Alexander Marine Australia visits Cannes Yachting Festival

16 October 25

The 47th Cannes Yachting Festival once again proved why it is regarded as Europe’s premier in-water event, with more than 56,000 visitors and over 700 yachts on display. But for Alexander Marine global yacht acquisitions & superyacht division, Cannes was just the beginning. Our team travelled across Europe, inspecting yachts at anchor, visiting shipyards, and attending exclusive broker open houses to ensure our clients in Australia and New Zealand remain at the forefront of global opportunities.

A defining feature of the European season is the access it provides beyond the marina walls. Alongside the official displays, many of the world’s finest yachts lie at anchor just outside Cannes, available for private inspection away from the crowds. This unique dynamic, combined with the invitation-only open houses in Monaco and Nice, create opportunities that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere, adding real value to the customer journey through opening doors, building relationships, and securing access that delivers results for our clients.

Cannes itself delivered some particularly memorable moments. Among them was stepping aboard the Gagliotta 52 — a 53-foot lobster boat we proudly assisted a client in acquiring last year. Since delivery into the Mediterranean, the Australian family has enjoyed an unforgettable summer of cruising before showcasing her at the show. For us, it was the perfect reminder of what our global yacht acquisitions & superyachts division excels at: supporting clients every step of the way, from sourcing and negotiating to delivery and long-term enjoyment.

The show also saw some spectacular world launches. Representing Galeon Yachts in Australia and New Zealand, we were proud to witness the unveiling of the Galeon 620 FLY, which went on to win a prestigious World Yachts Trophy during the week. Its bold asymmetrical saloon layout and fold-out terraces create a sense of openness and connection to the sea rarely seen in its class. Alongside it, the new Galeon 430 EXP marked the shipyard’s first foray into compact explorer yachts, blending rugged practicality with Galeon’s signature flair for design. Together, these premieres demonstrated just how confidently Galeon Yachts continue to push boundaries and set new standards.

Aquila Catamarans also delivered their most ambitious display to date, headlined by the global debut of the Aquila 46 Yacht. With its expansive flybridge, clever bridge-to-bow stairway, and fold-down cockpit bar, the 46 captured Aquila’s vision of maximising every moment at sea. The European premieres of the 50 Yacht, 42 Coupe and 46 Coupe with Hydro Glide® foiling reinforced Aquila’s momentum as a leader in the catamaran market.

Benetti once again showed why it is regarded as the “House of Yachting”. By a special invite, Alexander Marine Australia team members experienced the new Oasis 42M launch - one of the most detailed and talked-about launches at the show, joining the Oasis 34M and 40M in redefining what it means to live close to the water. On display alongside the Oasis family were the Motopanfilo 37M, which pays homage to Benetti’s classic heritage while delivering contemporary luxury, and the impressive Class 44, a yacht that balances volume, elegance and performance at scale. Later in the week, our team travelled to Livorno to visit Benetti’s production facilities, reinforcing our close ties with the yard and our ability to bring these world-class vessels to our market.

Beyond the brands we represent, we also connected with some of Europe’s largest yards, inspecting Outer Reef’s all-new Dutch steel-built range — a first for the company — as well as new projects from Van der Valk, San Lorenzo, Steeler Yachts and Moonen. A sea trial on the largest Proton 40ft model day boat confirmed its outstanding speed and stability, setting a new benchmark in its category.

Throughout the trip, we also inspected a series of off-market and soon-to-be-listed brokerage vessels on behalf of our Australian clients. These are the opportunities that never make it to the public arena, but which we look forward to showcasing in the coming months.

From the quays of Cannes to ports of Sardinia, Livorno, Nice, and Monaco, this European journey captured exactly what Alexander Marine does best: combining global reach with local expertise to deliver outcomes for our clients. Whether it is guiding them into world premieres, securing off-market opportunities, or strengthening our relationships with leading shipyards, our mission is clear — to ensure our clients are always ahead of the market.

Contact us today to discuss your interest further.

Australia +61 (0)7 5618 0000 or [email protected]

New Zealand +64 (0)21 473 867 or [email protected]