The Palumbo Group was established in Naples in 1967 as a small refit workshop for commercial ships. Now, after three generations, it is the largest marine Group in the Central Med.
To date, the Group handles major refits work, full conversions of yachts and commercial vessels besides building superyachts. Including the original refit and conversion facility in Naples, the Group now counts a superyacht new construction facility in Naples, commercial and superyacht refit facilities in two other key locations in the Central Mediterranean: Messina in Sicily and Malta.
Having built a strong reputation on the commercial market, 40 years after its foundation, the Group started looking for new areas of expansion and decided to move into the highly competitive superyacht arena. In 2008 the Palumbo started the construction of its first superyacht under the Columbus Yachts brand in a new purpose-built facility in Naples. Following her presentation at the 2011 Monaco Yacht Show, MY Prima, a modern classic, was an immediate success.
The hallmark of the Columbus Yachts is concern for the environment in terms of construction materials equipment and performance in addition to giving clients excellent value for money. The Group’s 45 years of experience and know-how, the long-standing in-house workforce, comprehensive procurement practices and large network of top industry suppliers, position the Group as one of the most interesting new players in the superyacht market today.
Besides building superyachts, the Group also needed a foothold in the associated repair and refit market. And it needed facilities to provide after-sales services for its planned fleet. Accordingly, in 2010 the Palumbo Group reached an agreement with the Maltese government for the privatization of the main shipping facility in Malta and, in 2011, for the privatization of the nearby Malta Superyacht facility, two of the largest facilities in the Mediterranean.
The choice of Malta was driven by the size of the facilities, the strategic location of the island which is key for yachts sailing across the Mediterranean, the safe environment and yacht friendly legislation coupled with good banking services, admin and communications, plus the international role the island has always played in all things maritime. The warm and dry Maltese climate provides ideal working conditions even in the winter months. Malta Superyacht is located with the Grand Harbour of Malta, 15 minutes away from the International Airport and conveniently close to superyacht marinas and entertainment areas.
The Palumbo Group is justly proud of the streamlined, efficient facilities it has set up since it knows it can compete with the best technically while offering value for money and a warm personal welcome which large northern yards find it hard to compete with.
We look forward to sharing the yard’s current projects with you as well as a number of new concepts that we have been working on recently.
