Log of the Week — 22 August 2025: Marina News & Boat Shows

From major marina acquisitions and sustainability upgrades to the season’s marquee boat shows, this week is all about where we berth, how we’re welcomed, and what’s launching next. The Med keeps buzzing—networks are expanding, shore-power is getting cleaner, and events calendars are stacked. Below you’ll find 10 hand-picked updates (each more than a quick headline) plus official links so you can plan routes, book berths, and snag tickets with confidence.

1) Safe Harbor steps into the Med by acquiring Monaco Marine

The world’s largest marina network just planted a firm flag in the Mediterranean. Safe Harbor Marinas has acquired Monaco Marine—nine shipyard/marina locations concentrated along the fabled Côte d’Azur (think Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Monaco). For cruisers and superyacht crews, this means Safe Harbor’s US-honed service model will meet Monaco Marine’s deep refit/repair expertise at iconic ports where demand is sky-high. Expect smoother yard time, broader parts/support networks, and a bigger menu of member benefits as the integration rolls forward. If you’re routing a late-season haul-out or winter worklist in southern France, keep an eye on how the combined footprint coordinates scheduling between sites.

2) D-Marin rolls out a summer of cinema nights, wellness classes… and free nights for members

D-Marin is leaning into hospitality with a 2025 programme that mixes open-air cinema (Sanremo collaborations in Italy), crew parties, wellness sessions under the olives in Croatia, and end-of-season celebrations across Greece and France. The network is also re-upping “Happy Berth Days,” which grants annual berth-holders complimentary nights at sister marinas—handy for Med hop-abouts who like to mix coasts. If you cruise between the Adriatic and the Aegean, the calendar makes D-Marin stops feel less transactional and more like little festivals by the water. Check the events page before you move—there may be a film night or crew social waiting at your next stop.

3) IGY doubles down on greener superyacht berths in Málaga & Ibiza

IGY’s Spanish hubs are pushing the envelope on sustainable superyacht operations. In Málaga, upgraded electrical infrastructure (shore power up to very high loads) is designed so captains can shut down generators in port—cutting noise and emissions right in the heart of the city. Ibiza has likewise unveiled substantial facility enhancements and new shore-power interconnections, improving both guest experience and environmental performance. For visiting yachts, this means quieter nights, cleaner air on deck, and less wear on gensets. If you plan a Balearic swing, factor in these shore-power capabilities when estimating fuel and maintenance savings over a season.

4) UK: MDL completes £4.8m in upgrades across its network

Between autumn 2024 and spring 2025, MDL Marinas delivered a raft of infrastructure works across multiple UK sites—quay walls, pontoons, and essential services—worth £4.8 million. It’s the unglamorous but crucial stuff: better utilities at the pedestals, stronger pontoons, and more reliable shore-side amenities that make life easier for berth-holders and visitors alike. Combine that with seasonal haul-out/cleaning offers, and it’s clear MDL is investing to keep traffic—and satisfaction—high ahead of the busy show season. If you’re eyeing Southampton for September, these upgrades will be felt on the docks.

5) Aquavista keeps buying: three more marinas join the fold

Residential and inland-mooring specialist Aquavista has added three northwest England marinas—Fettlers Wharf, Furness Vale, and Marple—to its portfolio. Consolidation isn’t only a superyacht-coast story; inland networks are professionalising fast, bringing consistent standards, clearer service menus, and member benefits to narrowboat and coastal cross-over communities. For liveaboards who straddle canals and coast, a bigger, harmonised network can mean easier transfers and a more predictable berth-holder experience from site to site.

6) Blue Flag marinas: who’s flying it this season?

If you like to “vote with your keel,” Blue Flag is the simplest shorthand for environmental and service standards at a marina. For 2025, award lists across the Northern Hemisphere include new and returning marinas—and Greece again ranks among the global leaders, with hundreds of beaches and a strong cohort of certified marinas. Planning tip: when you plot a crossing, filter overnight options by Blue Flag—you’ll typically find better waste facilities, clearer environmental policies, and stronger safety protocols at the dock.

7) Boaters asked to vote: TYHA Marina Awards 2025 now open

The Yacht Harbour Association’s Gold Anchor scheme is the benchmark for marina quality in many regions, and voting for the 2025 awards is live. If a team saved your season—squeezed you in for a storm lay-by, found that impossible spare, or simply ran a spotless facility—this is your moment to say thanks and put them on the map. There’s also a category for Marina Employee of the Year. Recognition matters: winners often reinvest in facilities and training, and your vote helps set the bar for everyone.

Vote Here: TYHA Marina Awards 2025

8) Show calendar: Cannes Yachting Festival (9–14 Sept)

Europe’s biggest in-water show kicks off the autumn circuit on the Riviera, split between Vieux Port (power) and Port Canto (sail). Expect world premieres, a dense exhibitor list, and a growing sustainability brief—from eco-initiatives on site to the number of electric/Hybrid models alongside traditional builds. If you’re in the Med, it’s the most efficient place to compare gear and layouts in one walk. Tickets, hours, exhibitor rosters, and logistics are live on the official site—book ahead; Friday night tends to run late.

9) Genoa International Boat Show (18–23 Sept): Italy’s big stage

A week later, Genoa takes the baton—showcasing Italy’s powerhouse industry across the Levante Waterfront. The organisers launched a refreshed website and are positioning the 2025 edition as a broad cross-section of tech, design, and market trends, not just shiny hulls. For sailors, the location doubles as a practical stop: it’s easy to combine a visit with service appointments around Liguria. If you’re choosing between Cannes and Genoa, remember: Cannes is the “see everything at once” opener; Genoa is where Italian yards go deep and local networks are easiest to tap.

10) Monaco Yacht Show (24–27 Sept): premieres, programmes, and the big names

Monaco closes September with a superyacht-centric showcase at Port Hercule. The 2025 fleet targets around 120 yachts with a significant slice as world premieres, plus a curated sustainability track (Blue Wake™) and a formal VIP programme (Sapphire Experience). Even if you’re not yacht-shopping, Monaco is where trendlines—design, tech, tender toys, crew careers—become visible in one harbour. Book online (no physical box office), and if you’re anchoring off the show, plan tenders early—everyone else has the same idea.

Final thoughts

Taken together, this week tells a crisp story: marinas are investing in reliability and cleaner operations while show organisers are doubling down on access and sustainability. For cruisers, that means quieter generator-free nights at the dock, richer events calendars ashore, and a busy September for getting hands-on with the latest kit. If you’re plotting a late-summer loop, you could do far worse than a Riviera–Liguria–Monaco triangle with a few Blue Flag stopovers in between.