MC-Zero appoints first European dealer ahead of Cannes debut

MC-Zero has appointed Vanguard Marine as its first European dealer. Based at the Golfe-Juan Vieux marina on the French Riviera, Vanguard Marine will handle sales and localised support for the MC-Zero tender range.

The appointment comes ahead of MC-Zero’s European showcase at the Cannes Yachting Festival, which takes place from 8-13 September 2026.

The MC-Zero 450 electric jet tender, which makes its debut at Cannes, has also been entered into the Cannes Boat Innovation Award.

MC-Zero is a joint venture between carbon-fibre racing-yacht builder McConaghy Yachts and New Zealand-based electric propulsion solution provider ZeroJet. The company produces tenders for superyacht support, use as primary tenders and day-boating. Its tenders use twin 30kW ZeroJet electric drives beneath a flat deck, while an external fender system replaces conventional inflatable tubes. The range also features a patented movable helm. MC-Zero says these features provide up to 40 per cent more usable deck volume than conventional RIBs.

‘Major milestone’

“Partnering with Vanguard Marine is a major milestone for MC-Zero as we scale up our European presence,” says Chris Baird, CEO of MC-Zero. “Joel Amor and the team at Vanguard Marine have an unmatched reputation in the South of France and represent some of the most prestigious brands in luxury yachting. Port Camille Rayon is the ideal operational hub for superyacht owners and captains across the Riviera to experience what happens when you combine elite racing-yacht boat building with cutting-edge electric jet propulsion.”

Joel Amor, CEO of Vanguard Marine, adds: “We are thrilled to bring MC-Zero to our clients in France. The superyacht sector is demanding cleaner, quieter, and more versatile tenders, but without compromising on luxury, speed, or safety. MC-Zero isn’t just an electrified boat – it’s a completely reimagined tender that solves long-standing frustrations for captains and guests alike.”

The MC-Zero 450 uses twin 48V electric jet propulsion, providing instant torque, quiet operation, zero-emission operation and built-in redundancy. Its hull is constructed from carbon fibre, with the design drawing on McConaghy’s 60 years of racing yacht construction experience.

The tender has a reconfigurable deck incorporating the movable helm, allowing the available space to be changed for guest transfers, water sports equipment or provisioning. Onboard features include high-discharge battery technology, push-button bow stairs, a stern swim platform and integrated charging capability.