Top worldwide yacht refit and repair shipyards

When purchasing an operational superyacht, a new owner will likely want to overhaul his or her new investment to suit décor to personal tastes, ensuring interior layouts are fit for purpose and systems are up to date. They will want to upgrade the yacht to the highest possible standards.

Consequently, they face the difficult task of deciding which of the world’s leading facilities to select for refit, conversion or repair. Although location will be a leading factor in shipyard selection, so too will reputation and past project experience.

Here, Yachting Pages lists some of the world’s best superyacht refit and repair shipyards, from A to Z.

1. Amico & Co

Amico shipyard

Recognised by a name with two centuries of history in the yachting industry, Amico & Co was established as a refit specialist in 1991, and now accommodates vessels up to 200 metres (656 feet) in facilities spanning just over 50,000 square metres.

Current facilities include four dry docks with lengths up to 170 metres (557 feet), 12 covered refit and repair areas, two travel lifts (835T and 320T), a keel pit and ample in-house workshops for engineering, engine and generator services, technical systems, painting, carpentry, interiors, electrics and more.

The yard does an average of 135 projects per year. Some of its most notable of all time include a major 17-month conversion aboard an 85-metre (278-foot) passenger yacht formerly known as Delma, the refit of 75-metre (246-foot) Amels M/Y Boadicea, and of 55-metre (180-foot) Proteksan M/Y Turquoise, which saw new dining and entertaining areas added to her sundeck, and a Nikki Beach-style night cinema to her main aft deck.

Alberto Amico, president and operations manager of Amico & Co, said, “The superyacht refit market is thriving as the fleet continues to grow and there are good opportunities on pre-owned yachts that the owner can refit and upgrade in a short time for a fair price.

“Owners who desire customised yachts that meet the highest safety and environmental standards are increasingly embracing the benefits of the refit solution. The nature of the market demand is changing, however for larger yachts and bigger refit projects, most clients are now organised with qualified consultants and managers, and as a result, the design and bidding process is better managed. Clients pay more attention to the key criteria for choosing a yard: reliability, quality and technical capability.”

2. Astilleros de Mallorca S.A.

Astilleros de Mallorca shipyard

Astilleros de Mallorca, founded in 1942, is a fully equipped and specialised shipyard which allows refit, repair or maintenance work on all yachts of a range of sizes.

The shipyard offers a full range of in-house services, including customs procedures, general storage, fuel supply, tan cleaning, laboratory analysis and security, and it is an official Bonded Store operator.

Its long-standing experience on new builds and refits assures the quality expected on a superyacht refit, and its flexibility, transparency, and client orientation have distinguished itself in the market.

With over 50 direct employees, divided into nine different disciplines or workshops, and with over 450 companies based in Palma dedicated to the yachting industry, clients retain control over how, when and by whom the refit is carried out. Delivering precision and attention to detail has made Astilleros de Mallorca a reference shipyard in the refit and repair industry, meeting owners’ requirements on budget and on schedule.

With facilities for hauling vessels of up to 1700 tons and 100m in length, Astilleros de Mallorca also provides an exterior berthing quay for vessels of up to 119 metres (390 feet) in length.

3. Derecktor

Derecktor shipyard

Soon to be celebrating 75 years of service, Derecktor is a comprehensive mega yacht refit, repair and maintenance facility with a growing number of full-time employees and local marine specialists beyond.

Derecktor has refit and repair shipyards across the United States in New York, Dania Beach, Ft. Pierce and Maine. It has a range of facilities including two Cimolai mobile boat hoists of 820MT and 200MT capacity, and it can serve mega yachts from 30 to 65 metres (98 to 213 feet) in length. Its core competencies include custom steel and aluminium welding and fabrication, ship fitting, pipe fitting, heavy mechanical and rigging and protective coatings.

Its most visible project to date is aboard iconic Feadship Highlander back in 2013/14, which saw her transom modified and stern extended by an additional 3.65 metres (11.9 feet). Her sundeck was also extended, giving more relaxation areas, and her main deck refitted for private cruising. Updated zero-speed stabilisers, audio-visual and sewage systems completed the refit to prepare her for charter.

4. Fincantieri Yachts

Fincantieri shipyard

With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 vessels built, Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipyards. The group now has 18 shipyards in 4 continents, nearly 20,000 employees, and is the leading Western shipbuilder.

Fincantieri is a benchmark operator in yacht refit and repair. Its projects are carried out in the Muggiano and Trieste shipyards. These workplaces have young and enthusiastic teams and the best experts in each construction area of the craft. This collaborative effort involves pooling and integrating skills and experiences, and the result is a process that is both stimulating and efficient.

On top of all this, all the procedures are fully compliant with European and international standards as far as safety, quality and environmental protection are concerned.

Equipped with state-of-the-art production and industrial technology facilities, the yards can work on vessels over 70 metres (229 feet) in length and has a huge network of specialised suppliers at its disposal who can meet the very specific demands of yacht owners. By employing numerous design concepts developed in tandem with international design studios, Fincantieri Yachts has worked on boats that are the epitome of Italian creativity and style - unique, one-of-a-kind, and instantly recognised around the world.

5. Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven

Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven

Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven’s shipyard covers more than 260,000 square metres in Überseehafen on the German North Sea coast. Able to accommodate yachts of more than 300 metres (984 feet) in length, the shipyard contains three large dry and floating docks as well as high-performance workshops. It works according to the most stringent quality, safety and ecological assurance standards (DIN ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 certifications).

Large, complex yachts and superyachts is Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven’s passion. It meets all clients’ expectations, utilising the highest quality, precision, reliability and discretion. Each of its projects is unique, individually developed, designed and built. With over 160 years of experience working with complex nautical projects, it achieves first-class quality within an agreed time frame and budget.

6. Lusben

Superyachts in refit at Lusben

Located in Viareggio, Italy, Lusben has established itself as one of the leading refit and repair shipyards in the world. Boasting 60 years’ experience of refit and repair works on luxury yachts ranging from 20 to 40 metres (66 to 131 feet), Lusben prides itself on delivering high-quality projects, breathing ‘new life’ into every vessel.

More than 1,000 yachts have passed through the yard over the decades with the Lusben team of marine engineers and specialist technicians having implemented everything from mechanical, structural and interior refits to support for upgrades to electrical systems.

7. Nautech Group

Nautech shipyards

As one of France’s oldest refit yards, Nautech is well known and respected in the yachting industry. Founded in 1996, it began repairing yachts in Marseille but it has now expanded and has shipyards in La Ciotat, Antibes, La Martinique and Cuba. The shipyard has a 60-metre (196-foot) dry dock and a 300t travel lift.

Some of its notable projects include works on Feadship’s Al Mahboba, Callisto and Siran, surveys and exterior refit on 90-metre (295-foot) Oceanco Indian Empress, and paint, surveys and refit works on 45-metre (147-foot) Benetti Lady Christina.

8. MB92 Group

MB92 Group

Soon celebrating 30 years of world-class refits, MB92 is one the world’s largest and most well-known superyacht refit, repair and maintenance facilities.

As a result of increased investment in recent years, MB92 has seen the benefits of a major expansion and redevelopment. Works have seen the site expand by almost 1000,00m², and a new 2,000t Syncrolift installed. The facility has a 220-metre (721-foot) dry dock, and there are also plans for a new 4,000t shiplift.

The yard is well known for being discreet about its clients, but past projects have included 82-metre (269-foot) classic yacht Talitha.

9. Palumbo Superyachts

Palumbo superyachts

Starting out in Naples in 1967 as a fairly small carpentry and metalwork yard to support the local ship-repair industry, Palumbo Group is now a major player in the new-build and refit/repair sectors in its own right.

With the acquisition of its Marseille yard in 2014, the group became one of the largest refit and repair networks in the Mediterranean, and now operates five shipyards throughout the region and Tenerife to a total area of 41.5 hectares. Its facilities include 14 docks to an overall length of 3.3 kilometres, with over 250 yachts refitted to date.

10. Pendennis

Pendennis shipyard

With over 30 years’ experience, Pendennis has shipyard facilities in Falmouth, England and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Currently manned by a team of 440 skilled workers specialised in all trades of new-build and refit works, and known for its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, Pendennis is continuously expanding its workforce allowing it to offer bespoke refit projects. These range from engineering and survey works through to detailed classic yacht restorations, stern extensions and complete rebuild projects.

Some of its most impressive projects include the 12-month interior rebuild and redesign of 85.6-metre (280-foot) M/Y Aquila (ex. Cakewalk), which saw creation of a new cinema room, 60-square-metre owner’s deck, Jacuzzi and disco bar/PA system among routine survey and technology upgrades. The project won Pendennis the World Superyacht Award for Best Refit 2017. Pendennis was also recognised for the Best Rebuild in 2016 for its work on 50-metre (164-foot) M/Y Malahne, which underwent a 30-month major restoration to return her to her original 1930s glory after she became completely unrecognisable in the 1980s.

11. Sudcantieri Shipyard

Sudcantieri

Sudcantieri is one of the largest shipyards in Italy, providing clients with a high-quality service for yachts of a range of sizes. The shipyard contains two travel lifts of 80 and 160 tons, large hangars and large open areas for a total of 30,000 square metres, allowing the team to work on large boats both externally and internally. Sudcantieri ensures assistance for any kind of ordinary and extraordinary maintenance, from small repairs to complete refitting. As well as this, there are three self-propelled trailers up to 100 tons, fixed scaffolding for external work on hulls, storage capacity for sailing boats and a fully equipped warehouse.

As an authorised Caterpillar service centre, Sudcantieri ensures assistance for any kind of usual or unusual maintenance, from small repairs to complete refitting. The latest products and solutions are used with all of Sudcantieri's past experience, and regular refresher courses are given to staff to keep them on the cutting edge of a continually evolving industry.


Discover our top 10 luxury yacht builders or read more Shipyards – Refit and Repair articles. Looking for the right shipyard for a refit project on your yacht? Search for refit and repair shipyards here.

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