The Future of Refit: Informa Prestige Announces New Superyacht Refit Event in Monaco

Informa Prestige, the luxury and lifestyle portfolio of Informa Markets, has announced the launch of The Future of Refit, a new event dedicated exclusively to the rapidly evolving global superyacht refit, refurbishment and maintenance sector.

Taking place from 31 March to 2 April 2027 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the event will bring together shipyards, yacht owners, designers, equipment manufacturers and refit specialists for three days of professional networking, specialist content and industry discussion. An on-water display of refit yachts will also be hosted at the marina of the Yacht Club de Monaco, a key partner of the event.

The launch reflects the growing importance of refit within the superyacht industry, as an ageing global fleet, increasingly complex onboard technologies and evolving environmental regulations continue to drive demand for refurbishment and modernisation.

A market with significant growth potential

According to industry estimates, the global superyacht refit market is currently valued at between $3 billion and $5 billion annually, with estimated annual growth of between 6 and 9 per cent. Refit is also understood to account for approximately 36 per cent of earnings across the wider superyacht sector.

The scale of the opportunity is supported by a global fleet of more than 6,000 active superyachts over 30 metres, many of which are now reaching their first or second major refit cycle following the significant growth in new yacht construction during the 2000s and 2010s.

Owners typically allocate around 10 per cent of a yacht’s value each year to operations and maintenance, while major refit projects generally take place every five to ten years. As a result, refit has become one of the industry’s most consistent and recurring sources of revenue.

Several factors are expected to further accelerate this trend. Stricter environmental regulations, the continued expansion of the charter market, limited availability for new-build projects at leading shipyards and the increasing technical complexity of modern yachts are all contributing to the growing demand for sophisticated refit and upgrade programmes.

A dedicated platform for the refit sector

The Future of Refit aims to fill what Informa Prestige identifies as a gap in the international superyacht calendar by creating a dedicated platform for refit, refurbishment and modernisation during the spring Mediterranean season.

The three-day event will combine a professional exhibition with an interactive conference programme and the on-water yacht display at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

A central element of the programme will be Refit Live, an interactive forum bringing together owners, designers, shipyards and specialist companies through keynote presentations, roundtables, case studies, workshops and daily sessions led by the editorial team of BOAT International.

The programme will also place particular emphasis on the relationship between creative design and technical expertise, reflecting the increasingly sophisticated nature of contemporary refit projects.

Toby Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Informa Prestige, described refit as one of the defining economic realities of the superyacht industry and said the new event would provide a dedicated environment for the entire refit ecosystem to connect and exchange expertise.

Stewart Campbell, Managing Director of BOAT International, also highlighted the growing role of refit as owners increasingly seek alternatives to lengthy new-build waiting periods, pointing to the number of ambitious refit and rebuild projects currently being undertaken by shipyards around the world.

Monaco as a hub for advanced yachting

The Future of Refit will form part of the Yacht Club de Monaco’s wider “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting” initiative, which focuses on innovation, modernisation, performance and sustainability across the yachting sector.

The Yacht Club de Monaco has already established initiatives including the SEA Index®, an international benchmark for assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of yachts, and the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, which brings together innovators and maritime technology developers working on the future of propulsion and sustainable boating.

By introducing a dedicated refit event to this ecosystem, the organisers aim to strengthen Monaco’s role as a meeting point for the development of more advanced and responsible yachting.

For Informa Prestige, which operates the Monaco Yacht Show, The Future of Refit represents a new addition to its portfolio and its first event focused exclusively on the professional refit market.

Further details regarding exhibitors, speakers, participants and the full programme are expected to be announced in the coming months.