By signing a Memorandum of Understanding, Yacht Solutions and Ital Thai Marine have agreed to join their forces to create Thailand’s first dedicated superyacht facility in Bangkok.
Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine
This joint venture brings together Thailand’s largest and most established shipbuilding company with Thailand’s most reputable and experienced superyacht refit company.
Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine is being set up in response to the demand for more superyacht refit and repair facilities in the Asian region from both owners of superyachts based in Asia and those travelling from Europe and America.
Located near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakam and easy to navigate in from the sea – Ital Thai Marine provides the perfect site. This deep water facility was needed by Yacht Solutions to cater for larger refit and build projects as well as shorter emergency and maintenance projects.
Its location, being in the vibrant city of Bangkok and only 45 minutes from Bangkok international airport (the transiting hub of Southeast Asia) is ideal because it is extremely appealing to owners, captains and crew due to the vast range of crew facilities close to hand.
Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine is a 112,000 square metre facility offering full ship building and repair capabilities plus a bonded warehouse and in-house design office. Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine is ISO 9001:2000 rated and boasts a lifting capacity up to 95 metres and 3,500 tonnes. It has access to two 115 metre dry docks, 300 metre alongside berthing, a floating dock up to 160 metres and 5000 tonnes lift capacity, making this the largest superyacht repair facility in Southeast Asia.
Charter yacht Douce France at YSITM
Gareth Twist, managing director of Yacht Solutions commented, “We have been in the marine refit and repair business in Thailand for over 10 years and we have been looking for a deep water facility for the last 2 years. We are very excited to be at Ital Thai Marine as this is the perfect site for us. Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine expands our superyacht capabilities for hauling-out and opens up a great yard option for any resident yachts and superyachts passing through the Gulf of Thailand. This facility is accessible to all of Southeast Asia being less than 800 miles from Singapore. We are very excited with this partnership as it offers a natural progression for our business”.
The superyacht industry in Asia is growing and recent trends show that there has been a year on year increase in the number of superyachts either in the region or transiting through the region. Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine is very keen to attract those yachts to this new facility in Thailand for planned or emergency refits, repairs or conversion work.
Wirat Chanasit, managing director of Ital Thai Marine said: “We are delighted to now offer a superyacht division at Ital Thai Marine shipyard. As Southeast Asia’s leading superyacht refit company, Yacht Solutions brings a highly skilled superyacht management team including exterior finishings and painting, interior fit-out and engineering. Yacht Solutions at Ital Thai Marine has full access to our facilities and our 300 strong workforce”.
Mr Twist adds that “We have a tremendous pool of talented craftsmen here in Thailand and this facility combines European management, standards and quality with the renowned finishing skills of Thai craftsmen. Our unique combination ensures international standards are maintained while owners receive exceptional value for money and service due to the efficiencies of operating out of Thailand. With this facility we are able to compete with the European yards but with the distinct advantage of a lower labour cost base”.
This has been the busiest season yet for Yacht Solutions and if the future bookings are a good indicator – then this yard is likely to be full for refits by the end of the year. Yacht Solutions in Bangkok has successfully completed extensive refit projects on the 43-metre charter yacht Douce France and 30-metre sailing yacht Merrymaid in the last 5 months.
