10 CHINA
Demand for boats will increase berths
T
here are well over 100 marinas of various sizes in China and more than 4,000 leisure boats have
been registered, but it is anticipated that this number will have risen to 100,000 by 2020. For that figure to be achieved, it will be necessary for the country to move away from the development of high-end up- market marina clubs such as Nansha Marina within the Pearl River Delta region, which is a proud member of the China Yacht Club Association and The Yacht Harbour Association of the UK, from which it is has been awarded Five Gold Anchor status. As more of the population, particularly the younger generation, aspire to boat-ownership, there will need to be a corresponding increase in less
expensive marinas, public berths and launch sites with minimal facilities to reduce the financial cost of buying, maintaining and storing a craft. There is little doubt that, given
China’s economic performance, demand exists and was boosted when the country hosted the Olympic Games eight years ago. A yacht broker at Qingdao International Marina & Olympic Sailing Center has recalled that before the Games, there were just 20 boats moored at the marina and now that figure has risen tenfold. Currently, the province of
Guangdong has the most berths, followed by Zhejiang and Shandong. The key yachting centre of Hainan in the South of China is also of
major importance to the growth of mooring facilities. However, although new marinas and yachting-based infrastructure have expanded along China’s coast since 2008, the boating culture is still not so deeply established as in the West. Liu Dianfang, Chairman of Xiamen’s Yacht Industry Association, commented: “The whole industry looks promising, yet there is also a cultural difference in China in terms of yachting, so it will take time for Chinese culture to catch up”.
Status symbol For wealthy Chinese business magnates, the marine culture is also considered to be a business culture, because ownership of a yacht is seen as a symbol of wealth – one
that distinguishes billionaires from millionaires. The Haier, a Sunseeker 88 that
cost more than 50 million yuan, is based at Qingdao’s Olympic Sailing Center. It’s one of four yachts owned by Haier Group, a well-known consumer electronic and home appliance company with headquarters in the city. All of the company’s vessels are used as venues for business receptions. “Summer is a busy time. I have
to prepare receptions on The Haier every two or three days,” said Mu Bing, Director of the company’s yacht club. According to Hou Haiqing from
the Qingdao International Yachting Club, the marine culture is gaining greater recognition among a
First phase of development at Nansha Marina. MARINA ASIA-PACIFIC • AUGUST 2016
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