Taiwan
a World Class Yacht Manufacturer A Partnership with St Lucia Opens Mega Opportunities
The Taiwan Yacht Industry has been signalled as one of the most progressive and prosperous in the world, standing as the sixth largest manufacturer of mega yachts with a stunning 31 active yacht builders on the island. The total value of yachts being built in Taiwan today is estimated at approximately 204 million pounds sterling annually. Taiwan is currently on a mission to exceed its own expectations with the construction of even bigger yachts and the penetration of new and developing markets. According to a study compiled by Saint Lucia’s Maritime Consultant Cuthbert Didier, technology presently available to Taiwan yacht builders can realize the construction of yachts larger than 160 feet using materials like steel instead of the customary fiberglass. Didier lists seven Taiwanese companies currently involved in driving the industry there and propelling it around the world. With that in mind, efforts are underway to attract these companies and builders to the evolving yacht industry in Saint Lucia. “St. Lucia’s yachting sector is growing and St. Lucia is fast becoming recognized as a Mega Yacht Destination. Many of the yachts being built in Taiwan are sailing the waters of the Caribbean and St. Lucia in any one given year,” Didier said. He envisions that with the advent of Saint Lucia’s yacht registration system in the pipeline, the island is poised to benefit considerably from a strategic alliance with the Taiwanese in not only the construction but the registration and flagging of these mega yachts – further amplifying the island’s position in the industry. “With the current initiative by the Government of St. Lucia to establish a yacht registration desk, there is great opportunity for BusinessFocus May / June
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these two Nations: (Taiwan and St. Lucia) to partner and develop a strategic alliance to further enhance and expand their yachting sectors,” Didier posited. It is believed that Yachting and Yacht services in St. Lucia and Taiwan can partner to explore considerable opportunities in creating a competitive advantage to highlight both destinations as unique in the Yachting world, giving the island a further competitive edge. According to the Yachting Ambassador, both counties currently share distinctions in two areas of the world yachting community, with Taiwan being a renowned yacht building nation and St. Lucia being recognized as an emerging mega yacht destination. The opportunities for St. Lucia in this regard, Didier says, are unique and far-reaching. He said the island can serve as a one-stop yacht purchasing and registration destination, where Taiwan will produce the finished products and Saint Lucia can provide reliable and secure yacht registration for the new owners. This, he opined, could be further amplified by discounted or free berthing of these yachts in St. Lucia, providing consistent presence of mega yachts in the island and increase economic potential for the industry as a whole. A yacht owners rally and Boat Builders Boat Show have also been cited as strong possibilities for Saint Lucia, showcasing all yacht brands built in Taiwan to potential buyers in the Americas but in a Saint Lucian showroom. Through years of effort, Taiwan has introduced the most advanced yacht designs, building materials and technologies to the industry. As the result of these innovations and training, Taiwan-built quality yachts have won the praises of the world’s yachting elite, with the country standing today as the world’s sixth largest yacht manufacturing nation.