Superior, a market leader for marine berthing applications, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korean manufacturer and marine industry proponent, Scotra. The two companies will work together on several new luxury yacht marinas in the Busan region.
According to Phil Hudson, Superior International Sales Manager, Scotra is known for making components for Nike, among other brands and has diversified into manufacturing components for pontoons and marinas. “They are well-respected in the marine industry,” he explains. “We anticipate working with them on several new marinas in the Busan region in the next two to three years.”
This partnership bolsters Superior’s presence in the region. “South Korea is open to development in the marine sector and they are looking for expertise. Scotra is a great fit with Superior and will be able to tap in to our proven design-led solutions.”
Superior has previously completed projects in Korea previously and this entailed adapting to new challenges such as freezing conditions in the icy waters of the Ham River in Seoul.
“What made this project so challenging was to ensure that the base polyethylene and aluminium products could withstand the additional forces from the ice. This only worked in a confined space where whole ice floes did not shift.”
In Shanghai, China, Superior has just finished the second stage of the installation along the North Bund area close to downtown. “This was a real challenge,” says Hudson. “In daylight hours, there’s a constant stream of commercial traffic all day – the 40 to 50m ferries, freighters and recreational boats as well. The ships don’t stop at night, but there are fewer.”
The upstream project had to accommodate Superyachts to enter China under bonded store conditions until customers were cleared. Under the provision of local government, the public marina will be used by large passenger vessels and private vessels.
“There is a very strong current, swells and a tidal change of 1.8 to 2m. The installation called for a very robust system as it has constant wash from passing ships’ wake and nature.”
Superior’s solution involved making the marina “larger, stronger, and flexible”, so it will be able to roll with the water while remaining stable. “We used our high grade, elite concrete deck pontoon system which is ideal for this situation.”
Superior is involved in major marina construction projects and remediation in Dubai, Fiji, Malaysia and Australia, many of them in extreme conditions such as intense heat and UV exposure, monsoons, sub-zero temperatures or tidal extremes.
“Whether you want to build in ice, desert heat, tidal and current affected waters or a still water canal or lake, Superior can adapt our solutions to suit,” says CEO, John Hogan. “We are more than a manufacturing company. Our reason for being is to enhance waterfront lifestyle and enjoyment.”
