A crucial requisite

Yachting is a wide-ranging and demanding "leisure" business activity where, besides offering an enticing environment and secluded harbours, a resourceful service industry is an ever crucial requisite.

"Malta has always been in a good position to offer the visiting yachtsman a complete specialised service in a rather diminutive area. However, this is not enough if we aspire to continue expanding our industry. One fact is that yachts over 30 metres - which today number over 5,000 in Europe alone - will not be arriving in the same quantities as they have been in the past for the simple reason that shortly Malta will not be in a position to supply duty free fuel as it is doing at present to all yachts irrespective to flag or destination. This will mean less business to all the industry including the marinas which are currently investing heavily.

"One hopes that any decline in business would not affect the level of service and lead to Malta losing its identity as a first-class one stop shop. In the meantime our neighbouring competitors are strongly gearing up while Maltese yachting concerned businessmen are seeking new pastures of investment in other countries. This should be taken up with the EU authorities as Malta risks losing this industry which brings much light to the island as well as economic possibilities", Pierre Balzan, business development director, Melita Marine Group of Companies, comments.

Currently the world is experiencing economic difficulties, yet while some look at the cup and say it is half empty, others look at the same cup and say it is half full. Over the past eight years the global market for luxury yachts - over 24 metres - has more than tripled. Italy remains unchallenged as the leading luxury-yacht-building nation, with the Azimut-Benetti Group, the world's largest builder, today boasting 64 yachts over 24 metres under construction and on order, a 14 per cent unit production increase over 2004. This is definitely of interest to the home front, not for any direct involvement in the construction sphere but in view of Malta's well-regarded yacht refit and conversion facilities backed by a skilled and experienced workforce.

"Malta has for years now been steadily increasing its yacht maintenance, repair and refit capabilities in order to meet the increasing international market demand. This development came through an increased marketing effort and through the improved infrastructure and technical possibilities of the main local yacht yards, namely Manoel Island Yacht Yard, Bezzina Ship Repair, Cassar Ship Repair and Kalkara Boat Yard.

"The investment in Malta Super Yacht Services by Malta Shipyards Ltd has established 'a facility' which ensured a firm placing in the high-end of the international superyacht repair market. Today Malta Super Yacht Services, now operating since the last quarter of 2002, has a long list of esteemed repeat customers with boats ranging from 40 metres up to 157 metres in length and is a well-established leader in the sector within the Mediterranean.

"A list of advantages, such as the availability of technical knowledge and very skilled craftsmen, competitive cost base, mild weather, English speaking work force, pleasant locals, good infrastructure and the high motivation of the primary local industry personalities ensure that Malta has a great future potential to exploit in the yacht repair industry.

"Improving on the current level of success necessitates a determined collective effort not only by the local yacht repair sector but, honestly speaking, by the whole yachting industry in general. We must maintain a consistent level and quality of service which is so imperative in this industry, find a way to curtail the ever increasing labour cost, which is rapidly depleting the current price competitiveness, and effectively accelerate committed yacht related projects," maintains Joseph Degabriele, general manager, Malta Super Yacht Services (Malta Shipyards Ltd).

Yachting is strongly associated with lavishness, excellence and leisure. Yachting as a sport symbolises challenge, prestige and fun to its tasteful protagonists and is of valuable exposure to whichever venue becomes associated with prestigious yachting events.

"Yes, being directly associated with international events contributes immensely to the country's image and exposure. For example, the sponsors of the Rolex Middle Sea Race prepare on a yearly basis a 30-minute CD which promotes the race and, above all, Malta. Besides being distributed to yachtsmen and yacht clubs worldwide, this CD is shown regularly on BBC World at prime viewing times to expose the real spirit of yachting with regard to Malta.

"Another relatively new Malta-origin international sailing event which is steadily establishing itself is the EuroMed Championship for Optimist and Laser classes. Besides the publicity and financial aspect, this event, with over 100 young sailors from some 11 countries, is giving our youngsters a healthy challenge so vital in the build-up of young characters today. Yet, unfortunately, I feel sailing is not given the utmost recognition and support by various sources, including the government, nor is the hard work and effort put in by the many volunteers involved in the sport truly appreciated.

"Malta needs to pursue such events in order to raise its standards and image worldwide," observes proficient yachtsman Arthur Podestà.

This two-part feature is meant purely to be an impartial "incitement" to highlight the importance of this precious "jewel in the crown". It is indeed the trade which knows best the industry's priorities and it is eventually the trade that will have to attain their realisation.

One sincere recommendation is the re-activation of the Malta Yacht Traders' Association where all concerned should put aside any existing "pride and prejudice" and pool together their proficient individual capabilities to effect a strong united organisation. This is definitely not the only solution but one which could be the necessary mechanism... otherwise, what?