Australia

Tam Elder Design

Emma Dailey speaks with Antonio Palumbo, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a>, and Simon Zammit, Shipyard Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4297" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo Malta Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit Malta</a>, about their latest refit projects.Part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1757" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo Superyachts (Company)">Palumbo Group</a>, which was founded in 1967, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a> builds on their five decades of experience in engineering and ship-repair. Today, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a> operates seven shipyards in Malta, Marseille, Naples, Messina, Ancona, Savona and Rijeka with offices in Monaco.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349696/image/large-e07e38a8b920c6c478b671e2dc20f06d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349696">“Operating throughout the Mediterranean and with an established reputation in the industry, our clients turn to us for the most complex and challenging projects. Over the past few years, we have been entrusted with extensions, upgrades, major external and internal refits and full paint jobs,” shared Antonio Palumbo, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349682/image/large-375d0467978a34b0d6590fa30df5874d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349682" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Second refit for 75.5-metre&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/99" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wheels75.5m (247'8&quot;)Oceanco2008">Wheels</a>Delivered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> in 2008, the 75.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/99" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wheels75.5m (247'8&quot;)Oceanco2008">Wheels</a> boasts a steel hull, aluminium superstructure. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/98" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sam Sorgiovanni Designs P/L (Company)">Sam Sorgiovanni</a> penned both exterior and interior design, while her naval architecture is the work of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design</a>.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a> first worked on the five-deck superyacht in 2019 at its Marseille shipyard, undertaking an extensive interior refit, teak work, ventilation and pipeworks and repainting the superyacht’s tenders. In 2023, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/99" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wheels75.5m (247'8&quot;)Oceanco2008">Wheels</a> management selected <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5775" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo SY Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit</a> once again, for a four-month refit at its Maltese facility during the 2023-24 season.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349706/image/large-54587237afce8ab9632363aa00398d09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349706">“The main tasks involved full repainting of the superstructure, constructing a new sundeck structure and installing a completely new DPF filtration system on the main engines,” explained Simon Zammit, Shipyard Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4297" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo Malta Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit Malta</a>.&nbsp;“The sundeck work included a new sunroof, Jacuzzi and custom-built sunbathing furniture, all designed and fabricated in-house. The installation of DPF filters also brought a substantial reduction of emissions from the main engines highlighting how refit projects deliver a real contribution in terms of enhancing vessels’ sustainability.”Zammit described the project as particularly unique due to the scale of work on an already operational superyacht. “The reconfiguration of the sundeck, including the addition of the roof and Jacuzzi, was a standout element of the refit, and the transformation was remarkable,” he said. One significant challenge was ensuring no contamination occurred during the extensive aluminium modifications, GRP work, teak installation, all while carrying out an extended paint job. “Meticulous planning and a controlled environment allowed us to overcome this effectively,” Zammit added.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/348671/image/large-891e15b9a00161cf824cbbb5bf9878bf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/348671" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Refit of the 80.1-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11888" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="U-8180.1m (262'10&quot;)Damen Shipyards2022">U-81</a>Since her delivery by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> in 2022, the 80.1-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11888" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="U-8180.1m (262'10&quot;)Damen Shipyards2022">U-81</a> has undergone several refits and maintenance periods, with work carried out at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen</a>’s Amsterdam yard, Zwijnenburg Shipyard in South Holland, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5155" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navantia (Company)">Navantia</a> in Cartagena, Spain.&nbsp;Designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design &amp; Naval Architecture</a>, with exterior styling by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6833" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tam Elder Design (Company)">Tam Elder Design</a>,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11888" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="U-8180.1m (262'10&quot;)Damen Shipyards2022">U-81</a> features a steel hull and superstructure. Her most recent maintenance took place at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4297" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo Malta Refit (Company)">Palumbo SY Refit Malta</a> in Valletta, Malta, from August 2024 to January 2025.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349680/image/large-1d5e3c4c701f8b7a3bb2e27df949137e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349680">“The focus of this project was the installation of a new stabiliser system and hydraulic hatches on the main deck,” explained Zammit. “Our team meticulously planned and coordinated efforts across departments, including metal construction, piping, hydraulics, electrical cabling and painting.”Zammit highlighted the installation of the stabiliser system as a major innovation. “This large-scale installation showcased our in-house expertise and engineering capabilities. We utilised advanced technology to plan and control every phase, ensuring precision through simulations and real-time calculations.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349678/image/large-8c19bae8e3dc557e49bb6205f451338a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349678">The tight delivery timeline presented a challenge, particularly during the final 30 days of the project. “Five different technical teams worked simultaneously in the same location, requiring a precise schedule to ensure efficiency. Despite the complexities, we successfully completed the project on time,” Zammit shared.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349695/image/large-280358538df9861f69aeaa65b15fb71f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349695">Looking ahead“Great emphasis is placed on planning work in advance to achieve results that exceed owners’ expectations, including delivery times,” said Antonio Palumbo. He noted that conversions remain a significant trend in the refit industry. “Clients rely on us for complex conversions, as we have a strong background in this area. The growing demand for sustainable systems and innovative materials is also reshaping the approach to refit projects.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/349703/image/large-d8bffedff2e7dd4e4260445e4614f274.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/349703">Palumbo revealed that the shipyards’ schedule is already booked for the next two years. “We are delighted to share that we have numerous exciting projects underway and are currently discussing and planning even more,” he concluded.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/348644/image/large-8cfef2fa916e2ce404ddeefbd8c5f785.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/348644">This article was first published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper/newspaper-issue-52" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">issue 52 of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, available for download here.</a>