International ship deliveries severely disrupted
The Covid-19 pandemic has logistical consequences at all stages of yacht production. If the news in this spring of 2021 revolves around the problems of supply of raw materials and equipment, inducing delays in future deliveries, the factories have finalized so far many pleasure boats. However, national and international travel restrictions (more than 75% of French production is exported) have prevented the boats from being consigned to their owners in many cases. Today, the large units launched into the water clutter up the marinas located near the factories of the major yachting manufacturers. The port of La Rochelle currently hosts 90 catamarans awaiting delivery.
Recreational harbors are congested, but under control
The port managers interviewed have varying opinions on the criticality of the situation. Port Olona, which hosts the launching of some of the Lagoon catamarans, as well as the Privilege boats, claims to have no problems. In Canet-en-Roussillon, with its active multihull refit center, also close to the Bali / Catana factories, the marina director confirms a tight flow management, but under control. "We have the advantage of having 600 linear meters of technical dock that allow for easier dynamic management than with pontoon locations. In addition, we have learned the lessons of early 2020 when we had skippers and boats blocked. This was able to be resolved in 2020, notably thanks to the second-hand boat show, one of the only ones that could be held and which helped to create turnover. We also had some air because boaters launched their yards earlier. We have planned well for 2021 and there is no saturation" he reassures.
On the La Rochelle side, director Bertrand Moquay notes that the situation is also delicate. "The port of La Rochelle still has a significant amount of available pontoons, both for calls, boats on delivery and events. With the containment and the virtual ban on port calls, the absence of events, we were able to absorb the volume of boats waiting for delivery, but it is now very full."
How to manage boaters in stopover and full pontoons?
Now the question is the potential impact on the organization of the summer season. "For the moment, we still have about 20 places for catamarans, because there are no stopovers. But there could be some one-time difficulties and tensions to free up spaces for events when it starts up again. Unfortunately, we cannot take specific measures because we do not have visibility on boat departures and measures on voyages. Especially since it seems that currently, there are difficulties in shipping the boats by cargo. They are loaded in dribs and drabs. In the meantime, we are asking the shipyards to leave the boats on the nautical platform whenever possible," regrets Bertrand Moquay.
