2023 May June Marina World

DRYSTACK STORAGE
variations are low, surface storage and
boat ramps are preferred. For example,
drystack facilities are still uncommon
in the Middle East, where the market is
used to surface dry storage on trailers.
Philip Slagle (ATM) notes that covered
hard stand dry storage remains popular
in the region given affordability. While
drystack facilities may not be justifiable
in the short-term, long-term planning
requires their consideration to allow for
the growth of boating without capacity
ceilings. For example, drystack facilities
in Mexico were built within the last two
decades as part of master plans that
allocated waterfront land for other real
estate uses.
Within the drystack solutions,
technologies for forklift based systems
(more flexible) and crane systems (more
space-efficient) have evolved over three
decades (the fundamental concepts
are also described in PIANC WG 132).
Larger trucks and electric propulsion
are now available for the operation of
higher capacity forklift systems. After
decades of technology improvements
and limited projects built, crane systems
appear to be achieving more popularity.
For example, automated crane systems
have been built in Florida and are
being considered in Texas and in South
Carolina, as well as for large scale new
Pioneering
drystack buys
larger forklift
Yacht Haven Quay has taken delivery of
a brand new Wiggins Bull marine forklift
to support drystack and boatyard
operations at its Plymouth facility.
The popular Plymouth marina, which
was the UK’s first purpose-built drystack
when it opened in 2008, now operates with
three full time forklifts to cater for over 200
boats.
The new larger forklift can also support
boat lifting operations in the boatyard,
allowing yard and drystack operations to
take place simultaneously in line with the
growing demand for services.
The new forklift arrived on site in the
winter and was in full operation ahead of
the new 2023 season.
projects in the Red Sea.
In terms of stumbling blocks,
some urban, tourism and real estate
developers overlook the role of smaller
boats and underestimate the value of
drystack facilities. Some early adopters
in new regions were built with drivers
not fully established in the market
and have not always performed as
expected. This has reduced momentum.
In the future, I expect the role of
drystack facilities to consolidate.
YP Loke,
Spinnaker International
Drystack berthing has been growing in
popularity around
the world, but it
has not been as
widely adopted in
Asia. There are
several reasons
for this, including
the historical
promotion of
boating as an
elitist activity
leading to a preference for larger boats.
The effect of this is that many boat
owners preferred their boats to be
visible and easily admired, making wet
berths more appealing than drystacks.
However, recent developments suggest
that this trend may be slowly changing.
A growing boating population has
made boating activity perceived as less
exclusive in many parts of Asia. The
Covid pandemic has accelerated this
trend as it drove a new demographic
to the water, with younger boat owners
eager to reconnect with nature and
enjoy the great outdoors. This has led
to an increase in demand for smaller
boats, which has in turn brought new
business to drystack facilities.
However, despite these positive
developments, the lack of drystack
developments in Asia remains a
challenge. In most cases, marina
development is driven by private
enterprise, with many marinas
being part of upmarket integrated
developments. As a result, drystack
facilities often lose out to alternative
land use options that may be more
economically viable or better aligned
with the development’s aesthetic goals.
While efficiency of storage and
sustainability are key drivers,
developers should also explore new
partnership models between public
and private sector entities, as well as
innovative architectural solutions that
blend drystack facilities aesthetically
into the development in a way that adds
value to the overall offering.
www.marinaworld.com – May/June 2023
21