Victoria International Marina

For the first time since ShowBoats International magazine has been keeping track, the number of megayacht projects on order has surpassed 1,000.

The 2009 Global Order Book, which is published in the magazine’s December/January issue, includes 1,019 power and sail yachts over 80 feet (24m) on order for the current year.

This reflects an increase of 11 percent over the number of projects on order in 2008, a slowing of the remarkable growth of 17.9 percent recorded over last year. Statistics were compiled from reports from over 120 builders worldwide.

The total length of all yachts reported in this year’s order book would extend for 24 miles (39 km) if lined up bow to stern. That’s nearly three miles longer than last year’s total.

With this year’s increases, the industry’s global order book has more than doubled since the last decline in 2003. That year, orders fell nearly 5 percent to 482 from 507 in 2002.

The majority of growth in the 2009 Global Order Book is in orders for yachts between 80 and 200 feet, with orders up over 10 percent from 2008. The magazine called that level of increase remarkable considerig markets for vessels under 80 feet showing declines. For example, U.S. recreational boating sales have shown a nearly 30 percent drop in the past three years, with more declines expected in 2009, the magazine reported.

The largest single-category increase in orders was 16 percent for yachts 150 to 199 feet. The 80- to 99-foot segment saw an almost 10 percent increase and the 100- to 119-foot group saw orders grow 6 percent.

Italy once again tops the list of countries with the most new yachts on order with 523. Although No. 2 on the list of countries, yachts built in the United States paled in comparison with just 113 orders.

The average length of vessels built in the United States were larger than those in Italy by about 15 feet (130 feet compared with 116).

Although Germany finished fourth in number of projects (32), it had the largest average project length at 270 feet, a bit smaller than last year’s first-place finish at 294-foot average.

The Netherlands placed third on the countries list with 77 projects, but second on the list of largest average project length at 174, a bit larger than last year’s 161 feet.

As for builders, Azimut-Benetti, Feretti Group and Rodriguez Group finished in the top three positions based on total length on order, the same order as last year.

Azimut-Benetti reports 13,030 total feet on order (3,972m) in 111 projects averaging 117 feet.

Feretti Group reports 10,148 total feet on order (3,093m) in 97 projects averaging 105 feet.

Rodriguez Group reports 7,211 total feet on order (2,198m) in 56 projects averaging 129 feet.

Lurssen and ThyssenKrupp/Blohm + Voss were tied for first with the largest average length of yachts on order at 287 feet, but Lurssen has more projects (16) for more feet (4,593) than ThyssenKrupp/Blohm + Voss (9 projects totaling 2,581 feet). They are the only two builders in the top 20 with average vessel size exceeding 200 feet.

Overall, though, the 60-meter-and-up category registered 88 units this year for 5,267 meters.

And the average length of yachts over 60m is 73m (just under 240 feet). Well over a third of the units reported are under 70 meters in length.

Amels, which did not break out information by project because of confidentiality agreements, was not included in this total. It reported 11 projects totaling 609 meters in length, giving it an average project length of 55.36 meters.

The largest single yacht on the 2009 Global Order Book is the same as it has been since 2006: Blohm + Voss’ Hull No. NB 978, reported by the shipyard to be in excess of 525 feet (160m). This yacht – that the magazine noted is rumored to be Project Eclipse in build for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at about $300 million – should launch in the next year or so.

"A few builders declined to release specific details about their order books, citing confidentiality agreements," the magazine reported. "However, virtually every builder of note provided some information, making this year’s accounting perhaps the most precise ever."

The Global Order Book was established in 1992 by the editors of ShowBoats International with the purpose of providing a body of data, compiled annually in a systematic fashion, to show the scope of economic activity within the international large luxury yacht community.

Each year, the magazine presents a list of yachts 80 feet (24.38m) and longer on order at shipyards throughout the world as of Sept. 1.

For a yacht to be included in the survey, it must be a signed contract and with a minimum 10 percent deposit received by the shipyard on or about Sept. 1; speculative construction may be listed, but only if actual construction, i.e. cutting metal, hull lay-up or tooling manufacture, is started by or about Sept. 1, 2008.

Victoria BC: Guy Scott and Robert Evans of  Community Marine Concepts LP, a division of WAM Development Group, are pleased to announce the appointment of Lachlan MacLean to the position of General Manager of Marina Operations. MacLean will take a lead role in the development of the Victoria International Marina, slated to begin operations in 2009.

The Marina will be situated in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the crown jewel of the island proclaimed as “Top North American Island 2007” by Conde Naste Traveller and ‘Best Island in Continental US and Canada ‘07” by Travel and Leisure Magazine, accolades which are attracting greater numbers of large boats every year.

MacLean, who recently returned to Canada from Australia, brings a wealth of experience to the project, having held the position of CEO with Australia’s largest marina group, d’Albora Marinas. In addition to directing 7 marinas with 1400 berths, he led the team responsible for the creation of the Victoria Harbour Marina in the Docklands District of downtown Melbourne.

“It would be naïve to say if you build it they will come,” said MacLean. “You have to build in the right place at the right time and that time for Victoria has arrived. We have one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, people want to travel our waters and once the accommodation is in place, more and more will.”

An international tourism destination, the city of Victoria, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, will be home to the marina. Nestled in the downtown harbour, the Victoria International Marina will open in 2009 and will accommodate large yachts (between 20 and 42 metres) in 50 slips and provide full yacht services.

For more information contact Lachlan MacLean at lmaclean@victoriainternationalmarina.ca,  phone 604 737 7380