Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has launched its marina project as part of the broader SkyCity blueprint, seeking global interest from the yachting, hospitality and water sports sectors to help shape the 200-hectare (494 acres) development, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2028.
Cissy Chan Ching-sze, the authority’s commercial executive director, said on Monday the development – a key component of the Skytopia project – is aimed at a global yachting market expected to reach HK$352 billion (US$45 billion) by 2032.
“2028 is going to be a very important year because the first phase of the yacht bay project will be completed in stages throughout that year,” Chan said, adding that the facility would initially accommodate 70 small and medium-sized vessels.
A defining feature of the project will be Hong Kong’s largest yachting hub, she said, with a bay offering a total capacity of 500 berths designed for the global superyacht market. Half of the berths will be dedicated to vessels exceeding 30 metres (98 feet).
For ultra-large vessels, the bay will include four specialised berths for 100-metre yachts, with the largest capable of accommodating vessels up to 150 metres.
Chan said the marina infrastructure would be complemented by the city’s largest water sports recreation zone, spanning up to 100 hectares and featuring cable skiing, motorised water sports and inflatable installations, including waterborne pickleball.
A 15,000 square metre coastal resort hotel will also be built, offering about 300 rooms, of which 90 per cent will have sea views, she added.
“Our goal is also to attract more visiting vessels, such as those from Southeast Asia or individual travellers from the Greater Bay Area. We aim to establish Hong Kong as a premier yachting tourism destination in Asia,” Chan said.
“Our objective is also to provide an integrated sea-air travel experience. Visitors can arrive at the airport by commercial or private aircraft and then set off on a yacht excursion. Conversely, they can arrive by yacht and then take a flight to other destinations.”
The global yachting industry is experiencing strong growth, with the market valued at about US$21 billion in 2025 and projected to reach US$45 billion by 2032.
In Hong Kong, there are currently 12,500 licensed yachts, including about 90 superyachts measuring 30 metres or longer, competing for just 4,300 berths.
This number of superyachts ranks Hong Kong second in the Asia-Pacific region, behind only Australia.
Chan said the invitation for expressions of interest aims to gather global feedback from the yachting, hospitality and water recreation sectors to refine the project. Decisions on whether to appoint a single contractor or multiple partners will depend on the responses received.
The team will attend the Singapore Yachting Festival, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, to promote the project.
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, the Airport Authority’s CEO, said the infrastructure would give the airport a rare opportunity to develop a true marina economy, serving local yacht owners while attracting visiting vessels from around the world.
“A yacht economy creates a full ecosystem. It generates demand for food and drink, retail, entertainment and critical vessel services such as maintenance and refuelling. It supports owners, guests and crew,” Cheung said.
She added that collaboration with tourism partners would help draw visitors to the city, ensuring the economic benefits extend across Hong Kong rather than being confined to a single development.
Lawrence Chow, chairman of the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association, said the move would create strong synergies across sectors while addressing growing demand in the industry.
“It reached a point where you actually had to secure a berthing space before you could even buy a boat. Having more berthing locations now is beneficial for the industry, allowing for expansion and addressing the demand that will persist over the next 10 or 20 years,” Chow said.
Meanwhile, the authority signed a deal with a private company last month to manage Skytopia’s art and valuables storage facility, with operations set to begin in early 2027.
Other major projects due to reach key milestones by 2028 include the AsiaWorld-Expo Phase 2 expansion and the Airport–Tung Chung Link.
The autonomous transport system will provide a driverless connection between Skytopia, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge artificial island and Tung Chung town centre.
As for the 11 Skies mall development within Skytopia, the Airport Authority said it was in close communication with developer New World Development, adding that its positioning was being adjusted to focus more on entertainment and dining.
The check-in facilities at Terminal 2 are scheduled to open on May 27.