HISWA Holland Yachting Group and Port of Amsterdam are making bold moves to establish Amsterdam as a major destination for private superyachts. The diversity in berths located in the heart of the city center, combined with world-class refit and maintenance facilities in the port area may make Amsterdam a unique and viable tourism destination for superyachts.
A quiet transformation has been underway in the superyacht world for some years now. Where the Mediterranean and the Caribbean used to reign supreme in terms of both facilities and interest, a new generation of yacht owners are increasingly looking for something more original. High latitudes are becoming ever more fashionable and northern Europe, with its superb nature, convivial culture and avant-garde art and design has been reaping the rewards.
“Amsterdam is an ideal destination for superyachts due to its unique DNA,” says Jeroen Sirag, export director HISWA Holland Yachting Group. “We are ready to become first port-of-call for superyacht building, tourism, and refit and maintenance, and we will create an quintessentially Dutch experience for all involved.”
A sea of change
The countries around the North and Baltic Seas are less crowded compared to the traditional sailing areas in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. More adventurous owners are increasingly noticing the benefits. Amsterdam is well-positioned, in terms of geography as well as refit facilities, to benefit from this sea change in attitudes. The city has numerous secure docking options for superyachts right in the city center—including the iconic National Maritime Museum and the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam—as well as a UNESCO World Heritage city center. Additionally, Amsterdam remains a vibrant city with world-class museums, luxury shopping, restaurants and festivals, truly a unique destination to explore.
At the center of Europe’s ‘yacht valley’
Also helping make its case, the Netherlands in known for producing some the finest luxury superyachts in the world, and has the refit and maintenance infrastructure to match.
“Our history makes the Dutch shipyards and suppliers understand that there is always need to adapt to different markets while making no concessions to outstanding quality and constant service excellence,” said Sirag. “This is one of the reasons for our success.”
Captains and crew are likely to enjoy staying in Amsterdam while work is being done on their yachts, and owners love to visit the city. There is a dense web of yards and suppliers in what has been called Europe’s “yacht valley,” with everything a superyacht owner could wish for within an easy 125-mile radius. Feadship, a world leader in superyacht building, is currently constructing a new yard for superyachts up to 160 meters in Amsterdam. Other yards and suppliers have indicated an interest in Amsterdam as well.
On paper, Amsterdam seems well suited as a future superyacht hub in terms of both physical and institutional arrangements. Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, Europe’s third largest, is 15 minutes away and the long maritime history of the Netherlands and affinity for water of the Dutch means that rules and facilities are finely tuned to the needs of superyacht owners.
“Already for seven centuries we are building ships in the Amsterdam area,” says Alma Prins, commercial manager of superyachts at Port of Amsterdam. “The region has always been known for its craftsmanship and the highest quality standards when it comes to refit. We know what it takes to facilitate superyachts and look forward to welcoming more superyachts to Amsterdam.”
More to follow
Positioned strategically between the Atlantic and the Baltic, the Dutch capital makes a perfect starting point for the increasingly popular route to Ireland and the UK, Scandinavia including the Norwegian Fjords, St. Petersburg and beyond. HISWA Holland Yachting Group and Port of Amsterdam will attend this year’s Monaco Yacht Show to present Amsterdam as a superyacht destination as a part of the Holland Pavilion.
For more information: hollandyachtinggroup.com
