German Superyacht Conference: Crystal Jubilee in St Pauli

The world of superyachts will meet again in Hamburg on 26 February. As in previous years, the venue will be the Elbkuppel at the Hotel Hafen Hamburg, which offers the perfect setting for the event with its maritime ambience and view of the Lürssen docks. "The Elbkuppel is the perfect place for us to hold a conference for 150 participants," says BOOTE EXCLUSIV editor-in-chief Martin Hager. "In addition to the appropriate maritime ambience, the location also offers an ideal setting for the intensive networking for which the event is known and loved."

High-calibre speakers from the yacht industry and beyond

Thematic diversity is the key to the success of the conference, which traditionally takes place on the last Thursday in February. In recent years, numerous influential personalities have shared their knowledge and provided in-depth insights into their working methods and companies. Previous speakers have included managing directors and owners of major shipyards and brokerage houses such as Alberto Galassi, Luca Bassani and Jonathan Beckett, as well as respected designers from the industry, including Martin Francis, Carlo Nuvolari, Ken Freivokh, Bill Tripp, Bannenberg & Rowell and Jarrko Jämsen.

Versatile programme at the German Superyacht Conference

The upcoming edition also promises new perspectives from various areas of the yachting industry and beyond. A special highlight will be the presentation by Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche and Head of Design at Volkswagen AG. He will talk about brand positioning in the luxury segment and the search for the trend of the future - a topic that is also highly relevant in the world of superyachts.

Practical innovations and technical insights

Sascha Meinhardt, Project Manager at Quantum Stabilisers, is another speaker who will be addressing a practical topic. He knows all about seasickness and will explain how rolling and pitching movements can have a negative impact on the yachting experience. His presentation will shed light on both the medical background to the discomfort caused by strong ship movements and the technology that can help owners and their families to overcome the fear of this great evil. It is stabilisers that enable many owners to use their yacht as a floating home.

Discussion panel on the future of the German yacht industry

For the first time, there will be a panel discussion at the German Superyacht Conference. Lawyers Dr Tim Schommer and Dr Volker Lücke from Clyde & Co will moderate the panel, in which the German government's coordinator for the maritime industry Christoph Ploß, maritime security policy expert Irina Haesler, Lürssen Managing Director Dr Justus Reinke and Oldenburg Interior CEO Benjamin Bäker will discuss the future of the German yacht industry and bureaucratic hurdles.

Innovative concepts and electrification

Michael Jost, the former Chief Strategist of the Volkswagen Group, sees electromobility as a building block of the future. He founded the start-up eD-TEC with the motto "Electrify the Ocean" and calls on politicians to broaden their horizons: beyond a pure technological change to a comprehensive transformation. Hermen de Jong, Innovation Manager at Royal Huisman, is another expert talking about forward-looking developments. The representative of the Dutch shipyard, which is one of the global market leaders for large sailing yachts, will provide insights into the technically complex development of mega yachts and outline the future of floating superlatives.

German yacht industry in focus

Theodoros Fotiadis, a yacht designer, will be speaking at the conference. The Berlin-based designer founded Astra Nord, a new superyacht shipyard based in Stralsund, last year. In his presentation, he will explain what makes Germany the perfect refit location. Tanno Weeda, Head Designer at Feadship Studio De Voogt, will also be among the speakers. The Dutch studio is one of the most creative addresses for the construction and design of extraordinary yachts. Weeda will shed light on the processes involved in conceptualisation and the integration of innovative technical solutions.

The German Superyacht Conference 2026 is supported by the sponsors: Pantaenius, Oldenburg Interior, H+B Technics, Panoblu and Nounwithout whom the event would not be possible.

Registration is only possible online at superyacht-conference.com.

The fee is 485 euros/p.p. including catering. The number of participants is limited to 150 people.

Lectures 10.00 - 17.30 hrs

Networking 6.00 - 7.30 pm

Hotel Hafen Hamburg , Seewartenstraße 9 , 20459 Hamburg

HIer goes's to register for the German Superyacht Conference

Speaker

International speakers:

• Tanno Weeda: Head of Design Feadship Studio De Voogt
• Hermen de Jong: Innovation Manager Royal Huisman
• Michael Jost: Former chief strategist at VW, expert in electrification
• Theodoros Fotiadis: Yacht designer
• Michael Mauer: Head of Style Porsche, Head of Design Volkswagen AG
• Sascha Meinhardt: Project Manager Quantum Stabilisers

Discussion panel:

Dr Tim Schommer and Dr Volker Lücke/ Clyde & Co, moderators of the discussion panel on "The future of the German yacht industry"

Participants:

• Christoph Ploß: Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry
• Irina Haesler: Expert for Maritime Security Policy
• Dr Justus Reinke: Lürssen Managing Director
• Benjamin Bäker: Oldenburg Interior CEO