All the highlights of BOAT Radio 2026 at the BOAT Lounge

This year, BOAT International introduced two additions at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show with the launch of the BOAT Lounge and BOAT Radio – creating a new destination for conversation, networking and industry insight.

Developed in partnership with the Monaco Yacht Show, the BOAT Lounge was a relaxed hub and a place for owners, industry leaders and visitors to take a break from the bustle of the stands over all four days of the show and enjoy a podcast or two. The Lounge was developed in partnership with Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Ulyssia Residences, Pelorus, La Forêt Real Estate and cremadonna. 

To see all the podcasts that happened in the BOAT Lounge, click here or check out the day-by-day agenda below.

Wednesday: A keynote podcast, the Blue Wake Awards and wise words from Jamie Edmiston

The first day began with a scene-setting keynote podcast by Toby Moore, CEO of Informa Prestige, who explained his 2026 vision for the show. He discussed the changes he and his team have made, including improvements to the show experience and layout and the evolution of the Prestige VIP Programme, designed to provide a more curated experience for its most discerning guests. “When you think about a yacht owner, you have to think about what they want when they come to the Monaco Yacht Show, and what experience do we think that we should be providing for them,” he explained. “It's not about being hustled around the docks trying to fight to get onto the boats. It needs to be a much more elegant experience for them. So that's what the Prestige VIP programme is all about. It's about a managed, bespoke journey.”

With the podcast wrapped, attention turned to the Blue Wake Awards. Presented by Toby Moore and Water Revolution Foundation executive director Leah Werner, the awards celebrated six winners whose credible, high-impact innovations are helping to drive more sustainable practices across the industry. Each took home the distinctive Blue Wake trophy in recognition of their work.

The morning concluded with a conversation between Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship director and CEO of Royal Van Lent Shipyard, and BOAT’s managing director Stewart Campbell, on the state of the superyacht market in 2026. Against a more uncertain economic and geopolitical backdrop, they looked ahead to the year to come, considering the forces that could shape the market and where opportunities may emerge. Innovation and sustainability were also central to the discussion, with Verkuyl highlighting the role of owners in pushing the industry forward.

“When it comes to innovation and sustainability, we like the push and the challenge, and we like to try to make the industry or the yachts better, or at least the footprints smaller,” said Verkuyl. “Luckily, there is always one owner in the fleet being built that wants to push the envelope.”

Jamie Edmiston, chief executive of Edmiston, brought the day to a close with a series of entertaining anecdotes about how the show has changed over the years, alongside his observations on the current market.

For Edmiston, one of the most striking developments is the strength of demand at the very top end of the market. “We’re living in an unprecedented period. The demand for very large yachts is huge,” he said. “I get phone calls three or four times a week from people saying, ‘Do I know anything that’s available over 100 metres?’ We’re also seeing the pricing of these yachts getting bigger.”

Thursday: CEO mission statements, sustainability and craftsmanship and the brokerage and charter market revealed

Day two of BOAT Radio brought together some of the industry’s most influential voices to explore how the superyacht market is changing – from shifting buyer expectations and sustainability to supply chains, branding and brokerage.

New Ferretti Group CEO Stassi Anastassov shared his early thinking on the group’s iconic brands, his approach to reaching a new generation of wealthy buyers and the importance of giving each marque a clear identity. “What should Riva own in the market? What should Pershing own? Itama? Ferretti? Custom Line and CRN?” he asked. “When I say ‘own’, I mean something that nobody should ever be able to challenge this brand on.”

Azimut|Benetti Group CEO Marco Valle then offered a candid view of the pressures facing manufacturers, from rising costs and inflation to supply chains and geopolitical uncertainty. “Inflation is going up, the cost of materials is going up, but if you lock in a price right now without any kind of protection, your margin will be dramatically reduced. And a company without a proper margin cannot survive…” he said. “ So what I ask is that everybody be cautious. There is no rush to close a deal right now at any cost.”

Elsewhere, F/YACHTING’s Jöel Chalk and Water Revolution Foundation’s Aino Grapin and Leah Werner explored how innovation can reshape the industry – from new materials and technologies to measuring environmental impact and supporting ocean regeneration.

