Western Australia is likely to lose one of two superyacht builders in the state, as the growing volume of defence work at Henderson squeezes existing industries.
WA company SilverYachts, which is one of three major boat builders at Henderson, is planning to establish international operations after a Chinese aluminium manufacturer bought a majority stake.
The downturn in the oil and gas sector could create a growth opportunity for the local boat building industry, based on the conversion of workboats into luxury superyachts.
Henderson-based superyacht builder Echo Yachts takes a different approach to most manufacturers – its workers have been told to slow down, and now they are setting records.
Design work is nearly complete for the world's largest trimaran yacht, to be built at the Australian Marine Complex in Perth's southern suburb of Henderson.
