For the 21st year running, the highly reputed Global Order Book 2021 confirms that Paolo and Giovanna Vitelli’s Azimut|Benetti Group is the world’s leading builder of superyachts, beating the other players by a large margin and reporting a total length of 3,521 metres and 100 projects.
The Global Order Book 2021, the ranking published each year by highly reputed UK magazine Boat International to report on industry trends for yachts over 24 metres in length, based on actual order data, has recognised Azimut|Benetti Group as the world’s top superyacht builder, with 100 projects over 80 feet totalling 3,521 metres in length.
The report by Boat International took account of work at 179 shipyards worldwide where yachts over 24 metres in length are built, revealing that top ranking Azimut Benetti has a 12% share of the market in this segment based on the 821 projects analysed, with a lead over the second ranking player of 16% in terms of number of projects and 432 metres by length (the equivalent of 18 24-metre yachts).
This recognition takes on a special meaning this year when we remember the difficulties faced over the last 12 months by the yachting industry, like the economy as a whole, as a result of the crisis caused by the pandemic.
On this subject, it is important to remember not only how quickly and effectively the Group responded to a complex situation, but most importantly its determination to continue to invest steadily in the development of new products. This decision has been repaid by the arrival on the market of models that have been admired and bought “on paper” before even touching the water, like Benetti’s Oasis 40M, with 12 units sold just two months after the yacht’s debut, and the Azimut Yachts Trideck, which has already sold five units before the official presentation. Great success also for Benetti’s steel and aluminium production, with a special focus on the B.Now, B.YOND and Custom categories. Other than the recent sales of 2 B.Yond 37M and 3 B.Now 50M, 6 custom yachts, 60-meter and over in length and with steel hull, are currently under construction at the Benetti shipyard in Livorno.
Azimut|Benetti’s leadership is therefore the result of the Group’s historical assets – ongoing research into innovative approaches, the drive to introduce cutting-edge technology, financial solidity and, last but not least, a close-knit global distribution and assistance network – as well as the ability to anticipate owners’ expectations, which include a growing concern for sustainability issues.
A final crucial factor from a geographical perspective is Azimut|Benetti’s high profile in the most important regions for super yacht sales, like the United States, where the Group has been market leader for years, as well as in particularly promising ones, as South East Asian countries are proving to be.
“We dedicate this win to everyone in our company and to our customers, whose confidence in us fills us with gratitude and honour,” said Giovanna Vitelli, Group Executive Vice President, continuing: “A challenging season awaits us, but we have got off to the best of starts, with an already sizeable order book (80% Benetti and 60% Azimut Yachts) and a total of 9 products in the pipeline with launches planned over the next 10 months.”
