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MB92 Group today announces the publication of its fifth report examining the major trends shaping the superyacht industry. Entitled The Intelligent Refit Era: How Digitalisation and AI Will Redefine the Future of Yacht Refit, the report explores how digitalisation is changing the way yachts are designed, operated and maintained; and the capabilities the industry will need to benefit from this transformation.

Its findings draw on MB92’s operational experience, research and interviews, a panel of specialists from yachting and other industries, and a survey of more than 70 stakeholders within the superyacht ecosystem, including captains, crew, owner and manager representatives, shipyards, designers and service providers.

From individual tools to connected intelligence

Although artificial intelligence is already being tested and used across the sector, the report concludes that the most significant change will not come from AI or any other technology in isolation.

Instead, the future will be shaped by “connected intelligence”: the integration of reliable data, compatible systems and skilled people throughout the yacht lifecycle.
Digital twins and predictive-maintenance tools can help anticipate technical problems, reduce downtime and improve lifecycle planning. Enhanced connectivity is also expanding the use of remote technical support, training and digital services, creating new opportunities for yacht management and the owner experience.

Data, skills and trust will determine progress

The report identifies data quality, interoperability, organisational readiness and cultural adoption as some of the principal barriers to digital transformation.

Superyachts are highly customised environments, often combining legacy equipment and systems supplied by multiple specialist companies. This can leave operational information fragmented and make it difficult to introduce new platforms or scale the use of AI.

Technology will only create value if the underlying data is reliable and the people using it understand and trust the tools. The report therefore advocates “smart assistance”: using technology to organise information, improve diagnostics and automate repetitive work while keeping experienced professionals responsible for judgement, creativity and accountability.

Digitalisation will also change the capabilities required on board and ashore. Traditional expertise in navigation, engineering, maintenance and project management will increasingly be complemented by skills in data, cybersecurity, advanced diagnostics, systems integration and human-machine collaboration.

According to the survey, maintenance tracking is the leading future onboard use for digital technology, cited by 64.3% of respondents. Reporting to owners and management follows at 54.8%, with route planning cited by 35.7%.

Cybersecurity and privacy will become increasingly important as navigation, communications, entertainment, maintenance and energy-management systems become more connected. The industry must preserve valuable technical histories while protecting personal and commercially sensitive data throughout the yacht lifecycle.

Better data can also make environmental performance more measurable by improving the monitoring of energy use, emissions and lifecycle impact.

Improving the refit experience for clients

MB92 has increased its investment in digitalisation to make complex refit projects more transparent, efficient and easier for clients to follow. The Bridge by MB92, the Group’s proprietary client platform, brings project information and communications together in one place, giving clients real-time visibility throughout the refit process and faster access to the information they need.

Since the platform was launched in 2023, 484 projects have been managed through The Bridge with clients very satisfied with the experience. In 2025, 6% of the Group’s total investment was allocated to IT and digitalisation, while MB92 delivered 246 refit, repair and maintenance projects worldwide.

Ben Mennem, CEO of MB92 Group, concluded: “The real challenge now is not simply whether the technology exists, but whether our industry can create the conditions for it to work effectively. Intelligent systems depend on reliable, connected data, yet yachting is an industry built on discretion, confidentiality and a natural reluctance to share information. As we enter the era of intelligent refit, we need to find ways to collaborate and learn from data without compromising client trust, cybersecurity or the competitive position of individual businesses. If we can achieve that balance, while keeping human judgement and accountability firmly in place, connected technologies have the potential to revolutionise the superyacht industry.“

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE