Nicolai Yacht Consulting: We are the meeting point between the owner’s vision and the shipyard’s strategy

In the increasingly competitive landscape of international yachting, the value and success of a project are measured not only by its design or technology but by vision, expertise, and management capability — both in the preliminary phase and throughout the entire construction process. Within this framework, PressMare is dedicating extensive coverage to the professionals who support the industry: project managers, owners’ representatives, and consultants. These figures work across different shipyards, playing a growing strategic role in the industrial development of the sector.

Among these professionals, Nicolai Yacht Consulting & Project Management has rapidly emerged as one of the most complete and versatile partners in the superyacht world. Founded in 2017 by Nicola Nicolai and Serena BartoloniS.Omer, the company boasts a track record of over 120 superyacht projects — including previous experiences and assignments under its own name — for yachts ranging from 30 to over 90 metres.

Today, Nicolai Yacht Consulting stands out for its integrated approach that combines owners’ representation with strategic consulting for shipyards, brokers, and marine companies. The firm operates as a true insider within each project, offering a global perspective that encompasses design, engineering, production, budgeting, and communication — expertise built directly within leading Italian and international shipyards.

We met the founders to learn more about their working method and how a successful superyacht project is created — or transformed.

PressMare: Nicolai Yacht Consulting is synonymous with bespoke project management. What is your mission?

Nicola Nicolai: Our mission is to accompany the owner through every stage of the project — from the initial vision to delivery — covering design, engineering, construction, sea trials, and warranty. We provide full-scale management that protects the investment and ensures quality, timing, and budget compliance. But we go beyond that: we also assist shipyards and companies in product strategy, market analysis, and technical development.

Serena BartoloniS.Omer: Our added value lies exactly in this dual perspective. On one hand, we represent the owner, interpreting their desires and expectations. On the other, thanks to our industrial and marketing background, we help shipyards improve their offer, plan effectively, and optimise internal processes.

PressMare: How do you structure your work when starting a new build project?

Nicola Nicolai: Everything starts with listening. We translate the owner’s vision into a technical and stylistic brief, select the project team — designers, naval architects, legal and technical consultants — and coordinate concept development. We then analyse shipyard proposals, negotiate the contract, and manage the entire construction process, up to and beyond delivery, including warranty and maintenance support.

Serena BartoloniS.Omer: Each phase is managed with both method and sensitivity. We work to ensure that the owner can enjoy the process while we take care of every detail. And when we collaborate with shipyards, we bring a unique perspective: we know what the final client needs and how to turn that into a product.

PressMare: What services do you offer to shipyards and companies in the sector?

Serena BartoloniS.Omer: We provide strategic consulting for new product development, market and competitor analysis, portfolio mix definition, process optimisation, and temporary management. We help companies grow, diversify, and position themselves more effectively in the luxury yachting market.

Nicola Nicolai: Our approach is tailor-made. Every project is unique, and we treat it as a new challenge to win. Whether it’s a new build, a complex refit, or an industrial plan, we bring multidisciplinary expertise and a network of carefully selected professionals.

PressMare: In summary, what does Nicolai Yacht Consulting represent in the yachting world?

Nicola Nicolai: We are the bridge between the owner’s idea and its tangible realisation. We turn creative visions into operational solutions and support shipbuilders so that each phase unfolds at its best — with passion, experience, and foresight.

Serena BartoloniS.Omer: We are consultants, managers, interpreters, and facilitators. Above all, we are trusted partners for those who want to realise high-profile projects with clarity, competence, and a shared vision.

In a constantly evolving industry, the success of a project is not only measured by its outcome but by the ability to protect the owner’s interests while ensuring a smooth, structured path for the shipyard. The experience of Nicolai Yacht Consulting & Project Management demonstrates how the project manager can become a strategic interpreter of the process — combining creative vision with managerial discipline.

In this balance, transparency emerges as a core value: in dialogue between parties, in resource management, and in shared decision-making. It’s an approach that meets the evolving needs of high-end yachting, where trust and clarity are as essential as competence and method.

Text by Cristina Bernardini

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