Cantiere del Pardo’s strategy is already looking beyond the current slowdown phase in the yachting market. At the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, the Group confirmed a growth plan built on three pillars: industrial investments, product innovation, and the development of the relationship with its community. The goal is to continue strengthening the company’s industrial and commercial foundations in view of the opportunities of the coming years, keeping the three brands Pardo Yachts, Grand Soleil Yachts, and VanDutch Yachts at the center.
«Our approach is very simple: keep investing today to be ready to grow tomorrow,» explains MarcelloVeronesi, CEO of Cantiere del Pardo. «Since Oniverse Group joined the ownership of Cantiere del Pardo, we have maintained a clear long-term vision, allocating major resources to the development of our infrastructure, our products, and our people. The innovations we presented in Cannes are a concrete manifestation of this strategy.»
The Forlì facility expands production capacity
One of the most important investments concerns the strengthening of the industrial platform. By the end of 2026, the opening of the first phase of the new production plant in Forlì is planned, while the completion of the entire project will take place in 2027. The expansion will bring over 35,000 square meters of additional production area, creating new space intended to support the growth of the Group’s three brands.
The investment also has strategic value: Forlì will continue to represent the heart of Cantiere del Pardo’s industrial presence, while the increase in production capacity will allow for managing the future development of the ranges.
Marina di Ravenna becomes a new point of contact with owners
Along with industrial growth, spring 2027 will see the opening of the new Launching & Welcome Centre in Marina di Ravenna. The facility was created with a dual function: on the one hand, it will allow the direct launching of a significant number of sailing and motor boats; on the other hand, it will be conceived as a dedicated space for relationships with owners. The center will indeed allow visitors to discover and sea-trial various models from the three brands, transforming an operational facility into a true space dedicated to customer experience.
It is a significant evolution of the relationship between shipyard and customer: the delivery and launch point becomes a space in which to directly experience the features of the boats and consolidate the relationship with the brand.
Three world debuts for Cantiere del Pardo in Cannes
The other major pillar of the strategy naturally concerns the product. The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 represented a particularly important event for Cantiere del Pardo thanks to three world debuts: for Pardo Yachts, the new Pardo GT65, while for Grand Soleil Yachts, the notable innovations are two, the Grand Soleil Plus 80 and the Grand Soleil 60. Three different projects, but united by the Group’s desire to expand and strengthen the international positioning of its brands.
Pardo GT65: the new dimension of the GT range
The new Pardo GT65 carries forward the philosophy of the GT range, developed through the experience gained with the previous GT52 and GT75. The project was also born from listening directly to owners: over 70 owners of the range were involved to identify the most effective solutions in terms of layout, comfort, and quality of life on board. From this process came a precise design choice: to offer a single configuration, designed to efficiently utilize every available surface.
Particular attention was also paid to the transparency of the offer. A significant complement of essential equipment is provided as standard, while a selection of customization elements allows the owner to tailor the yacht to their needs.
At Cannes 2026, Pardo Yachts also presented for the first time in Europe the Pardo 43 Outboard, which further expands its lineup in the motorboat sector.
Grand Soleil Plus 80: the Plus line grows
For Grand Soleil Yachts, the most impressive debut is represented by the Grand Soleil Plus 80, a new evolution of the Plus line. The project stems from the desire to push the brand toward larger dimensions and higher levels of customization compared to the traditional range. The Plus philosophy was conceived as a sort of laboratory in which to experiment with design, materials, and technologies potentially destined to influence the rest of production as well.
The numbers from the early experiences confirm the validity of this path. Since the debut of the first 72-foot model in 2023, 15 boats have been delivered across eight countries. The new 80-foot model now opens a new phase. In the coming months, a second unit in a flush deck configuration will be completed, while further developments of the Plus line are already under study.
Grand Soleil 60, the bluewater vocation
Alongside the Plus 80, Grand Soleil Yachts also presented the new Grand Soleil 60 in Cannes, designed primarily for offshore sailing. The model interprets the concept of a bluewater yacht through a combination of the shipyard’s sporty DNA and a series of solutions designed for extended periods at sea.
Among the features included in the standard configuration are hydraulic systems for the vang and backstay, the furling jib, and electronic engine control at the helm station. Also important is the theme of autonomy, supported by tanks with a capacity of 1,000 liters for fuel and 1,000 liters for fresh water. A configuration that looks to offshore use and sailings where autonomy and system management play a central role, as we ascertained in our recent sea trial.
From yacht to community
Cantiere del Pardo’s strategy does not end with products and infrastructure. A third element concerns building a closer relationship with the owners of the different brands. In 2026, CdP Week debuted in Porto Cervo, a new format that joined the Grand Soleil Cup and the Pardo Rendez-Vous, involving several hundred participants overall.
The success of the first edition led to the confirmation of the event for next year. CdP Week will return to Porto Cervo from June 9 to 12, 2027, also thanks to the collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The community thus becomes an integral part of the Group’s strategy, through events that allow owners of the different brands to directly experience the Cantiere del Pardo world even outside the moment of purchase.
Cantiere del Pardo and Luna Rossa toward Naples 2027
Completing the picture of initiatives announced in Cannes is the confirmation of the partnership with Luna Rossa in view of the 38th America’s Cup, which will kick off in 2027. For the third consecutive edition, Cantiere del Pardo will support the Italian team, but with an evolution of the relationship: moving from the previous position of Official Supplier to that of Official Partner.
The collaboration is based on shared values of Italian excellence, research, performance, and innovation. The project will involve the entire ecosystem of Pardo Yachts, VanDutch Yachts, and Grand Soleil Yachts, with several boats accompanying Luna Rossa on the path to the Naples event, including operational activities and hospitality initiatives. The agreement thus adds a sporting and international dimension to Cantiere del Pardo’s strategy, linking the world of boat manufacturing to one of the most important events in world competitive sailing.
Conclusions
Three world debuts, a new production plant, a center dedicated to launches and customer experience, events for owners, and a partnership with Luna Rossa: the path outlined in Cannes returns the image of a Group that is using the current market phase to strengthen its foundations. The industrial expansion in Forlì aims to increase production capacity, while Marina di Ravenna will have the task of bringing the brands even closer to owners. On the product front, the Pardo GT65, Grand Soleil Plus 80, and Grand Soleil 60 cover different segments, simultaneously expanding the offering and international positioning. The direction is clear: consolidate infrastructure, skills, and relationships today to arrive prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow’s yachting.
Sources and references
Source | References |
|---|---|
Information on the Pardo Yachts range and the new models presented in Cannes. | |
Information on the Grand Soleil range and the new Plus 80 and Grand Soleil 60. | |
Official information on the boat show and the news presented in the 2026 edition. | |
Official information on the Luna Rossa team and the path toward the 38th America’s Cup. |
Cantiere del Pardo in Cannes 2026 – FAQ
What are the main new releases brought by Cantiere del Pardo to Cannes 2026?
The main world premieres are the Pardo GT65, the Grand Soleil Plus 80, and the Grand Soleil 60. Added to these is the European debut of the Pardo 43 Outboard.
How much will Cantiere del Pardo’s Forlì plant grow?
The new industrial project will bring over 35,000 square meters of additional production area and will be completed in 2027.
What is the Launching & Welcome Centre in Marina di Ravenna?
It is a new facility designed both for launching operations and for receiving owners, with the opportunity to discover and sea-trial models from the Cantiere del Pardo brands.
