This year is set to be a period of unprecedented activity for the niche explorer sector of the superyacht market.
With 15 boats in the order books scheduled to hit the water by the end of 2015, according to The Superyacht Intelligence Agency, this represents a halcyon year for this thriving class of vessel, with double the number of explorers introduced to the superyacht fleet compared with last year.
Although rugged oceangoing boats have been around since the 1960s, their recent rise to prominence has been pronounced, and is perhaps typified by the emergence of Ancona-based shipyard Cantiere delle Marche. Established in 2010, the yard has already delivered 10 explorer yachts, with four currently in the process of being built.