Hong Kong reigns as Asia’s yachting hub, with some 12,500 registered vessels requiring regular maintenance—yet local shipyards often lack the capacity, sending owners overseas for refits. Just across the water, Zhongshan’s seasoned repair expertise and prime location are stepping in to bridge this gap, promising smoother service for yacht enthusiasts.

This solution took shape recently when officials from both sides gathered in Zhongshan to sign a Hong Kong yacht repair memorandum. Going forward, Hong Kong-flagged yachts can sail straight into Zhongshan’s port for maintenance, cutting out complex detours and saving owners time and hassle.

Since the agreement took effect, two yachts have already arrived via the new direct channel. One of them has completed its repairs and sailed off—proof that the streamlined process works, and that more vessels will surely follow.

Zhongshan first blazed this trail in October 2023 by handling the mainland’s maiden direct sail repair of a Hong Kong-Macau commercial ship. With that experience under its belt, the city is now poised to turn its boatyards into a buzzing nexus of cross-border maritime collaboration—boosting the local repair industry while deepening economic ties across the Greater Bay Area.