DEN BOSCH – Moonen Yachts says it has booked a third yacht order in 2022. It is the 6th yacht in Moonen’s successful series of Martinique-branded superyachts designed by René van der Velden.
Moonen, the builder of yachts of 35 to 45m (115 to 148ft), is looking to expand capacity to build bigger and more efficiently.
“We have been looking for a while,” says Moonen Yachts Commercial Director Victor Caminada. “The search for more space reflects the owners’ eagerness to pursue a strategy of investing in Moonen Yachts.”
The owners are Matthew and Louise Baxter, an Australian couple that acquired Moonen Yachts in 2019 from a Mexican owner. Matthew Baxter is an Australian entrepreneur who, in 1972, founded A M Group of manufacturing companies.
Moonen Yachts is looking for more space in the central Dutch area where it is currently located to hang on to its 40-strong workforce.
The new yard has to provide better logistics, modern accommodations and room for the yard to build a little longer vessels, says Caminada.
Moonen has built more than 80 motor yachts in over 40 years. In 2019, its Brigadoon – a Martinique of 36m (118ft) – won a Neptune award at the World Superyacht Awards event.
Moonen is currently working on four yachts: three Martiniques and a Moonen-110. The latest Martinique order will force the yard to adapt the design slightly. For example, the swim platform will be shortened so the yacht can fit into the owners’ berth. This will reduce the overall length from 37.8 to 36.27m (124 to 120.7 ft) without losing a fully integrated hydraulic swim platform.
