Camper and Nicholsons Marinas, which operates the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, has taken a significant step into new markets with the award of a new contract from Luhuitou Tourism Development Co. Ltd to design and commission the Sanya Serenity Marina.

Notably, the prestigious 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race has scheduled Sanya as its only Chinese stopover and this will be an opportunity to showcase the new marina to the world’s sailing fraternity.

The marina is due for completion in June 2011 with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover planned for February 2012. The marina will incorporate 350 berths, including superyacht berths up to 50m, and will form part of a resort being designed by world-renowned architects Chapman Taylor.

Camper and Nicholsons Marinas sees the project as a highly significant step in its participation in China’s rapid growth in the premium marina sector. It is a major development for Luhuitou Tourism Development Co. Ltd and the city of Sanya, which aim to establish a world-class tourist and yachting destination in this unique tropical environment. Sanya is located on the island of Hainan, China’s most southerly province.

Camper and Nicholsons Marinas CEO Nick Maris said: “We are delighted to be working with Luhuitou Tourism Development on this outstanding project, which aims to bring the highest international standards to this important new marina. Sanya is set to become a major yachting and tourism destination in south-east Asia, and we look forward to working together to make this the region’s finest marina.”

This month, a delegation from Sanya’s city government and Luhuitou/Sanya Serenity Marina undertook a three-day fact-finding visit to Malta, to see Camper and Nicholsons’ flagship Grand Harbour Marina. The delegation was keen to learn from the island’s experience in developing tourism and a thriving yachting industry.

As well as meeting senior C&N management, they also met Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco and Malta Maritime Authority chairman Mark Portelli.

Deputy Mayor of Sanya City, Li Baiqing, acknowledged that the success of a marina was not only dependent upon its design and build, but also on the resources, training and knowledge of the people who manage it, and he was therefore confident that Camper and Nicholsons Marinas was the right partner to ensure that Sanya Serenity Marina sets the standard for premium marinas in the region.