Sunreef founder Francis Lapp on leveraging a dual footprint in Poland and the UAE
Francis Lapp, Sunreef Yachts Ahead of the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival, Francis Lapp, Sunreef Yachts’ founder and president, sat down with MIN to discuss the current operational headwinds and plans for the multihull builder moving into 2027.
Lapp founded the shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, re-envisioning multihull designs in 2003. Over two decades on, Sunreef’s portfolio now encompasses sailing, power and superyachts supported by dual production facilities in Poland and the UAE.
Operating through Middle East tensions
The catamaran builder celebrated the official inauguration of its new shipyard in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE, in 2024.
The facility serves as a key hub for the Ultima range of catamarans, while also producing models such as the Sunreef 60 NEXT.
Lapp says: “From a business perspective, expanding production into the UAE gives us a very strong geographical position and better access to key international markets, allowing us to operate more efficiently on a global scale.”
With the RAK facility serving as a pillar of the company’s planned growth trajectory, the geopolitical tensions in the region are being closely watched. But Lapp says the business remains well insulated.
“The conflict has not had a significant impact on our 2030 objectives or overall business performance in the region.
“Demand remains strong, and clients continue to place orders for yachts produced at our Middle East facilities. Of course, we are closely monitoring the situation as we are planning to make further large-scale investment decisions.”
If 2026 has provided a backdrop of supply chain squeezes and geopolitical tensions, Lapp says the business has focused on agility. “We have diversified our supply chain, strengthened partnerships with suppliers across different regions, and expanded local production capabilities to reduce dependence on any single market or logistics corridor.”
Recently, Sunreef has adapted its production and logistics strategy at the Ras Al Khaimah facility.
“So far, our supply chain and production operations in Ras Al Khaimah remain uninterrupted, and the business continues to operate smoothly,” he continues. “The main operational adjustment we have made has been changing the delivery port. Beyond that, our focus has been on remaining agile… and ensuring continuity across all key areas of the business.”
Growth amid global headwinds
The strategy includes a €30 million expansion programme across its two major production facilities. Despite the US-Iran conflict, the boatbuilder’s expansion plans remain unwavering.
“The expansion of our infrastructure in both Poland and the UAE is a very important part of the strategy. Our long-term vision requires not only investment in new technologies and product development, but also continuous growth of our production capabilities.
“In the UAE, our shipyard operations currently cover around 65,000 m² in Ras Al Khaimah Maritime City, plus an additional 15,000m² where we are now expanding stainless steel and woodwork shops. We currently employ around 1,300 people there, with plans to increase this number to approximately 2,000 by the end of the year.”
According to Lapp, Sunreef recruited more than 450 employees since the beginning of the US-Iran conflict.
In Poland, the company operates two shipyards with a combined area of around 125,000m² and is investing in a new 7200m² production hall dedicated to superyacht projects, slated for completion around October 2026.
“The Beyond 2030 roadmap is mainly focused on two directions,” explains Lapp.
“The development of the Ultima range and the expansion of energy-efficient superyachts. We are also working on a new sailing superyacht concept that is already at an advanced stage of development, although it is still too early to share more details.”
Shifting multihull perceptions
“When I built the first Sunreef catamaran, the luxury multihull market practically did not exist,” Lapp says.
“At that time, catamarans were mostly associated either with small sports boats or mass-produced recreational units of fairly basic quality. I still remember our first showcase at the Monaco Yacht Show – many people were reluctant even to step on board because they simply did not believe a catamaran could be a true luxury product.
“Today, the perception of multihulls has changed completely. Catamarans have become one of the strongest trends in the global yachting industry, appreciated for their space, comfort, stability and energy-efficiency.”
Harnessing star power
Sunreef has long taken a distinct marketing approach, by aligning with high-profile global ambassadors. The shipyard’s premium owner network includes an array of elite athletes and high-net-worth individuals, counting tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as F1 champions Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso among its fleet owners.
Lapp says these high-profile associations represent authentic client relationships rather than conventional commercial sponsorships.
“People often ask how we connect with personalities such as Rafael Nadal or Carlos Alcaraz, but in reality, they first came to Sunreef simply as clients looking for the right yacht for themselves,” he adds.
“What is particularly interesting is that many of them choose different generations of technologies within the Sunreef portfolio.
“Rafael Nadal selected a 80 Sunreef Power, Fernando Alonso later chose an electric 60 Sunreef Power Eco, Robert Lewandowski opted for a yacht from the NEXT range, and most recently Carlos Alcaraz selected the Ultima 88.
“Of course, visibility is an important aspect – working with world-famous athletes naturally brings significant attention to the brand.
But the impact goes much further than that. They also strongly support our sustainability narrative.
“When someone like Fernando Alonso chooses an electric Sunreef Eco yacht, it generates real interest around clean technologies and helps demonstrate that sustainability and luxury can successfully go hand in hand.”
Attracting monohull and superyacht owners
Sunreef’s latest push centres on the new Ultima range, a fleet of faster and more performance-oriented catamarans.
Aiming to offer the benefits of a monohull but with multihull space, Lapp explains the Ultima catamarans are a response to shifting market expectations.
“We identified a growing group of owners moving from monohulls to catamarans who still expected high performance, comfort and prestige.
“Another important direction for us is redefining the superyacht category. With projects such as the Sunreef 100 Eco or the Sunreef 43M Eco, we want to demonstrate that superyachts can combine luxury with energy efficiency and clean technologies.”
Market demand for electric and hybrid multihulls is inherently client driven, he says.
Lapp adds: “We see it directly in the growing number of orders for yachts equipped with electric propulsion systems, integrated solar panels and other energy-efficient solutions. What is particularly interesting is that this demand is becoming increasingly strong in the superyacht segment.
“We are now building larger electric catamarans with advanced photovoltaic integration, including projects such as the Sunreef 43M Eco – a 140ft sailing superyacht combining electric propulsion with next-generation solar technology.
“This type of project goes far beyond sustainability as a communication trend. It reflects a genuine shift in client expectations.”
As the brand moves towards 2030, Lapp believes the company is creating a balanced global footprint where each production site develops its own specialisation while remaining flexible enough to support the company’s long-term growth and innovation strategy.
This article was originally published in Marine Industry News magazine. Read more issues here.
