Taiwan's first marina a Superior effort
by Jeni Bone on 15 Jul 2014
Horizon Yachts City Marina Superior Jetties
www.superiorjetties.com
The first modern marine in Kaohsiung, Taiwan was a joint project between Superior Australia and the Horizon Group, who are headquartered in this major yacht building centre.
Scheduled to open in time for the inaugural Taiwan International Yacht Show, 8 to 11 May 2014, the marina, now known as Horizon City Marina, was commissioned October 2013, following an agreement made at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.
Phil Hudson, who has been with Superior for 10 years, five of those running the Middle East operations for the company, is the International Sales Manager for Superior and oversaw the Kaohsiung marina project.
Once Superior got the go ahead, John Hogan went to the site to measure up. Adjacent to the newly constructed Convention Centre, the site was disused commercial precinct and required many weeks of clean up prior to commencement of works.
'The brief was to construct a marina with 40 berths to accommodate boats 12m to 40-50m,' explains Hudson. 'There are four big berths, 14 berths for boats to 12m and the rest are for boats up to 40m. We placed a restriction at 40m because of the challenges posed by typhoons in the region, which is largely unprotected. We worked from studies showing the strongest winds and we built to suit those conditions.'
Another challenge was the very deep water, 11m in some parts, which is ideal for passage of commercial ships, for which Kaohsiung is renowned. 'The water there is tidal and a very busy channel,' asserts Hudson. 'We were breaking new ground for marinas in Taiwan, so it was a pleasing result.'
The pontoons were constructed at the Horizon facility, under Hudson’s supervision and to Superior specs. 'Their set up is state-of-the-art and they did a really good job.'
The marina is constructed of concrete deck, Superior’s standard Elite Pontoon System, which they have refined over 20 years.
During the Taiwan International Boat Show, Horizon showcased its range of yachts there and hosted visitors and clients aboard. Following the event, the marina is being used by Horizon, as well as open to invited guests and private yachts for long-term mooring.
Horizon was very pleased with the outcome, according to Hudson. The Horizon Group said the establishment of 'a world-class private luxury yacht marina' will assist the company in providing after-sales service and support to its Taiwan and Asian owners, and it hopes 'encourage more people to embrace and enjoy the new yachting lifestyle in Taiwan'.
Superior is currently working on projects in Malaysia, the Middle East, Fiji and Indonesia, with additional quotes for work in Hong Kong, Mozambique, Phuket, Vietnam and Myanmar.
'We have our finger on the pulse,' says Hudson, adding that international boat shows such as China and Indonesia will be the priority for the Gold Coast-based company for the rest of 2014.
More at www.superiorjetties.com
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