Monaco’s maritime and yachting sector generated €659.7 million in revenue, excluding finance and insurance, according to figures presented at Cluster Yachting Monaco’s Winter Pop-Up.
The total was 16.3% higher than in 2022. The sector comprised 475 establishments, an increase of 15.6%, and supported 1,495 jobs, up 4.6%.
Wholesale remained the largest contributor, producing €361 million of revenue in 2025, while the number of professional, scientific and technical businesses rose by more than 30% over three years.
Around 100 brokers, captains, owners and company representatives attended the event at Yacht Club de Monaco. Bernard d’Alessandri, director and general secretary of the club and president of Cluster Yachting Monaco and the Monaco Yachting Chamber, said participation by a new generation was ‘essential for the sector’s future’.
Inflation and instability
A panel on geopolitics examined the effects of tariffs, sanctions, compliance requirements, inflation and instability on yacht markets.
Numarine founder Omer Malaz identified Saudi Arabia and Egypt as developing opportunities, although Europe and the US remain priority markets.
Maxwell Andrews, executive adviser at Monaco House Saudi Arabia, said Saudi Arabia’s marina, infrastructure and destination investment would take ‘10 to 15 years’ to develop fully.
Malaz also expects newbuild activity to move east as Turkey improves quality and narrows its price gap with European yards.
“I think in the near future, shipbuilding will shift to the East,” he said, citing Turkey, Dubai and Poland.
Owner’s expectations
The final session considered the limited share of sailing superyachts despite pressure to reduce environmental impact. Panellists said high rigging costs, technical complexity and owners’ expectations for space, stability and sea access remain obstacles.
Captain Pascal Berger said the owner of SEA Index-certified S/Y Atmosphere lives aboard at least five months a year and would like to stay there all year round. Designer German Frers Jr described sailing as a combination of ‘sensation, pleasure and adrenaline’.
Participants also identified a shortage of sailing knowledge among younger brokers and crew. Cluster Yachting Monaco, founded in 2014 and representing more than 100 member companies, will hold its AGM on 9 December 2026.
