Construction has resumed at Moonen Shipyards just four months after work was stopped because of financial complications.
New build was paused this summer when Altos Hornos de Mexico – a steel plant in Mexico and a major shareholder in Moonen – pulled out of the build of new yacht Martinique because the global steel market collapsed. A suspension of payment was announced and work was halted.
In an official statement released today (November 20), Moonen announced it was making a strong recovery and construction of 30 metre yacht Matica from the Caribbean range has resumed. The yard also revealed it has received two new orders for refits.
“Moonen Shipyards has built many award-winning motoryachts over the decades but Saturday 14 November 2015 may well go down as one of the most pivotal moments in the yard’s distinguished history,” the statement reads. “As the hull and superstructure of the 30 metre motoryacht Matica were joined together, it symbolised the unity and determination to see the yard come out of its recent financial turmoil and regain its place as a leading exponent of premium quality yachts.“
The owner of Matica was hailed by Managing Director Emili Bilterijst as key in helping the yard overcome financial difficulty. Praising his desire to find a way in which the project could be continued, Bilterijst revealed his confidence has encouraged other clients to submit their superyachts for refits at the yard.
“We are very grateful to these three clients for their loyalty and proud that they have retained their trust in the people at this yard,” added Bilterijst. “Despite the difficult situation at the yard we have been able to keep our experienced workforce and the expertise they hold. This is vital to our future as it is people that make a yard, not the facilities. Clients can have complete confidence that Moonen is capable of building the first-class superyachts that have given the yard its excellent reputation.”
The hull of Martinique, the superyacht that was being financed by Altos Hornos de Mexico, is 90 per cent finished and Moonen is looking for a new buyer. “A new owner can still have major influence on the interior and have a phenomenal new motoryacht ready by the spring of 2017,” Bilterijst concluded.