International Marine Services Shipyard, a.k.a. IMS Shipyard, has a new 30-year lease that will permit a major expansion. The refit yard is gaining abundant space to raise its megayacht berthing capacity from 20 to 100.
Based in Toulon, France, IMS Shipyard has a 25-year history of focusing on yachts from 66 to 164 feet (20 to 50 meters). The new lease involves a former naval air station in St.-Mandrier, also on the bay of Toulon. IMS Shipyard has already begun transforming the property for yacht work. Come this fall, IMS 700, as the new facility is called, will handle megayachts to 262 feet (80 meters). The illustration above gives you an idea of how it will appear when completed. IMS Shipyard says the addition will make it the largest megayacht-repair yard in the Med.
IMS 700 is gaining renovated buildings as well as new structures. The former air-traffic control tower will become a VIP office. It’s for owners, guests, and captains to use. IMS Shipyard is thankfully preserving the vast views out the windows. Sheds that previously housed French Navy planes and helicopters will become a paint shed, storage area, and more. IMS Shipyard is further creating an all-new 5,382-square-foot (500-square-meter) crew’s quarter. It will have a gym, TV/movie lounge, and offices. It will also have a nice terrace and barbecue area, making it even more attractive.
IMS Shipyard is rolling out the transformation of IMS 700 in phases. These include creating a haul-out area, a floating breakwater, and a floating pontoon. Two boat lifts will move megayachts around. Besides the above-mentioned enclosed sheds for work, open-air space will be set aside for projects, too. To put everything into perspective, three megayachts to 164 feet apiece will be able to lie end to end in each of four enclosed sheds.
Since IMS Shipyard signed the lease with the French Navy, the maritime zone is monitored by the military branch. That, plus on-site security, should lend peace of mind.
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