Day: 1 October 2018

At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, Inmarsat announced that it is strengthening its links with the superyacht community, with the appointment of its partner SSI-Monaco as a reseller of Inmarsat’s ground-breaking Fleet Xpress (FX) service.

The strategic agreement marks a new phase in the partnership between Inmarsat and SSI-Monaco – it will enable the company to efficiently meet customer demand for flexible, high-performance broadband connectivity.

The appointment of SSI-Monaco as an FX reseller significantly enhances its capabilities to offer captains and crew access to the world’s only globally available high-speed satellite broadband network.

Rob Myers, Inmarsat Maritime, Senior Director, Large Yacht and Passenger, said: “We are really pleased that SSI is joining our Fleet Xpress partner network. It increases our presence in a key region at a time when demand in the superyacht market for reliable, seamless and secure connectivity is growing strongly. To meet this demand is important to extend the Inmarsat network and secure the support of key partners, such as SSI, to enable fast industry transition to high-speed connectivity.

“Awareness of the differentiated capabilities of Fleet Xpress is increasingly rapidly. It delivers reliable, flexible, high performance superyacht connectivity globally, strengthening Inmarsat’s position as the driving force in the global maritime sector for connectivity at sea.”

Fleet Xpress for superyachts is powered by the Global Xpress Ka-band network, combined with the proven reliability of Inmarsat’s flagship FleetBroadband L-band service. Delivering high data speeds, continuous connectivity and guaranteed performance, the service sets a new standard for maritime global communications with crew welfare, regulatory and operational drivers at the heart. Benefits include affordable voice calls, multiple voice options for crew and operations, and high-speed broadband for internet access, plus 24/7 online support by certified engineers. For superyacht clients, Fleet Xpress provides added subscription flexibility to meet seasonal demand changes.

The 2018 Inmarsat Superyacht Connectivity Report is available for download now by clicking on the following link: http://www2.inmarsat.com/l/321511/2018-09-24/wgkh6

The Urban Planning Department held a press briefing on the renovation of the urban networks that will take place on the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, from October 8th. The event was held in the presence of the various concessionaires who will undertake the works: the Monegasque Company of Electricity and Gas (SMEG), Monaco Telecom, the Monegasque Company of Waters (SMEAUX), the Monegasque Company of Sanitation (SMA ) and the company SIVIA’M.

Jean-Luc Puyo, Director of Urban Planning, said, “These operations concern the renovation of the various networks, obsolete (most of them date back to the 1950s) and undersized, which are now indispensable and will be carried out in stages and the methods used will limit the impact on the traffic and noise.”

Jean-Luc Puyo then listed the main actions that these renovations will allow.

• Preventive replacement of a significant portion of the electricity distribution network
• The increase of power supply capacities of electric cables
• The creation of a “rainwater” network separated from the wastewater network
• Renovation of the Monaco Telecom telephone network for a more modern, secure and efficient network
• The removal of telephone cables currently in front of buildings,
  including those of the cable network
• The eligibility of cables for new technologies, especially optical fiber
• The replacement of a SMEaux pipeline for the perpetuation of the public network, the comfort of the subscribers and the evolution of the urbanization of the Principality.

  The first phase of the work, programmed in eight micro-phases, will last about six months. It will start on October 8th at the base of the Jardin Exotique, near the Sainte Devote interchange, and will end before the Grand Prix 2019, at the roundabout of the bd of Belgium.

The 6th edition of the China Night in Monaco took place in the tunnel Riva, 27th September 2018, to mark the 28th Monaco Yacht Show.

Under the patronage of the Monaco Embassy in China, this evening has become an unmissable event of the Monaco Yacht Show, which is a key partner of the event.

Building on this success, the 2018 edition of China Night has changed its concept to give it a more exclusive character. To do this, the Riva Tunnel hosted the private dinner of China Night organised in collaboration with RIVA Monaco Boat Service and the Directorate of Tourism and Congress.

This 6th edition, which follows the state visit of HSH Prince Albert II to the People’s Republic of China, is in a turning point in China-Monegasque relations.

As the Ambassador of Monaco in China, HE Catherine Fautrier, said, “Relations between China and Monaco are now very strong in many areas, which shows that the difference in size of countries is not an obstacle.”

Many partnerships have been created between the two countries, such as the one that links the Principality for several years with Hantang Culture in the field of communication.

In the field of telecommunications and high technology, Monaco Telecom has signed a partnership with Huawei for the launch of 5G in the Monegasque territory. Finally, in the field of yachting, the Riva house, which is part of the Monegasque heritage, is now linked to the Chinese group Wei Chai.

At the heart of these exchanges, the China Night 2018 brought together the representatives of these different entities around Chinese guests who came to Monaco for the Monaco Yacht Show.

Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen’s spectactular crash at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2018 was a turning point for the driver’s season. Christian Horner, team boss for Red Bull, said Verstappen had suffered a series of crashes or mishaps earlier in the season, culminating in the practice crash that saw him fail to compete in the qualifying stage.

Horner, quoted by Sky Sports, said fortunes have since turned around for the young Dutchman.

He said, “That hurt him quite badly because he’s obviously extremely quick in Monaco – right up until the point he crashed. That was a tough outcome for him and, since that point, he has driven incredibly well.”

Verstappen is now out-performing his more senior teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, with podium finishes in recent races, and several qualifications as the lead car.

In Russia, he started at the back of the grid to finish fifth in the race, with an amazing first few laps, where he passed 14 cars.

Verstappen is still only 21 years old.

The Monte-Carlo Piano Masters takes place between October 2nd and 6th, 2018.

This competition is reserved for finalists of international competitions, who will compete for a single award – the Prince Rainier III Prize, worth €30,000.

After audition rounds around the world, the selected competitors compete in three rounds in Monte Carlo.

Quarter-finals
Tuesday October 2, 2018 / from 10 am
Selection of the 4 competitors for the semi-final.

Semi-final
Wednesday October 3, 2018 / from 9 am
Selection of the 2 finalists.
Single rate: 25€

Final
Saturday October 6, 2018 / 8pm
With the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Direction Yoko Matsuo
Presentation Alain Duault
Tickets from 20 to 200 €

As we say goodbye to Monaco Yacht Show for another season, we bring you our top four brokerage yachts from the hundreds on display. Since the show opened, we’ve visited numerous superyachts with some of the leading brokerage houses and we’ve shortlisted four that really stood out as great boats, great deals and well worth a visit.

BARBARA

Jointly listed for sale by Fraser Yachts and Burgess, Barbara is one of the largest vessels in the show. At 89m, she dwarfs most of the other yachts in the port and yet has beautiful exterior lines from the drawing board of Sam Sorgiovanni. Launched in 2017 by Oceanco in the Netherlands, she is the newest yacht in her class on the second-hand market and has only been very lightly used. In almost new condition, she is a true global cruiser and boasts an incredible range as well as a top speed of 19 knots. She can carry up to 32 crew and also has “touch and go” helicopter capability.

The aft Upper Deck, with its expansive informal dining and serving buffet is a centre for the day to day life onboard. The additional lounge seating makes this deck extremely practical and is loved by the Owners.

The forward two cabins can convert to create a large VIP or a second Master Cabin for versatility during chartering. There is a massive, fully equipped gymnasium on the Sundeck while the wellness area on the Lower Deck is specifically designed to be in a quiet and relaxed part of the vessel with the addition of a Beauty Salon and massage treatment room.

There is a stunning ornamental central staircase, where the glass elevator shaft is wrapped in a beautiful gnarled silvered root system of an ancient tree rising continuously through two decks.

ILLUSION PLUS

At 88.5m, Illusion Plus is a modern mountain of a yacht. She is fresh from her maiden voyage from the Pride Mega Yachts shipyard in Yantai China and is making her world debut at the Monaco Yacht Show exclusively with Y.CO co-founder & Chairman Gary Wright as well as Y.CO sales broker Max Bulley. Her huge 6 deck volume of 3,642 gross tonnes makes her extremely good value for money, especially considering the fact that her entire diesel-electric propulsion system is from Rolls Royce.

Her large volume also allows for an 80m² Owner’s suite with his and hers bathrooms, private deck space and office, 2 Jacuzzi’s, a dedicated Spa, gym, beauty salon, elevator, ocean lounge and numerous other generous guests areas. Whilst being on the market through Y.CO brokerage company, she is effectively a brand new vessel awaiting her first owners.

VANTAGE

Oean Independence has a wide selection of yachts on display both in the port and at anchor, one of which is Vantage a Palmer Johnson PJ 150 which deserves a special mention. She is listed for sale by Chris Collins of their Fort Lauderdale office. Vantage is not just another PJ 150 however, she is hull number seven in the series. She features two full deck levels and her layout therefore offers an enhanced amount of exterior space for entertaining guests. Additionally, her fantastic sundeck offers guests beautiful views of the ocean in an al fresco setting with a Jacuzzi, full bar, barbeque and comfortable relaxation pads. To top it all, she is impeccably maintained.

HERCULINA

Built as Iroquios by an experienced yacht owner, Herculina is a phenomenal example of the over-engineered Feadships of the late 1990s. Under her current ownership she has been significantly upgraded & updated. Of major significance is the fact that her hull & superstructure were completely repainted and new teak laid throughout in 2016. Her full beam master suite contains not only an office but also a large ante-cabin ideal for young children. Her expansive sundeck features a bar and a large Jacuzzi and is outstanding for a yacht of this length. Her price reflects the owner’s desire to achieve a quick sale.