Two hundred international yachting professionals gathered at Benetti’s Livorno and Viareggio Shipyards for the 26th Yachtmaster.
The modernisation of infrastructure and on-board technology, preventive maintenance, and turnkey services were the main topics at the 26th Benetti Yachtmaster, hosted for the first time entirely in the company’s Livorno and Viareggio production facilities. The event, created in 2000 by Azimut|Benetti Group founder Paolo Vitelli to bring the yachting community together and share the boat builder’s latest developments, welcomed superyacht captains, surveyors and owner representatives to the Viareggio and Livorno shipyards from February 11 to 13. In Viareggio, where the Shipyard was founded, guests were able to soak up the brand’s heritage by immersing themselves in the atmosphere of its famous Carnival.
Listening as a strategic value
The opening day was an opportunity to present the results of the process launched following the listening phase after the 2025 event. In response to the evidence that emerged last year from structured tools such as the Net Promoter Score (NPS) and the Perspective from the Bridge project, Benetti has implemented new processes and technologies at its facilities to optimise operating standards and flows, delivering on its commitments to owners and strengthening the bond of trust with the community of captains and partners.
In recent years, Benetti’s drive for innovation has also resulted in structural improvements to shipyard safety: the installation of latest-generation electronic panels and automatic turnstiles now optimises the management of people flows and access to work areas, facilitating operators’ daily activities.
“Ongoing dialogue with owners, captains and crews is a strategic lever for excellence in the production and servicing of our yachts,” underscored Massimiliano Casoni, Benetti General Manager.“These activities have helped to strengthen the relationship of trust with our stakeholders, translating into tangible actions across the entire supply chain, from initial contact with the customer to after-sales service, and establishing a long-term relationship between the brand, the owner and the crew.”
Services at the centre
Direct feedback from owners and their need for worry-free cruising has resulted in Azimut|Benetti Service Division, which was presented to captains during the second day of Yachtmaster. Launched by the Group in January 2026, the platform meets the needs of contemporary owners seeking simplicity, immediacy and intelligent solutions. The aim is greater freedom of use: less management and more emotion.
“The Service Division is the natural evolution of our approach to services, designed to support customers throughout the entire life cycle of their yacht, protecting the asset, preserving its value over time and guaranteeing real peace of mind,” concluded Massimiliano Casoni.
The three strategic pillars of the new proposition are: Technical Services, Fleet Operation and the Lifestyle & Turnkey ecosystem. The Shipyard provides management services that include personalized maintenance plans, warranty extensions and global assistance at certain costs. Additionally, a digital IoT platform installed on board optimises the boat’s lifespan and performance. Another key factor is investing in human capital with the Crew Academy, the programme of training excellence that enhances crew expertise to ensure impeccable service standards. Finally, through its Yachtique atelier, the Shipyard offers interior design consulting and bespoke solutions – from move-in-ready collections to furnishings designed by leading luxury brands – to reflect every detail of the owner’s style.
A global assistance network
Supporting this vision, the Benetti Service Net project was presented during the conference at the Livorno shipyard. This global support network has a broad base of 16 Service Points located in all key geographical areas and managed by ten partners selected and certified directly by Benetti. The Service Points operate according to rigorous technical standards and under the central coordination of the Shipyard, ensuring prompt support, high quality and operational continuity wherever the yacht is cruising, as well as guaranteeing integrated access to all Benetti maintenance and warranty programmes worldwide.
The backdrop for the 26th Benetti Yachtmaster was provided by the famous Viareggio Carnival celebrations, an iconic Italian tradition that shares a common heritage with the Shipyard: both were founded in 1873 by the skilled dockworkers and craftsmen of the Darsena. It was the ingenuity of master carpenters and caulkers that gave life to the first allegorical carnival floats, transferring their construction expertise from wooden boats to city parades. This storied setting, involving masked races and the museum spaces in the Cittadella, provided the backdrop for team-building activities, encouraging discussion and strengthening the synergy between captains and professionals.
Also attending the 26th Yachtmaster, the Azimut|Benetti Group refit division Lusben answered participants’ questions about programmes and services for captains and owners, illustrating the technological innovations, facilities and teams of professionals at the three sites in Varazze, Viareggio and Livorno. The event was also an opportunity to look back over 70 years in business since the company’s foundation in Viareggio in 1956.
Benetti extends its thanks to the following partners and sponsors whose contribution was vital to the production and success of the event: GIGA partners: Acquera Yachting, AWLGRIP, Termodinamica, Viraver, Volvo Penta. MEGA partners: ASEA Power Systems, Boero, CMC Marine, Dockwise, Jotun, MTU, RINA, Saim Marine, Telemar, Crew Pro, Raymarine. CLASS partners: CGT, ASEA Nautica, Naiad, Videoworks, ZF Group, Fraser Yacht, Memetti Yachting, VSS, Sail ADV, Fincantieri.
