International Marine Management (IMM) has announced its acquisition of the Atlantic Refit Centre (ARC) in La Rochelle, France, where it will assume operations from 1 June, 2026.
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IMM, the largest yacht service provider in the Caribbean, currently has bases in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe and Grenada, with this latest addition marking the Group's official re-entry into the European market.
ARC is dedicated to the refit and repair of superyachts up to 150-metres in length. With 20 years of experience, the shipyard has proven capabilities through several standout projects, including the conversion of the 71-metre motor yacht Enigma XK, which was recognised at the World Superyacht Awards for "Best Refit".
“Returning to Europe is a defining step for IMM,” said Norina Edelman, CEO of IMM. "Marrying the strength of ARC’s existing infrastructure with IMM's spirit and values will create a unique client experience in terms of flexibility, quality and transparency. We are excited to operate a European shipyard that will allow us to give every client a bespoke experience.”
In addition to direct ocean access, the facility benefits from an 11-metre draught, two dry docks (176 and 107 metres), a 250-ton travel lift, multiple cranes, floating repair docks and 2,000 square metres of hard-standing space, providing the infrastructure needed for complex, large-scale projects.
For Fabrice Maitre, founder and COO of IMM, the expansion represents a full-circle moment following a 40-year career that began in France. “France is where my career began, and the Tatoosh refit in La Rochelle was a significant step in both my career and superyacht refit generally," he said. "Establishing IMM’s presence here, with such a capable facility, allows us to bring our experience, standards, and approach back to a market we know deeply.”
The IMM team will oversee all yard operations at ARC, with a particular focus on "tailor-made" experiences for clients.
"The two dry docks, together with the vast surrounding space, make the setup far more ‘tailor-made’ than other shipyards on the market," said IMM's global director, Victor Pérez. "Having a rich network of local contractors, as well as easy connectivity to Central Europe makes ARC particularly attractive, especially for yachts over 5,000 tonnes, for whom haul-out options on the market are very limited, especially in shipyards specialising in superyacht refit.”
IMM also revealed that the co-founder of ARC, Stephanie Marcelli, will be stepping away from her role as president, but will remain involved in the company's operations to help ensure a smooth transition. “I am thrilled to see ARC passing into such capable hands," said Marcelli. "Norina and Fabrice share our commitment to a customised, flexible and reliable approach to superyacht refit."
She continued: "Fabrice and IMM’s return to La Rochelle marks an exciting new chapter for the yard as a superyacht refit hub. The integration of ARC into the IMM group brings exactly the kind of expertise and momentum the French Atlantic superyacht sector needs to further strengthen its position internationally."