Pingsha Yacht Industrial Zone

The coastal town of Pingsha in Jinwan District first began developing its yacht building industry in 2002.

In the 15 years since, what was once a small domestic industry has grown to become China's oldest, largest, and highest-grade yacht manufacturing base. In 2008, Pingsha was designated the Guangdong (Yacht) Technological Innovation Professional Town.

With the assistance of the Zhuhai Municipal Government and persistent growth in the market, Pingsha is now home to 18 yacht manufacturers, 11 of which are overseas-owned. Sixteen of the 18 manufacturers have started operation while two others are under construction. Seven are large-scale enterprises with registered capital of over 20 million yuan ($2.94 million) each.

Over the years, Pingsha has continuously developed and improved its yacht-building industry and environment, attracting investment, projects, and rafts of government accreditations.

Pingsha Yacht Industrial Zone [Photo courtesy cnss.com.cn]

In 2011, Pingsha completed construction of the Guangdong Province Quality Supervision Yacht Material Testing Station, which was declared the Guangdong Transformation & Upgrading Demonstration Base in 2012.

In 2013, Pingsha was approved to establish the National Marine Engineering Equipment & Materials Center. Two years later, it was sanctioned by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) to launch the National Quality Supervising Test Center for Materials of Ship & Marine Engineering Equipment in Pingsha.

The center is currently the only professional domestic organization engaged in testing of materials for ship and marine engineering equipment.

Pingsha's yacht-building industry works hand in hand with the petrochemical industry, marine engineering equipment, port logistics, and other modern industries developed by the Gaolan Port Economic Zone.

Key enterprises

Zhuhai Sunbird Yacht Manufacturing Co Ltd

[Photo courtesy southcn.com]

Invested by Sunbird Yacht Co Ltd, Zhuhai Sunbird Yacht Manufacturing Co Ltd was established in the Pingsha Yacht Industrial Zone in 2003 and began operating in 2004. It designs, produces and sells steel-fiberglass yachts and high-grade commercial vessels. With more than 700 employees, it can produce over 300 yachts per year that are sold domestically and exported to Europe and North America.

As the vice president company of the China Rowing Association and member of the US National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Zhuhai Sunbird utilizes quality management system ISO9001, United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) certification, safety certification ISO 18000, and environment protection certification ISO14001. It was also designated a Hi-Tech Enterprise by the Guangdong Science & Technology Department in 2007.

The company has the largest coverage in the domestic yachting market. In September 2010, Sunbird became the industry's first to be listed on the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM). Aiming to further strengthen its ability of independent research and development, the company will launch three new design centers in Shanghai, Italy, and the US. In 2013, its output value was 554 million yuan ($81.5 million), with a year-on-year growth of 11 percent, and paid tax of 19.4 million yuan ($2.85 million).

Guangdong Jianglong Shipbuilding Co Ltd

[Photo courtesy jianglong.cn]

Guangdong Jianglong Shipbuilding Co Ltd is a private enterprise integrating scientific research, design, production, sales, and after-sales service of ships made with high-performance steel and fiberglass. The company currently has over 450 employees, of whom more than 80 hold Senior or Intermediate Engineers qualifications. In 2010, the company was awarded the title of Hi-Tech & Famous Brand Enterprise of Guangdong Province. In 2013, its output value was 512 million yuan ($75.33 million), with year-on-year growth of 121 percent and paid tax of 25.19 million yuan ($3.7 million).

Zhuhai McConaghy Boats Co Ltd

[Photo courtesy gdmsa.gov.cn] 

Zhuhai McConaghy Boats Co Ltd was the only designated supplier to the Elliott 6m competition for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The company produces sailboats and yachts along with accessories for use in international competitions. In 2013, McConaghy Boats made the world's largest luxury trimaran, Adastra, which won the Most Innovative Yacht prize at the 2013 World Superyacht Awards.

Heysea Yachts Co Ltd

[Photo courtesy heysea.com]

Heysea Yachts Co Ltd is the world's biggest manufacturer of medium- and large-scale yachts, taking a leading position in the 60+ ft luxury yacht market. Heysea is known as the yacht brand which has the largest inventory in China. In 2014, Heysea Yachts was 25th in the world, according to a ranking of global yacht brands published in Boat International magazine.

Zhuhai Sunway Yacht Co Ltd

[Photo courtesy zhsw.gov.cn]

Founded in 2007, Zhuhai Sunway Yacht Co Ltd registered its brand in the UK and established its manufacturing base in China. It designs, produces, and sells high-performance composite yachts. With two production lines of 45-ft and 70-ft yachts, the company produces more than 100 steel-fiberglass luxury yachts annually.