Fiji’s Port Denarau Marina is embarking on significant enhancements to its superyacht facilities, initiating two major capital projects totaling $6 million. This expansion comes in response to the growing demand from the international yachting community, aiming to solidify the marina’s status as the premier superyacht destination in the South Pacific region.
The development plan includes a 203-meter extension of the superyacht jetty and extensive dredging operations to improve navigational access for vessels. This jetty extension will create seven new superyacht berths that can accommodate four vessels up to 75 meters and three vessels up to 40 meters in length. Upon completion, the marina’s private berthing capacity will rise to a total of 62 berths — including 27 for superyachts capable of hosting vessels larger than 24 meters and the largest berth designed for vessels up to 115 meters.
Cynthia Rasch, CEO of Port Denarau Marina, remarked on the significance of these projects, stating they are crucial to ensuring the marina can support the market’s growing needs while maintaining its commitment to customer satisfaction. The improvements also align with findings from the 2019 Fiji Yachting Survey, which identified Port Denarau Marina as the preferred port for 83% of visiting superyachts, largely due to its excellent services and provisioning capabilities.
The dredging operations will focus on deepening approach channels and turning basins to facilitate secure access for superyachts, commercial vessels, and recreational marine traffic. Additionally, the improvements are expected to enhance berth availability and accelerate vessel turnover, particularly during the peak cruising season.
The completion of these projects is projected before the start of the 2025 cruising season. Port Denarau Marina is committed to sustainable practices, having recently achieved Clean Marina certification, indicative of its dedication to environmental stewardship.
In their latest financial report, Port Denarau Marina demonstrated a resilient performance, reporting a net profit of $2,167,007, even amidst minor fluctuations in revenue due to seasonal variances in berthing activities. Looking forward, the management envisages a bright future, focusing on operational efficiency and strategic investments to ensure sustainable long-term growth.
These ambitious initiatives not only enhance the facilities at Port Denarau Marina but reinforce Fiji’s reputation in the global yachting community, promising an exciting future for marine tourism in the region.
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