Fiji’s major marina facility Port Denarau Marina (PDM) is investing $6million in two major capital projects that aims to expand its superyacht infrastructure at the marina in Nadi.
Ports Denarau Marina CEO Cynthia Rasch said the investment projects formed a key part of the marina’s long-term strategy to reinforce its position as the premier superyacht destination in the South Pacific.
The expansion includes a 203-meter extension of the superyacht jetty and dredging works to improve navigation access.
The jetty extension will see to the introduction of seven new superyacht berths and will accommodate up to four vessels of 75m and three vessels of 40m.
Ms Rasch said that extension would increase private berthing capacity to 62 berths.
She said Fiji was rapidly emerging as a key hub for superyachts in the South Pacific region and they were excited to begin work on this significant upgrade.
“This $6m investment delivers the critical infrastructure needed to support that growth and future-proof our operations,” Ms Rasch said in the company’s market announcement to the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) where the company is listed.
“Our customers deserve the very best, and this development underscores our ongoing commitment to enhancing their experience,” she added.
PDM board chairman Malakai Naiyaga said the extension of the superyacht berths and the launch of dredging works represented a major milestone for Port Denarau Marina and the country’s marine tourism sector.
“This is the beginning of a broader investment program to elevate our facilities to world-class standards and cement Fiji’s status as the superyacht capital of the South Pacific,” Mr Naiyaga said.
The projects are scheduled for completion just in time for the start of the 2025 cruising season.
A 2019 Fiji Yachting Survey conducted in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Market Development Facility (MDF) found 83 per cent of visiting superyachts identified PDM as their preferred port of entry.
