Safe Harbor Marinas enters exclusive talks to acquire Monaco Marine

Safe Harbor Marinas has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire French shipyard network Monaco Marine, a move that would mark the American marina operator’s first entry into the European market.

The news was confirmed on 12 June 2025, via a statement made by Monaco Marine.

The transaction, if completed, would result in Safe Harbor acquiring 100 per cent of Monaco Marine SA’s share capital. The proposed deal remains subject to consultation with employee representatives and regulatory approvals.

Dallas-based Safe Harbor, which operates 139 marinas and shipyards across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, is the largest marina operator in North America. The company was acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners in April 2025 in an all-cash deal worth $5.65bn, following its earlier acquisition by Sun Communities in 2020 for $2.11bn.

Founded in 1995 by Michel Ducros and controlled by the Ducros family, Monaco Marine operates a network of nine shipyards positioned along the French Mediterranean coast, from Marseille to Monaco. Its flagship La Ciotat facility is capable of accommodating vessels up to 90 metres and is one of the few in the region equipped for very large yachts. Other sites include Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

“In a rapidly growing yachting market, Safe Harbor Marinas has expressed its intention to leverage the Monaco Marine network to develop its business in Europe, thanks to the synergies between the two groups,” reads the statement from Monaco Marine.

Further details are expected in the coming weeks.