The British Virgin Islands will be well-represented at the most prestigious superyacht event in the world, the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show (MYS), to be held from September 28 to October 1, 2016.

A delegation from BVI Finance, Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR) and the BVI Tourist Board will set sail for Monaco alongside five high profile private sector partners from the maritime, legal, banking and property sectors.

The yacht show will be attended by 34,000 participants from around the world including private yacht owners, future buyers of yachts and decision-makers from leading companies in the yachting and luxury sectors.

This joint approach between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the industry is in partnership with leading industry publication Superyachts.com, the Global Magazine for superyacht owners, as strategic partner for this event. The show will provide an opportunity to promote the BVI’s Category One status as well as raise awareness of the Territory, not only as a destination of choice for the luxury superyacht, villa rental and excursion sectors, but also for the opportunities for direct investment in BVI real estate and commercial enterprises.

The yacht show is also expected to be of significant interest to the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry. After attaining restricted Category One status within the Red Ensign Group in 2008, VISR now registers large yachts up to 3000 GT. 

The VISR has grown rapidlysince its relaunch in 2006, due in part to its membership of the Red Ensign Group of British Shipping Registries ensuring adherence to the latest international maritime laws and conventions and the highest technical, social and administrative standards.

With competitive registration and annual fees and access to a highly qualified registration and technical team, the shipping registry provides a natural extension to BVI’s leading financial services sector, which has over 30 years of experience helping businesses and individuals manage and invest their wealth both domestically and internationally through a legal system based on English common law.

The VISR attained unlimited Category One statusin September of 2015, and now accommodates yachts and ships of unlimited gross tonnage, providing a market leading proposition to superyacht owners and professional shipping investors across the globe. 

The BVI delegation will be located at stand QSE12, and will answer questions relating to the Territory’s offering of legal and fiduciary services in the context of shipping, real estate, banking, succession planning, and investment funds. They will also be updating attendees on the latest infrastructure developments in the territory including the upcoming launch of a new direct air link between Miami, Florida and the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport, set to commence later this year.

The launch is expected to significantly improve accessibility to BVI with a scheduled flight time of 2.5 hours, and further bolster the attractiveness of the Territory as both a tourist destination and leading international finance and ship registration centre.

Representing the BVI at the the Monaco Yacht Show are:

Mrs. Lorna Smith, O.B.E. Interim Executive Director, BVI Finance 

Captain Raman Bala, Director of Shipping at Virgin Islands Shipping Registry

Ms. Ginny Hawksley, Managing Consultant, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

The BVI industry representatives will include Harneys, VP Bank and YCCS.

To pre-book an appointment with the delegation please email bvishipping@bvifinance.vg

For more information on BVI Finance visit www.bvifinance.vg or follow BVI Finance on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.