected problems are inevitable; what matters is how transparently and efficiently they are handled. A visit before committing can be invaluable. Seeing active projects and meeting the people who would manage the yacht often reveals more than a tender document.
LOCATION MATTERS
The location of the yard can have a major impact on both cost and schedule. A convenient location can reduce repositioning time, crew travel and logistics, while providing easier access to the yacht’s cruising grounds. But location is about more than geography. A strong local marine industry, access to specialist subcontractors, OEM technicians and spare parts can significantly improve the efficiency of a project.For international refits, tax, customs, VAT and flag considerations should also be assessed before the yard is selected. The cheapest quotation may not represent the lowest overall project cost.
DON’T FORGET THE CREW
Crew are an important part of the refit team. Captains, engineers and senior crew understand the yacht’s systems and recurring problems, and can provide invaluable continuity during the project.Their welfare should therefore be considered when choosing a yard. If crew remain onboard, facilities such as showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, offices, security and transport are important. If they move ashore, the availability and cost of suitable accommodation, shops, restaurants and transport links should be assessed. A well-supported crew is better positioned to provide the oversight a major refit requires.
ROYAL BALK SHIPYARD
Founded in 1798, Royal Balk Shipyard is the premier Dutch shipyard for serious programmes of work. In fact, it is the only shipyard in the world that offers true ReCrafts™. This is the art of making something greater from something that already exists. It is faster, smarter, and more sustainable than building new, yet it requires unmatched skill and precision. At Royal Balk Shipyard, only the best craftsmen elevate yesterday’s masterpieces into tomorrow’s legends. Its facilities, located just an hour from Amsterdam Airport, are purpose-built for serious programmes of work. With three climate-controlled construction halls and a bespoke lifting system capable of hauling yachts out of the water and onto the hardstanding in a matter of hours, the shipyard is set up for efficient operations and can accommodate yachts of up to 65 metres in length. Its portfolio of ReCrafts includes the 30m Ursus by Acico Yachts, the 50m Emerald by Feadship, and the 45m Bravado by Abeking & Rasmussen.
MMH MALTA
MMH Malta Ltd. provides integrated yacht refit, repair and technical support services from its strategically located maritime facility in Marsa, Malta. The facility offers indoor and outdoor hardstanding, approximately 1,200 metres of berthing, two 45-metre piers, extensive laydown areas, covered sheds and dedicated workshop space. Two travel lifts, with capacities of 300 and 700 tonnes, can accommodate vessels up to 60 metres in length and 13 metres in beam. A dedicated spray booth is also available for yachts up to 23 metres. MMH supports both routine maintenance and more complex refit programmes. Services include below-water inspections and repairs, antifouling, polishing, painting and finishing, teak and carpentry works, fibreglass works, thermoplastic covering, upholstery, mast stepping and unstepping, engine works, piping fabrication, and steel and stainless-steel works. Dedicated office, warehousing and contractor areas enable efficient coordination throughout each project phase.
AUTORE
Autore has spent more than two decades solving complex yacht-refit challenges in the UAE. Founded in Dubai in 2004, the company has evolved from a specialist yacht maintenance provider into a multidisciplinary marine organisation supporting complex refit, repair and new-build projects. Today, Autore combines experienced project management, engineering expertise and skilled marine trades, providing owners, captains, management companies and shipyards with a single point of responsibility across multiple technical disciplines. As yachts become larger and more sophisticated, successful refit requires more than a collection of individual contractors. Autore understands the vessel as a whole, investigating problems, identifying root causes and developing practical solutions with careful consideration for engineering integrity, material compatibility, classification requirements, maintainability and future operation. Its capabilities span superyacht refit and repair, class survey support, exterior repainting and finishing, mechanical and electrical systems, steel and aluminium fabrication, teak deck replacement, corrosion remediation and structural repair, interior refurbishment, dry-docking and haul-out coordination, as well as preventative maintenance and ongoing technical support. This accumulated expertise has enabled Autore to expand into specialised vessel construction. The Huntrex 54, designed and built in the UAE, combines carbon-fibre and epoxy construction with four 600hp Mercury Verado outboards, achieving speeds of up to 70mph. The Huntrex 70 is now in full-scale production.
HUISFIT BY ROYAL HUISMAN
ORAMS MARINE
Located in the heart of Auckland, Orams Marine is one of the South Pacific’s leading superyacht refit and service facilities. With decades of experience and a highly skilled team, the shipyard combines specialist marine expertise with purpose-built infrastructure to deliver complex projects for yachts worldwide. They offer a comprehensive range of services, from engineering, electrical and fabrication work to boatbuilding, cabinetmaking, painting and full project management. Its 820-tonne Travelift, 60m work sheds, large hardstand space and extensive marina facilities provide the capacity and flexibility to undertake routine maintenance and significant refit projects. The shipyard’s strength lies in its people: project managers, tradespeople, engineers and former crew.
