The persisting trend towards larger yachts over 70 m is the driving force behind a
number of international yard expansion projects. While purpose-built sites in Asia and Middle-East evolve, European builders also enhance their yards. By David Robinson
As the global superyacht industry still strives to recover some of its previous prosperity, it is perhaps ironic that there[ds_preview] are more superyachts of 100 m or more on order than ever before. It is also timely as the world’s largest superyacht, 180 m »Azzam«, is due to be delivered in autumn by Lürssen in Germany. It will depose Roman Abramovich’s »Eclipse«, a mere 162.5 m in length, from the top spot.
The present operational fleet of 100 m and above numbers 28 yachts comprising the following breakdown:
In respect of new orders there are 15, including the »Azzam«, that are known to in build or on order and significantly four of these are for sailing yachts. The delivery of the 15 vessels extends from this year through to 2018. The list of orders is as given in the table below. This group of orders reflects a general trend in the superyacht market that sees more larger yachts over 70 m are being ordered and this development has, and continues, to be the driving force behind a number of superyacht yard projects including both new facilities and expansions.
New big player from China
The latest of these comes from China, a growing superyacht market that is attracting increasing attention from superyacht builders and brokers.
As part of a full takeover by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) of the Yantai-Raffles Shipyard in northern China, CIMC also took over the Raffles Yacht operation which recently has been rebranded as Pryde Yachts. Its future plans could include the development of a purpose-built yard for constructing superyachts between 80 and 200 m. This is due to pressure on space in Yantai. Currently Pryde is building the 88.8 m »Illusion« which at 3.600 gt is the largest yacht by volume yet constructed in China. It is set to be delivered early in 2015.
Middle East–Dutch connection
A recent development of a new yard in the Middle East involves the Damen Group which is the parent company of Amels, the leading Dutch superyacht builder. Damen is in a joint venture with Nakilat, a Qatar gas company: Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ) was founded in 2010 and is located at Ras Laffen.
In respect of superyachts, NDSQ has established a dedicated yacht division which earlier this year won its first new-build contract for a 69 m Amels Sea Axe design support yacht which is being build for a Qatari client. The division has purpose-built facilities including two construction halls of 180 x 37.5 x 45 m and one of 180 x 32.5 x35 m. In addition to its first new-build contract NDSQ has also performed a number of refits on yachts up to 55 m long.
The Middle East–Dutch link is repeated in Europe where Oceanco was bought in 2010 by Omani entrepreneur Mohammed Al Barwani. Oceanco is engaged in probably the largest yard expansion project in Europe. With two 100 m plus contracts on its orderbook, including the largest superyacht ever ordered in the Netherlands, Oceanco is clearly staking its claim to a share
of this top-end market. To underpin that claim it is investing in a new multi-million Euro yacht building facility which will allow craft up to 140 m to be constructed. The key part of the facility will be a covered dry dock on which building work started in March this year. It is due to be completed by the end of 2014.
The new state-of-the-art building and dry dock, handsomely architected of concrete, heavily insulated with integrated thermal and cooling systems, has undergone rigorous research and development and will be extremely safe and secure. The shed and dry dock have been designed to be virtually impervious to outside weather and ground water temperatures. The dry dock can be divided in several compartments by using segmented doors. A 100 t capacity crane, configured 2 x 2 x 25 t, with tandem beams will assist. Additional cranes outside the
assembly hall needed to lift major components and sections from a barge will be extendable to 20 m. The supplementary sec-
tional doors will enable the barge to float inside the building.
Projects in the UK
Two of UK’s superyacht builders, Princess Yachts International and Pendennis Shipyard, are both involved in yard developments directly related to dealing with larger yachts. Since 2009 Princess Yachts has acquired a long-term lease for a 15 acre waterfront site as a base to develop its »M Class« range of superyachts currently including 32, 35 and 40 m sizes. The site in the South Yard area of the Devonport Naval Base includes a new hangar as part of the development. In 2011 the company won financial backing from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to support the investment in the site. The money that Princess has been granted will be used to help build an outstanding shipyard and will help create and safeguard over 1,000 jobs.
The South Yard site has been fully operational since mid-2012 and has already witnessed the launch of two new models. Both launches have received wide acclaim and have given Princess a strong start in the superyacht industry. A further 35 mill. £ has been earmarked to be invested into the site to continue development of the »M Class« range. The yard allows yachts of up to 60 m or more to be built.
Pendennis’ multi-million expansion
As one of UK’s leading superyacht builders and refitters, Pendennis is investing in a multi-million expansion scheme at its Falmouth site in order to stay competitive and deal with larger yachts. Over its 25-year history this site has undergone many changes but its geography meant that yachts of up to 60 m could be handled. The current expansion project, set to be completed over the next two to three years, involves the replacement of the existing »White House« and »Main Shed« facilities with two 90 m and one 45 m seaward facing sheds. Additional trade workshops and crew office spaces are also part of the plan. Managing Director Mike Carr said: »These expansion plans will not only increase our project capacity, but has the potential to continue to grow and develop our workforce over the next three years.«
Following the lengthy planning and approval process, multi-million pound funding was secured through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence programme and the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growing Places Fund. Progress on the new buildings will be rapid, with the three sheds due to be finished by the end of 2013. Phase one of these new construction halls will be habitable by October, in time for the winter refit season this year. The additional project offices and crew hospitality suites are scheduled for completion for Spring 2014.
Constructing a new basin with a tidal gate, that allows yachts up to around 100 m to be berth, makes up a second phase for which funding is currently be sourced. Finance for the first phase included the ERDF Convergence investing 7.14 mill. £ into the project with Pendennis contributing 16.75 mill. £, including the Growing Places Fund, which makes a total of 23.89 mill. £.
David Robinson
