Securing a new build when demand outweighs supply

30th January 2023
While many shipyards are reporting full order books, there are still new build opportunities flying under the radar. With her insider knowledge, Daniela Duck, new builds division coordinator at Camper & Nicholsons, can help prospective owners unlock the best options on the market.

Last year was another record-breaking year. Industry new build sales in 2022 were up 35% from an already impressive 2021, as 186 superyacht projects were signed off compared to 120 the previous year. In total, there are around 600 new build yachts currently under construction, with many shipyards nearing short-term capacity. Camper & Nicholsons remained a market leader. In the last 12 months, new projects have been delivered by and signed with Feadship, Baglietto and Mangusta, among others.

Considering new build inventory is low, what should a prospective owner do if he or she desires a new build? A first port of call should be Daniela Duck, new builds division coordinator at Camper & Nicholsons. Her team works with every top tier brand in the primary yacht building nations of Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Turkey and France, and has contacts at the 186 active shipyards located from Norway to Taiwan.

As Duck advises, many opportunities are flying under the radar. “A client would not see them on a generic website,” she asserts. “Last week I called into a yard in Genoa to see a 50m being built on spec for delivery in summer 2024.” Around half the new builds under construction “are being built in Italian shipyards from La Spezia to Livorno and across to Ancona,” continues Duck, who spent 14 years working at Perini Navi. The German-born new build head confirms that the larger, fully custom projects signed during 2022 will predominantly be built in northern European yards.

Despite the boom, Duck’s network of contacts enables her to source the perfect yacht for delivery within 24 months, “even though a lot of new build inventory has already been sold”. As the majority of new build projects take around three years from planning to launch, the market has a far larger stock available for delivery in 2025 and 2026. “So, if a client had a delivery time of three years,” explains Duck, “the offers and opportunity to customise that purchase are obviously greater.” 

Yachts currently available for delivery in 2024 include the Amels 60, which features an Espen Oeino exterior and capacious swim platform. Also on sale is the 57m Sanlorenzo 57, a steel-hulled superyacht with a vast owner's suite and its own private deck.

Available for delivery in 2023 is the Doge Line 400 GT, a brand new vessel with the looks and range of a tough explorer yacht. Also on sale for delivery in 2024 is the 57m Sanlorenzo 57, a steel-hulled superyacht with a vast owner's suite with its own private deck. For delivery in 2025, available new builds include the Amels 6007, which features an Espen Oeino exterior, hybrid propulsion and capacious swim platform.

All new build enquiries start with a discussion. The first questions are straightforward, says Duck. “Defining the primary usage, expected size, lead time, budget and cruising range will help better determine the type of yacht and shipyard.” Duck prefers to understand a client’s desires during an in-person meeting. “That said, Covid taught us that video calls are an excellent tool to reach a prospective client, be they a serial owner or recent guest, who might be based in Australia or South America.”

In case of a full custom project, after initial discussions, a concept design tender is drawn up between client and Camper & Nicholsons. “Our new build team is composed of naval engineers with extensive industry knowledge and a shipyard background,” explains Duck. “They understand yacht design, shipyard logic, construction methods and cost-effective management.”

The client is guided through the tender process, while a project management team reviews the technical documentation, construction schedule and contractual issues. “At the end of that process we have a refined shortlist of opportunities from a variety of shipyards to choose from,” says Duck, “together with prices and schedules.” Then the fun can really begin.

Clients are welcome to visit their new build project at any time. A round of drinks for the shipyard workers never goes amiss. The Camper & Nicholsons new build project management team oversee the ongoing process of construction milestones, outfitting, class and flag coding and sea trials. “Luckily I have an amazing team of technical consultants across Europe,” Duck continues. “That’s the Camper & Nicholsons way. We make an effective and collaborative on-site difference.”

In the final months of a new build project, Duck’s team works closely with the Camper & Nicholsons yacht management division. “This means sourcing the correct crew, registering with the chosen flag, performing the relevant accounting and, quite possibly, liaising with our charter marketing team too.” In other words, the time-consuming tasks necessary to a yacht’s operation. “The owner has the fun task of cracking the Champagne,” concludes Duck. “While they enjoy their launch, I enjoy starting my search for new yachts.”

Check out the yachts for sale under construction here.