Although it’s best known for building megayachts to about 150 feet (46 meters), Horizon Yachts is part of a larger group. Its parent company, Horizon Group, also owns Premier Shipyard. Over the past two years, the company has been investing in those facilities. As a result, in June it completed a superyacht shiplift system that therefore allows it to accommodate some of the largest yachts cruising in Asian waters.
With yacht owners and guests setting their sights on farther-flung horizons, there’s a growing need for more maintenance and service facilities. Premier Shipyard is in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the same city as Horizon Yachts and along Taiwan’s largest harbor. It dates to 2005, initially for new construction. Horizon Group switched its focus to service in 2013. Overall, it spans 656 feet (200 meters) of the waterfront and 260,000 square feet (24,000 square meters) of upland space. All of that upland space is private, too.
Up to the completion of the shiplift, more than 30 private yachts from shipyards like Feadship and Riva have called on the yard. Of course, Horizon Yachts clients have relied on the site for service and refits as well. Additionally, Premier Shipyard has refitted yachts to 227 feet (69 meters), though it can handle ones upwards of 230 feet (70 meters). The new shiplift has a capacity of about 1,772 tons (1,800 metric tons). It measures 197 feet long by 45 feet wide (60 meters by 13.7 meters). Remaining unchanged, the refit and service teams will work with the major classification societies for warranty compliance. They’ll further continue addressing needs for yachts in steel, aluminum, and fiberglass.
“We are very excited about this latest upgrade,” says John Lu, Horizon Group’s CEO, “as it marks a significant step in the Horizon Group’s ongoing expansion.”
Premier Shipyard (email) refit@horizonyacht.com
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