Hong Kong investor acquires Dutch superyacht yard

Family-owned Balk Shipyard, a Dutch shipbuilder that specialises in refits and rebuilds, has been acquired by Hong Kong-based investment company Zhongying International.

“This is game-changing not only for Balk Shipyard and our wider nautical family, but also across the superyacht industry at large,” the shipbuilder said in a statement.

Balk Shipyard, which is located within an hour of Amsterdam in the town of Elburg, has been operating for over 220 years. Notable projects include the rebuild of 27-metre explorer Sandalphon, and the company’s largest new-build project to date, the 53-metre three-masted classic staysail rigged yacht Mikhail S. Vorontsov, completed in 2013.

Balk’s largest new-build to date, the 53m sailing yacht Mikhail S. Vorontsov. Image courtesy of Dykstra

While the builder has not confirmed the financial details of the takeover, it says it is in now a “stronger position than ever to deliver our world-class shipping expertise to the global superyacht market.”

“The timing could not be better,” the company says. “The superyacht industry is experiencing exponential growth, and all is flux and change. This is the perfect moment for Balk Shipyard to establish ourselves as one of the leading luxury yachting companies in the world.”

Zhongchang International Holdings is a Hong Kong-based investment holding company principally engaged in developing property within Hong Kong – a Special Administrative Region of China.

Balk adds that Zhongying’s investment “gives us significant leverage to take on bigger shipbuilding projects than ever before, with zero compromise on quality and innovation.”