Port Denarau Marina announces further berth expansion plans

Fiji’s leading superyacht facility, Port Denarau Marina, has reportedly announced further plans to expand its berthing offerings by the end of 2016, with nine new superyacht berths.

Already adding two 75m berths this year, there are now plans for nine more, comprising three of 35m, two of 65m and four of 85m. These will all be added to the existing Jetty C, as there is no space for a new jetty at the facility. Total Marine supplied the new berth pontoons.

Nigel Skeggs, managing director of Port Denarau Marina explained, “The investment in the new berths is around FJ$700,000 (US$340,000), but to utilise them all we need to dredge which we are hoping to do this year at a cost of FJ$950,000 (US$465,000).

“With the extension without dredging we have added an additional two 75m berths for this season. Once dredging is complete we will increase our capacity further. This will not add to the marina staff, but will make a huge difference to the economy. 

“Our average spend per superyacht is a little over FJ$300,000, meaning the economic benefits are exponential. In 2015 we had 54 superyachts visit Fiji. This year started a little slow, but we are looking at an extended season with pre-bookings through to the end of November, which is encouraging. So far we have had 23 superyachts visit, and we expect to have around 55 this year.”  

The marina’s major expansion, announced earlier this year, is still planned to go ahead, including a new 200-berth marina, shipyard and further marine facilities. 

Port Denarau Marina and Yacht Club recently hosted the Fiji – New Zealand South Pacific Superyachting Open Day to promote yachting in the South Pacific. Here, 26 New Zealand companies met with Fijian industry representatives, superyacht captains and owners to promote marine tourism within the region. 

For more information, visit Port Denarau Marina.