Spanish yards respond to superyacht scarcity
On a tour of the north western Spanish region of Galicia, organised by Marina Davila, SuperyachtNews.com discovers how yards are coping with a shortfall in superyacht orders.…
On a tour of the north western Spanish region of Galicia, organised by Marina Davila, SuperyachtNews.com was given an insight into both a problem and a solution that is recognisable across the industry.
In visits to Freire shipyard in Vigo, it was immediately apparent that a lack of superyacht contracts has been substituted by more bountiful commercial work.
Despite building Pegaso, one of the most notable superyacht launches of recent years, commercial director, Guillermo Freire admitted that further superyacht contracts are yet to be secured.
But the yard continues to build market-leading commercial vessels and has just secured a contract for a 110m schooner from the Indonesian navy and there is potential for a 94m luxury cruise liner, currently in negotiations. "Yachts remain a primary focus", said Freire, "and as my father said 'we have survived civil wars and two world wars so we will survive this.'"
Atollvic too is still trying to recoup the €1.9 million invested in expanding its facilities in 2006. But the yard, which includes a 3-month-old 70x15m shed is readying itself for a major 60m refit project. Although SuperyachtNews.com is unable to disclose the vessel's identity, its weight - over 1000 tonnes - has required the installation of extra support for the keel.
Offering further encouragement to the multi-purpose yard is the advancement of negotiations for the construction of 75m in-house design, Project Imperia.
In visits to Freire shipyard in Vigo, it was immediately apparent that a lack of superyacht contracts has been substituted by more bountiful commercial work.
Despite building Pegaso, one of the most notable superyacht launches of recent years, commercial director, Guillermo Freire admitted that further superyacht contracts are yet to be secured.
But the yard continues to build market-leading commercial vessels and has just secured a contract for a 110m schooner from the Indonesian navy and there is potential for a 94m luxury cruise liner, currently in negotiations. "Yachts remain a primary focus", said Freire, "and as my father said 'we have survived civil wars and two world wars so we will survive this.'"
Freire shipyard is actively on the hunt for the next Pegaso
Atollvic too is still trying to recoup the €1.9 million invested in expanding its facilities in 2006. But the yard, which includes a 3-month-old 70x15m shed is readying itself for a major 60m refit project. Although SuperyachtNews.com is unable to disclose the vessel's identity, its weight - over 1000 tonnes - has required the installation of extra support for the keel.
Atollvic's newly opened 75m shed is being prepared for a major refit
Offering further encouragement to the multi-purpose yard is the advancement of negotiations for the construction of 75m in-house design, Project Imperia.
Marina Davila can accommodate vessels up to 185m
Marina Davila's Joaquin Davila is confident reforms of Spain's matriculation tax will bring increased traffic to the marina
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