With the rapid growth in marina development and being home to three established world class marinas with two more underway, Phuket is well on the way to establishing itself as Asia's yachting capital.
Thailand's newest marina, the Royal Phuket Marina, is a US$150 million high-tech yachting and luxury community development owned by Bombay-born British tycoon Gulu Lalvani.
The marina has capacity to accommodate 350 vessels of up to 35 metres in length and includes 85 wet berths and hardstand storage for 120 boats with a 60-tonne travel lift.
The construction of the marinas second phase began in August, 2007, and is exclusively for the use of marina residents.
Another of Phuket's exclusive marina developments under construction is the Jumeirah Private Island Phuket.
This superyacht marina is being developed by the Jumeirah Group, a rapidly growing Dubai-based luxury international hospitality management company.
Jumeirah Private Island Phuket is scheduled for completion in 2009 and will cater for the members of the Jumeirah Private Island Yacht Club.
The marina will have 101 berths and will offer superyacht facilities with 24-hour deep water access, doubling the number of designated super yacht berths in Thailand.
The marina is situated less than 500 metres off Phuket Island, at the southern gateway of Phang-Nga Bay and will include facilities such as helicopter and/or ferry access to and from Phuket, fuel dock with pump out facility, yacht maintenance and repair services and individual berth technology connections.
This year, SEA Yachting Magazine reported the number of superyachts berthing in Phuket has increased from five, 10 years ago to 30 this past summer, with many staying on over the low season.
With the expectation of more superyachts berthing in Phuket, Thailand's marine industry will undoubtedly reap benefits from refit and repair services required by the yacht owners.
The rise of this industry in Thailand presents promising opportunities for New Zealand marine companies. |
