International Marine Management (IMM) is happy to announce its acquisition of the Atlantic Refit Center in La Rochelle, France.

IMM, with its 130 in-house employees, and bases in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, and Grenada, is the largest task force servicing the yachting industry in the Caribbean. From June 1 2026, IMM will expand its operations to include the Atlantic Refit Center in La Rochelle, France. This uniquely positioned shipyard facility is dedicated for refit and repair of superyachts up to 150 metres in length.

This union brings together ARC’s top-tier facility with IMM’s refit expertise and experience. Strategically located in La Rochelle, ARC benefits from direct, 24/7 access through the only deep-sea port on the French Atlantic coast. With 11 metres of draft and a fully secured ISPS-compliant area, ARC features two dry docks (176m and 107m), a 250-ton travel lift, cranes up to 150 tons, 300 metres of afloat repair docks, and 2,000 m² of hard-standing space, providing the infrastructure required for complex, large-scale refit and conversion projects.

The Atlantic Refit Center, with 20 years of experience, has proven its capabilities through several standout projects, including the acclaimed conversion of the 71m M/Y Enigma XK, which was recognised at the World Superyacht Awards as “Best Refit of the Year” for its exceptional transformation into a high-performance expedition yacht.

“Returning to Europe is a defining step for IMM,” says Norina Edelman, CEO of IMM. Marrying the strength of ARC’s existing infrastructure with IMM’s spirit and values will create a unique client experience in terms of flexibility, quality and transparency. We are excited to operate a European shipyard that will allow us to give every client a bespoke experience.”

IMM’s Founder and COO, Fabrice Maitre, brings over four decades of experience in yacht refit and repair, having handled significant refits on well-known yachts such as MY Octopus, MY Skat, MY Kogo and many others.  With the major refit of MY Tatoosh in La Rochelle in 2007, Fabrice kicked of yachting in the town to which he will now return.  

“In many ways, this expansion is a full-circle moment,” says Fabrice Maitre. “France is where my career began, and the Tatoosh refit in La Rochelle was a significant step in both my career and superyacht refit generally.  Establishing IMM’s presence here, with such a capable facility, allows us to bring our experience, standards, and approach back to a market we know deeply.”  

IMM’s Global Director, Víctor Pérez, adds: “The Atlantic Refit Center is a facility I know well, as several major refits have been carried out there in recent years. The two dry docks, together with the vast surrounding space, make the setup far more ‘tailor-made’ than other shipyards on the market. At ARC, the entire shipyard is prepared and optimized for each client and refit project. Having a rich network of local contractors, as well as easy connectivity to Central Europe makes ARC particularly attractive, especially for yachts over 5,000 tonnes, for whom haul-out options on the market are very limited, especially in shipyards specializing in superyacht refit.”

The experienced IMM team will oversee shipyard operations, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and to the highest quality, providing robust planning, transparent workflows, and strict quality control systems. Each project will be specifically tailored for the client, providing flexibility and choice.  Given the small number of projects at a time, IMM will offer a boutique experience to every vessel.    

Stephane Marcelli, Co-Founder and outgoing President of ARC, will remain involved in operations to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Marcelli states: “I am thrilled to see ARC passing into such capable hands. Norina & Fabrice share our commitment to a customized, flexible, and reliable approach to superyacht refit. Fabrice and IMM’s return to La Rochelle marks an exciting new chapter for the yard as a superyacht refit hub. The integration of ARC into the IMM group brings exactly the kind of expertise and momentum the French Atlantic superyacht sector needs to further strengthen its position internationally.”