May 17, 2019

The ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group outside the impressive Clock Building at the MB92 Barcelona shipyard

In early May, the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group were hosted by MB92 Barcelona, for the biennial meeting of the group. This marked the ten-year anniversary since the first meeting of group, which was also initiated in Barcelona. 

The ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group represents quality refit, repair and maintenance yards and aim to collectively improve quality within the group, follow professional working standards and meet specified environmental best practices. The group has produced documents such as the Code of Practice and the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Standard Framework Contract which aim to improve certainty in refits. 

The group was formed in 2008 at the ICOMIA AGM in Barcelona, with the goal to improve the quality of refits. Since then the member yards have worked collaboratively to maintain and improve quality within the group, follow professional working standards and meet specified environmental best practices; as well as acting as the voice of this segment of the industry. 

The group now includes 12 refit shipyards from across Europe and the USA. All members are subject to strict entry criteria, ensuring that only those with the highest professional standards can join. Member yards abide by the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group’s Code of Practice, which ensures that they continue to provide the best level of service. It includes mandatory requirements such as insurance, warranty, transparency, environmental practices, customer satisfaction and €10 million liability. 

The group was worked tirelessly over the last ten years to continually improve the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Standard Framework Contract, which is now an industry standard and frequently requested by clients. The ‘ICOMIA Contract’ is now synonymous with certainty in refit projects, and the seventh revision (due to be published this year) will give more assurance to the client than ever. 

Following a very productive meeting last week, Pepe García-Aubert, President & CEO of MB92 Group said: 

“We were honoured to host the 10-year anniversary meeting at our facilities, especially given that the first meeting was held in Barcelona. Being a member of ICOMIA and working together has helped improve the levels of professionalism and environmental standards within our industry, and gives our clients a determining factor when deciding where to carry out refit projects. We at MB92 look forward to working alongside ICOMIA and their members to continue to drive the industry forward for the next 10 years and beyond” 

Udo Kleinitz, ICOMIA Secretary General and Albert Willemsen, ICOMIA Environment Consultant (both far left) raise their glasses with ICOMIA Refit Group members in a toast led by Pepe García-Aubert, President of the MB92 Group 

MB92 were great hosts, providing the meeting room as well as organising a tour of the facilities and local area, and even provided a personalised cake to celebrate the anniversary of the group. 

For more information on the ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group visit www.superyacht-refit.com