UK yacht-builder is investing in a new refit facility at Vilanova Grand Marina – Barcelona

UK yacht refit and builder, Pendennis Shipyard, is to significantly expand its Mediterranean presence with a major investment in a refit facility located at Vilanova Grand Marina – Barcelona.

Mike Carr, joint managing director at Pendennis, commented: “Besides already being a first-class marina close to Barcelona, we plan to build a refit facility alongside from where we will be able to enhance our offering to the superyacht fleet in the Mediterranean region. This will complement our already successful international business operation in Palma, as well as our main base in Falmouth.”

Toby Allies, Pendennis sales & marketing director, told IBI: “The development of Vilanova Grand Marina Barcelona will be completed in phases; the first of which will see the hard standing and haul-out bay upgraded with a 640-tonne travel hoist. Plans for the site are still in the specifying and work up phase, so it is difficult to give an accurate indication of the investment that will be made at this time.”

Regarding the size of yachts that will be handled, he said: “Available berths are 25m (82ft) to 120m (394ft) supported by haul-out and hard-standing facilities up to 640 tonnes. Our vision is that Vilanova Grand Marina Barcelona will add to our offering in the Mediterranean both for existing clients and the wider superyacht fleet and complement the services currently on offer in Palma.”

Recent financial figures for Pendennis show that the company had a record turnover excess of £50m in 2017 and at one point last year the company was working on 11 different projects at its Falmouth shipyard.

Following its presence at the Monaco Yacht Show, Allies commented: “The Monaco Yacht Show was very positive for Pendennis. Having the newly-completed 39m (128ft) sailing yacht Vijonara on display and the Red Arrows to highlight our 30th anniversary provided a great platform to promote our presence.

“Straight after the show we held our very first Pendennis Classic Yacht Cruise,” he explained, “which saw a collection of classic yachts from the Pendennis fleet perform a parade of sail from Cannes to St Tropez. Yachts involved included Haida 1929, Fair Lady, Blue Bird, Talitha, Vijonara and Mariette of 1915.”