Yachts central to comprehensive upscale port project

Year-long construction of 123 yacht berths and associated elevator and viewing platforms began at the Zhuhai Navigation Culture Center Public Wharf in Jiuzhou Bay of Jida on Dec 23.

Located in the southwest harbor basin, the center will cover more than 30,000 sq m in the Jiuzhou Port business circle. As a new leisure and landscape venue, it will open up space for more coastal activities, and further integrate tourism and cultural industries. Jiuzhou Navigation Culture Co Ltd oversees the project.

In line with the "Free Sailing" for Hong Kong and Macao-Registered Yachts in China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and port authorities, Jiuzhou is designated as one of four first-batch yacht exit-entry ports.

Launch ceremony

A notice posted by the Zhuhai Housing & Urban-Rural Planning & Construction Bureau in July states that the site is positioned to be a downtown waterborne transportation hub, coastal business, leisure and landscape zone, and upscale residential community. Its construction reflects urban planning as well as Jiuzhou Port's demands for transformation and upgrade.

The Guangdong Provincial Department of Transport approved the project in September. The published design shows that 302 sailing yacht berths will be built in phases, and the largest is able to accommodate a 40-m yacht.

Unlike those of a proprietary marina, Zhuhai Navigation Culture Center Public Wharf's berths will only open for rent, which will give better access to the public and encourage water sports development. 

Surrounding business circle

Once completed, the wharf will become one of the few sailing yacht bases adjacent to a city's portal business circle in South China. It will impel further development of seashore leisure sports industries, including sailing and yacht business in Zhuhai.

In tandem with surrounding business circles and hotels, the center will push ahead integration of tourism and sports, and the development of sailing events and cultural industries. It will strive to become another city landmark, declared a spokesman for Zhuhai Jiuzhou Holdings Group.

Rendering of Zhuhai Navigation Culture Center Public Wharf [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]