International Boat Industry - June-July 2018

72 JUNE–JULY 2018 | International Boat Industry http://www.ibi-plus.com

TECHNICAL

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT | SUPERYACHTS - WORLD REVIEW

IN SUPERYACHT TERMS, Africa is a

primarily a cruising area or a stopping-off

point for vessels going elsewhere such as

across the Atlantic. This continent of over

50 countries includes the mature market

of South Africa, other established

markets such as Egypt, Tunisia,

Morocco, the Canary Islands

and Senegal, and several

others in varying stages of

development.

Regarding superyacht

construction, by far the

leading yard is the Southern

Wind shipyard in Cape

Town, South Africa. As to refit

and repair facilities, there are a

number of facilities throughout

the continent that can provide a

variety of services for differing sizes

of yachts.

As to marina infrastructure, there is an

expanding range of facilities in countries

such as South Africa, the Canary Islands,

Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, and within this

group there are a number of berths catering

for superyachts but mostly at the smaller

end of the market.

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

EGYPT

MOROCCO

TUNISIA

CANARY ISLANDS

ANTARCTICA

AMERICAS/CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN

In parts of the Caribbean, recovery from

the hurricanes of 2017 is still underway

but much progress has been made. As

the second main cruising ground for

superyachts it offers a diverse range of

locations to visit and throughout most

of the region there is good marina

infrastructure to call on, plus the

provision and quality support services

as required.

The region’s refit capacity has

been expanded such as in Puerto

Rico, which is needed to cater for the

increased needs as the superyacht fleet

has grown. The Caribbean superyacht

market is well-established based on

core locations such as Antigua and the

Bahamas, to name just two.

MEXICO

Mexico is a popular cruising destination

for superyachts and offers a high-quality

marina infrastructure to go with it.

Alongside this there is repair and refit

capacity and good support services for

visiting yachts. The country also has

several superyacht owners among its

wealthier citizens.

USA

As well as being the biggest superyacht

market, it is also one of the best

publicised. The US as a superyacht market

delivers a complete range of services to

both the large domestic fleet and visiting

superyachts. While its superyacht build

sector has been reduced significantly over

recent years, this is compensated by a

growth in marinas and superyacht refit

and repair capacity – especially in Florida

with companies like the Lauderdale

Marine Center.

As to builders, those that are active

include Westport, Delta and Christensen.

Westport continues to build its series of

models comprising the Westport 112, 125,

140 and 164 with between 10 and 12 yachts

a year. It is also considering a larger model

of around 200ft. Delta completed a 63m

earlier this year and it has a 53m in build that

is due for completion by the end of 2018.

Christensen is working on two projects,

both of 50m, with one due to be completed

this year and one in 2019.

The superyacht industry is well covered

in the set of major shows held through the

year such as in Fort Lauderdale, Miami,

Palm Beach and Newport.

CANADA

US

CARIBBEAN

BRAZIL

BERMUDA

MEXICO

In the Americas, the US is the outstanding

superyacht market but others such as

Mexico, Canada and Brazil also have a

strong presence. As for the Caribbean,

it is the second largest cruising area for

superyachts as well as being the location

of a growing portfolio of marinas, refit and

repair yards and service providers.

BERMUDA

Sited 700 miles out in the Atlantic,

Bermuda is an island with ambitions to

grow its involvement in the superyacht

market. Following the America’s Cup held

there in 2017, it has gained a boost to these

ambitions which is set to be filled with

additional marina capacity and a growth in

service provision for visiting superyachts. It

is also a big centre for regattas and fishing

events.

BRAZIL

With the Amazon as an out-of-the-way

cruising location, and cities such as Rio

de Janiero, Brazil is a leading superyacht

market in South America. It has a number

of builders such as MCP, which last year

signed a deal with the Dutch design and

naval architecture company, Vripack, for

them to share in future projects. Brazil also

has a good marina infrastructure that offers

a limited number of superyacht berths.

CANADA

Canada is mostly a cruising destination for

superyachts, with Vancouver on the west

coast and various locations on the east

coast being popular.

CAPE VERDE & SENEGAL