GranOcean Opens Solar-Powered Shipyard as 32m X-32 Flagship Takes Shape
GranOcean has opened a 300,000-square-foot production facility in Zhuhai, increasing capacity for its custom X-Series while the 32m carbon X-32 flagship remains in build.
BlueWater Marinas and Bain Capital add Mystic River in Connecticut and Ripley Light in Charleston as their sixth and seventh joint-venture marina acquisitions.
BlueWater Marinas and Bain Capital have added two properties to their East Coast business, acquiring Mystic River Marina in Connecticut and Ripley Light Drystack Marina in Charleston, South Carolina. The companies say the transactions are their sixth and seventh purchases through the joint venture.
The properties represent two distinct waterfront operating models: a marina with large wet berths and winter storage in Mystic, and a drystack facility serving Charleston's boat owners. Neither purchase price was disclosed.
Mystic River Marina has nearly 70 years of history and has been operated by four generations of the Garbarino family. The marina offers seasonal and transient wet slips, winter dry storage, fuel, service, brokerage and customer facilities.
For larger visiting yachts, those services can be as important as the berth itself. Shore support and maintenance access need to be confirmed with the operator before an extended stay.
Ripley Light is located minutes from central Charleston with access to the harbour and nearby waterways. The site offers 220 dry-storage positions for vessels up to 40 feet, valet-style launch and retrieval, fuel, service and a boat club.
Its market differs from Mystic River's large-berth offering. Nevertheless, drystack operations support a waterfront economy shared by yacht owners, specialist companies and smaller auxiliary craft.
BlueWater and Bain say they are targeting marinas with operating histories, recurring service revenues and demand in established coastal locations. Their release indicates an intention to invest further in the facilities but gives no detailed capital-improvement budget.
The two purchases show the range of services within a marina investment platform, from wet berthing to storage and shoreside support. They are existing operational properties rather than newly opened developments.
The announcement provides no new large-yacht berth dimensions, dredging programme or changes to vessel acceptance. Captains should therefore continue to confirm available berth length, draft and services directly with the relevant marina.
For the wider industry, the transactions add another example of marina portfolio consolidation along the US Atlantic coast, with owners seeking to combine established waterside assets and service operations.
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GranOcean has opened a 300,000-square-foot production facility in Zhuhai, increasing capacity for its custom X-Series while the 32m carbon X-32 flagship remains in build.
Matthew Hrachovec has become Head of Procurement at Hill Robinson, while Peter Van Toor moves into a new Fleet Management System product-owner role.
Barrus assembled Mercury and Yanmar propulsion products with supporting marine equipment for its 2026 Southampton show presentation.
Fambridge Yacht Haven is marketing a workshop and boatshed on the River Crouch amid existing marina and lifting services.
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