Rounding out the day, IYC chief executive Raphael Sauleau offered a reality check on brokerage: “You have more boats for sale today than you have buyers, so there's a choice. But one thing is important: if you want to sell your boat today, you have to price it properly. The right price, the right boat, we find somebody. The wrong price, the right boat, is going to take a lot of time [to sell].”

Friday: Building giants, ice adventures, stealth wealth – and what makes a great yacht

Day three of BOAT Radio explored the ideas, people and innovations shaping the next generation of superyachting, from record-breaking builds and new approaches to design to changing expectations around luxury, exploration and ownership. 

Two of the biggest launches at this year’s show provided a fitting starting point, with Lürssen senior sales director Michael Breman and Oceanco director of strategic alliances Paris Baloumis discussing the stories behind the 102-metre Nixie and 111-metre Leviathan.

Their conversation offered an insight into the realities of building at this scale, from collaboration and market pressures to the importance of bringing the crew into the process. “Our focus was how do you create the best experience for an owner and the crew who actually live and work on board… you cannot treat the crew as an afterthought,” said Baloumis. "The big challenge was making sure that you include the crew in the decision-making process during the build.”

Breman also pointed to some of the trends emerging in the world of large yachts, from the growing influence of urban lifestyles and wellness to a desire for yachts that can offer greater flexibility and self-sufficiency. “There are things creeping into yachts that come from an urban lifestyle – everything health-related, from spas and gyms to cryosaunas and facilities focused on longevity. We’re also increasingly discussing how long you can stay on board. We call it the ‘Armageddon scenario’: ‘How does the yacht suit me, and how can I use it if something unforeseen happens?’”

Designer Espen Øino then challenged the industry to look beyond striking lines and spectacular interiors when judging a yacht. Ultimately, he believes the best yachts come from listening rather than imposing a style: “We don’t try to impose a style, we try to get inside the client’s skin and understand what he’s looking for and come up with something which is unique to him and which also works.”

At Sanlorenzo, CMO Renato Bisignani explored how luxury itself is evolving, from the rise of “stealth wealth” to a greater emphasis on private experiences and time with loved ones. “It is less about being ostentatious and more about owning something that enables you to enjoy an experience with your loved ones,” he said.

Exploration and sustainability also took centre stage. Captain and explorer Sophie Galvagnon shared the story behind building Captain Arctic, her 70-metre eco explorer inspired by years spent in polar waters and now with Pelorus as central agent. “I discovered the ice for the very first time in Antarctica in 2008… I was starting to feel a bit guilty with the challenge we’re facing with climate change, and I wanted to put my expertise to try to invent something that was more in harmony with those areas.”

Elsewhere, designer Bill Tripp and Kora Yachts CEO Konstantin Kobale offered two very different perspectives on sailing, design and the experiences that draw people to the water – from Tripp’s imagined desert-island escape yacht to Kobale’s vision for a younger generation of owners seeking more active, adventurous ways to enjoy life afloat.

Saturday: Sustainability, SEA Index and a BOAT International team wrap-up

Transparency and accountability were also high on the agenda, with a conversation about the SEA Index® and its role in helping yacht owners better understand and improve the environmental performance of their yachts.

Developed by the Yacht Club de Monaco and independently verified by Lloyd’s Register, SEA Index is an independent data-driven benchmark that measures the CO₂ intensity of a yacht’s propulsion and auxiliary energy systems. The methodology is aligned with the International Maritime Organisation, and an additional Air Quality Certification assesses key pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).

For Natalie Quévert, General Secretary of SEA Index – Superyacht Eco Association, SEA Index's value goes far beyond the numbers. “We think it’s important to demystify what yachting is about to the outside world. These are beautiful vessels, but there’s a whole industry behind them – the people who work on these vessels, the people producing these magnificent designs, and the technology that goes into them,” she said. “We wanted to give it clout and grounding, [and] we’re trying to mitigate what we’re doing while also putting it into the spotlight.” The discussion also brought a perspective from the owner of 52-metre Oras, and their story of adopting the benchmarking.

And finally, the BOAT International editorial team took to the stage to round up the biggest stories of the Monaco Yacht Show 2026. From significant launches and debuts to the market trends and business developments making headlines, the team reflected on the yachts, people and conversations that defined this year’s show – before the final horns sounded and it was time to say goodbye to Monaco until next year.