PORT DENIA SUPERYACHT MARINA & SHIPYARD
ATLAS UNITED SHIPYARDS
Atlas United Shipyards facilities are equipped to accommodate vessels from 20 to 75 metres and include a 1,200-ton Travel Lift, dry-docking facilities, dedicated workshops and covered working areas. Atlas offers a complete range of technical services, including mechanical and engineering works, electrical and electronic systems, hydraulics, HVAC, steel and aluminium works, carpentry and teak decking, GRP repairs, painting and antifouling, as well as maintenance of propulsion, steering and stabilisation systems. Atlas’ experienced technical teams provide both scheduled refit solutions and responsive technical support, with the flexibility to travel throughout Greece and across Europe. Atlas provides yacht owners, captains and management companies with a single point of contact throughout every stage of a project.
LUSBEN
With 70 years of solid experience and specialised know-how, Lusben, a division of the Azimut|Benetti Group, is one of the leading and most comprehensive refit hubs in the northern Mediterranean. With shipyards in Livorno, Viareggio and Varazze, Lusben boasts highly specialised infrastructure, including the largest keel pit in the Mediterranean for sailing yachts and the capability to accommodate superyachts over 100m. Its state-of-the-art facilities deliver a complete range of refit, repair and maintenance services, carried out in full compliance with the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental sustainability.
KM YACHTBUILDERS
KM Yachtbuilders is a full-service shipyard specialising in the new build, refit, repair and maintenance of aluminium yachts up to 100 feet. With over 25 years of experience, the company help owners make well-informed decisions about their projects, from smart upgrades to full-scale new builds. What sets KM Yachtbuilders apart is their in-house expertise. All disciplines are carried out at the yard in Makkum: aluminium construction, carpentry, electrical systems, mechanical work, painting, rigging and launching. By keeping everything under one roof, KM Yachtbuilders maintain full control over quality, timing, and detail, essential for both complex refits and custom new builds. With a single point of contact and a dedicated team of more than 60 professionals, the company focus on delivering not only excellent results, but also a smooth and transparent process. Their yachts are built for real-world conditions, and many are sailing in remote and demanding regions, including the Arctic. That’s why reliability, craftsmanship and seaworthiness are at the core of everything they do. Whether restoring a classic or launching a new explorer yacht, KM Yachtbuilders deliver Dutch quality and thoughtful service every step of the way.
PENDENNIS
For almost four decades, Pendennis Shipyard has been at the forefront of British superyacht construction, refit and restoration. Founded in Falmouth in 1988, the company has grown from a specialist Cornish shipyard into an internationally recognised superyacht business, while retaining strong links to its home port and highly skilled workforce.Today, Pendennis operates from a 14-acre waterfront site in Falmouth, supported by specialist marine and interior businesses across the UK and Europe. With more than 350 refit projects and over 30 bespoke yacht builds completed, the Group has extensive experience across sailing yachts, motor yachts and classic vessels, with nearly 700 skilled employees. Falmouth remains the heart of the operation, offering a comprehensive, full-service facility for superyacht owners, captains and management teams. The yard can accommodate yachts up to 100 metres and includes enclosed dry docks, construction halls, a wet basin, alongside berthing, an 800-tonne travel hoist, mast hall and dedicated finishing and refit facilities. Refit is a core expertise, covering maintenance, upgrades, technical and structural work. Pendennis also specialises in the sensitive restoration and rebuilding of classic yachts, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering to preserve heritage while delivering contemporary reliability, safety and performance.
ATLANTIC REFIT CENTER
International Marine Management (IMM) is entering an exciting new chapter with the acquisition and operation of the Atlantic Refit Center (ARC) in La Rochelle, France With more than 20 years of experience, ARC is a dedicated superyacht refit and repair facility capable of accommodating yachts up to 150 metres. Its strategic location on the French Atlantic coast, with direct 24/7 deep-sea access, two dry docks, a 250-ton travel lift and extensive afloat repair facilities, makes it uniquely equipped for complex refit and conversion projects. The move brings together ARC’s established infrastructure and local expertise with IMM’s four decades of refit experience and its extensive Caribbean operations. For IMM, the expansion represents a return to its European roots and a commitment to delivering a flexible, transparent and highly personalised refit experience.
