Lusben Adds 720t Travel Lift and Renews 180m Livorno Dock

Infrastructure investment across Italy’s refit network

Lusben, the refit division of Azimut|Benetti Group, is strengthening its infrastructure at Viareggio and Livorno as the business celebrates seventy years of operation. The company set out the work ahead of the autumn 2026 Cannes and Monaco yacht events, and the programme remains relevant as the Mediterranean fleet moves towards winter maintenance.

Founded in Viareggio in 1956, Lusben now operates a network comprising Viareggio, Livorno and Varazze. The company says the facilities work together to support routine maintenance as well as larger refit programmes in which specialised lifting, dry-docking and engineering resources are essential.

The investment is directed towards capacity rather than the announcement of a new yacht. For an owner preparing a winter refit, the practical considerations include the availability of a suitable haul-out slot, engineering personnel, covered working areas and reliable management of subcontractors.

A 720-tonne lift for yachts up to 55 metres

One of the major changes at Viareggio is a new travel lift rated at 720 tonnes, intended to handle yachts of up to approximately 55 metres. This represents a notable lifting option for the yard as it works with larger private and commercial yachts requiring hull inspection or machinery access.

A lifting capacity is not equivalent to a guarantee that every yacht below the quoted length can be hauled. Actual suitability depends on displacement, beam, cradle geometry, lifting-point requirements and the vessel’s stability and structural design.

Before confirming a yard period, a captain should supply accurate weight data and drawings, including details of underwater appendages and equipment. Such planning is fundamental when a yacht’s full-load mass, ballast arrangement or stabiliser installation falls outside a typical handling profile.

Livorno’s floating dock serves the largest vessels

At Livorno, Lusben reports work on its 180-metre floating dock named Mediterraneo, supporting more complex projects involving vessels up to approximately 150 metres. The facility forms part of a larger refit hub with substantial waterside and hardstanding capacity.

Large-yacht dry-docking involves more than simply providing a basin long enough to accommodate a hull. Dock plans, support positions, propeller and shaft access, environmental containment and emergency procedures all need careful coordination before a vessel is taken out of the water.

The company also operates specialised infrastructure for sailing yachts, including an inspection pit that can accommodate deep keel configurations. Together, the facilities are intended to give project managers a broader selection of arrangements for different hull types and refit scopes.

Crew facilities are part of the expansion

Lusben has started work on a new dedicated crew lounge at Livorno, recognising that extensive yard periods can affect the captain and crew as much as the yacht. A refit may require personnel to remain aboard or nearby for weeks while normal accommodations, equipment and routines are disrupted.

For owners, well-organised crew spaces can support an efficient project by providing suitable areas for communication, documentation and rest during a demanding maintenance schedule. It should nevertheless be confirmed which facilities are available and how access is arranged before a vessel arrives.

The company also promotes a coordinated approach to commercial and technical assistance across its three Italian locations. Local support during a complicated refit can help resolve routine obstacles, although the quality of a project still depends on realistic specifications, change control and clear reporting.

Growing fleets continue to require more refit capacity

Lusben has linked the investment to the long-term growth of the operational superyacht fleet and the increasingly complex systems fitted to modern vessels. Greater technical sophistication may increase the value of planned maintenance rather than reduce it, particularly where propulsion, digital systems and high-power hotel loads interact.

For yacht managers, the current expansion highlights the importance of reserving suitable maintenance slots well in advance and preparing an agreed scope before the vessel enters the yard. Unexpected discoveries can still alter costs and scheduling even when sophisticated facilities are available.

The enhancements at Viareggio and Livorno improve the range of projects Lusben intends to handle, but they do not establish guaranteed booking availability for any particular date. Owners should obtain current capacities, quotations and contractual conditions directly from the shipyard.