As one of the oldest luxury shipyards in the world, Benetti produces yachts with the timeless grace that only years of experience can produce. Established in 1873 by Lorenzo Benetti, the Italian ship building company has continued to produce quality yachts against the odds. The company survived two world wars and financial difficulty to accomplish over a century of trading, nearly 300 quality boats built and an impeccable reputation in the industry.
The Benetti Philosophy
Style, quality and innovation are three qualities obvious in every ship constructed by the Italian shipyard (for other Italian shipbuilders, see Codecasa). The company believes in diversifying methods and materials to accommodate changing times, and started seeing the merit of using composite materials as early as the 60s. With passionate attention to detail Benetti produces tailor-made yachts that embody every customer’s idea of what a yacht should be like.
Facilities
• Viareggio
There are two production areas located at the company’s headquarters in Viareggio. This is where Benetti has been operating from since 1873. Named Darsena Italia and Darsena Lucca, the facilities boast state-of-the-art technology and can accommodate yachts between 93 and 145 feet in size. Darsena Italia has a dry dock and Darsena Lucca is capable of housing three yachts at the same time.
• Fano
In 2002 the Fano boatyard became part of Benetti through a merger between Benetti and Cantieri Moschini. The boatyard is renowned for excellence in moulding and lamination of composite yachts.
• Livorno
In 2004 Benetti purchased a large boatyard in Livorno and converted it into yet another Benetti production facility, with space for 12 mega yachts. The boatyard features a private dock and is known for its superyacht repair services, and as a top refit centre in the Mediterranean.
“Cantiere Orlando – Benetti, Livorno” by Lucarelli
Exceptional Yachts
Benetti has built yachts for several high-profile buyers, like the Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi who bought an 85×65 meter superyacht called Nabila in 1980. The Nabila featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, and also inspired a song called Khashoggi’s Ship by the rock band Queen. The ship was then sold to the Sultan of Brunei, who in turn sold it to Donald Trump, who named her Trump Princess before selling the yacht to its current owner – the Saudi business magnate Al-Waleed bin Talal. British retail giant Philip Green bought another beautiful superyacht called Lionheart from Benetti, and Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke is the proud owner of yet another Benetti yacht, the Reverie.
Awards Profile
Besides constructing superyachts for important international figures, Benetti has also won several awards including:
• 2014 – M/Y Lady Candy won Best Worldwide Custom Built Yacht at the Asia Pacific Boating Awards
• 2013 – Ocean Paradise won the RINA Green plus award
• 2013 – Benetti won the Yacht Capital Award
• 2009 – M/Y Xanadu was dubbed Best Charter Yacht by the Robb Report
• 2008 – Benetti 85′ was listed Best New Motor Yacht on Val Navtika
• 2007 – M/Y Ambrosia won Most Innovative Motor Yacht at the ShowBoats Awards
• 2006 – M/Y Galaxy won Best Full Displacement Motor Yacht Under 56m at the ShowBoats Awards
• 1999 – Benetti was given the Yacht Capital Award for building the megayacht with the highest DWT in the history of Italian boatbuilding
• 1998 – M/Y Stella Fiera won Best Full Displacement Motor Yacht Under 38m at the ShowBoats Awards
