GRANTED, Jersey will never be a Monaco, Antibes or Costa Smeralda when it comes to attracting the superyachts of the global elite – but more and more are coming to the Island, as anyone keeping an eye on the Harbour will testify.
Over the last couple of years, the number of 35+m yachts visiting Jersey has more than doubled. Granted the numbers are not huge but so far this year, 11 palaces of the ocean have stopped over in Jersey.
The most recent – and largest – is the 98m Aviva, which anchored in St Aubin’s Bay last week. The yacht is reportedly owned by Bahamas-based British billionaire Joe Lewis, once owner of Tottenham Hotspur.
Not far behind, and coming into the Harbour in 2024, was the 90m leviathan Norm, reportedly owned by software billionaire and space tourist Charles Simonyi.
The increasing frequency of these shining examples of wealth creation is down to several reasons, not least the development of Harbour infrastructure that allows them to berth, the relative low cost of marine fuel, and the efforts of Jersey-founded agency called Channel Island Port Services, which is developing the concept of the ‘Atlantic Gateway’ – putting our archipelago on the map for boats transiting between northern and southern Europe, and beyond.
The JEP spoke to Simon Porritt of CI Port Services about the growing trend. The business is a port agent, which means it acts as a ship’s local representative before, during and after it visits the Island.
That includes berth bookings, customs formalities, arranging replenishments such as food and fuel, organising repairs and refitting, helping with shore visits, booking accommodation and flights, transport and cleaning. It is the local ‘fixer’, so to speak.
It does that for commercial ships, such as the fuel, cement and sand carriers, as well as cruise ships and yachts.
Mr Porritt used to work for Ports of Jersey but joined CI Port Services’ founder, former Harbourmaster Captain Howard Le Cornu, three years ago.
His arrival not only helped the business to grow but was also accompanied by some fair winds of serendipity: at the same time, the 500 MW, 62-turbine windfarm off Saint Brieuc was being built.
During its complex construction period – able to be seen from Jersey’s southwest corner on a clear day – larger vessels such as piling rigs that stayed offshore for extended periods of time were being serviced by smaller boats from France. However, one of those workboats developed a fault so came to Jersey for repairs.
Mr Porritt said: “They discovered Jersey almost by accident but were taken aback at just how welcoming it was here. They couldn’t believe how easy it would be to fly in a technician or get resupplied. The company had been using Saint Malo, with its lock restrictions, and were flying people and out of Paris, which isn’t exactly close to Brittany.
“For them, Jersey was ideal. Landing from many European hubs, they could travel from the Airport to the Harbour in ten or so minutes. Although the Harbour does have some tidal constraints, it was far easier than Saint Malo, even for the bigger workboats.
“They also appreciated our ‘nothing-is-too-much-trouble’ attitude, which comes down to our connections and knowing who to call.”
Mr Porritt continued: “That was a perfect springboard for us and when that work came to an end, we realised that how transferable that help had been, and how attractive Jersey could be to a visiting cruise ship or superyacht.”
No one could have failed to see Jersey at its beautiful best of late, but still, the global elite who can afford a superyacht are more likely to choose the giant marinas of Antibes, Monaco, Majorca or Cannes over St Helier at this time of year.
So, what is attractive to a visiting superyacht?
Mr Porritt said: “Most of the yachts that we see here have just crew onboard, usually relocating for the owners. Jersey’s convenience is its location at the centre of a transit route from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, often on the way to or from a shipyard in Germany or Holland for a refit. Another increasingly common reason is yachts moving to the cruising grounds of Norway and the Baltics.
“Cruise ships have long visited the amazing fjords up there, and superyachts are now discovering them too.”
‘Savannah’ (name needs confirming as was not visable on bow or stern) docks for a refule for her onward journey 31/05/26
Picture: RICH PICOT
“Jersey is a 20-to-30-mile diversion off that main transit route through the Channel, which probably up to 1,500 large yachts sailing through each year. Our focus is not just on selling our services but more about the attraction of Jersey, and the Channel Islands.”
He added: “We are developing a brand concept called the ‘Atlantic Gateway’, which is about creating a maritime identity for the islands, and we want build that around a family of businesses which can all support these visitors.
“For example, we had a superyacht visit earlier this year, which stayed for about six weeks. They were waiting for a weather window but instead of hopping down the coast, day by day, they decided to wait. They chose Jersey because they could get so much done, while we at Channel Island Port Services looked after their needs.
“We tend to pay for things of their behalf, and at the end of their stay, we could see they had used around 40 local suppliers, from furniture restorers, carpet fitters and tailors to welders, air conditioning engineers and grocers.
“And a lot of businesses that wouldn’t necessarily place themselves in the maritime sector are benefiting. It is not just a case of filling up with fuel and heading off, although the attraction of cheaper fuel certainly helps.
“What is more important, however, is the Atlantic Gateway partnership which we are building, putting the islands on the map for any boat passing through, north, south, east or west.”
Going hand in hand with the increasing attraction of the Island is Ports of Jersey’s investment in floating pontoons which can handle these impressive vessels.
Crew don’t have to adjust their moorings with the tide, and the two main berths – the Albert Pier and the New North Quay – are a short distance from town.
Most of the time, the owners are not on board, although occasionally they come, maybe because they have an existing connection here. An owner of a recent visitor, the 37m ‘Lollipop’, went on a cruise around the Channel Islands, which involved stops in Guernsey and Herm.
Mr Porritt said: “We work closely with a partner in Guernsey so can provide a pan-island service. This is not about attracting yachts to Jersey over Guernsey or vice versa.”
He added: “The crews who come here usually have a great time: for our six-week visitors, I rented a van and took them out to Mont Orgueil for the day, and they had an amazing time. They also went to the Zoo. Throughout their time, they frequently said: ‘the owners would love this’, adding that they would suggest Jersey to them.”
Mr Porritt said that CI Port Services visited the Monaco Boat Show each year to make connections and spread the word about the Channel Islands. The business and the islands also featured in captains’ guides and the business was also developing links with Jersey’s financial services sector.
He said: “There are a few myths out there that St Helier isn’t big or deep enough for superyachts but we’re doing our best to scotch those. Jersey will never be a Monaco or Saint Tropez because that is not who we are but as a transit point, we have amazing services, infrastructure, a great network, and lots of attractive things to see and do.
“They might also want to check in with their wealth manager or corporate service provider while they are here.”
One of the key partners in the Atlantic Gateway concept is Rubis Channel Islands, which supplies fuel at the Harbour.
The firm said that it believed Jersey had a “significant opportunity” to strengthen its position as a preferred superyacht fuel stop.
It told the JEP: “Fuel is one of the key factors in any superyacht transit plan, particularly for vessels moving between the Mediterranean, northern European refit yards in Germany and Holland, and onward cruising grounds in Scandinavia.
“Rubis has been building this opportunity across the Channel Islands for more than a decade, working with global bunkering agents, captains and yacht management companies to promote Jersey and Guernsey as trusted marine fuel destinations.
“Through the wider Rubis Group, we are able to draw on an established international network and a deep understanding of the superyacht sector to help drive more vessels to the islands.”
The firm’s head of sales in the Channel Islands, Rodolphe Mangematin, added: “This is about much more than supplying fuel.
“Fuel may be the reason a vessel chooses to stop, but the opportunity is far bigger. Every superyacht visit creates demand for local expertise, local produce, marine services, hospitality and professional services. The Channel Islands have the location and the international connections to turn this into a much larger success story, and we should grasp that opportunity with confidence.”
“As more superyachts look for dependable stopovers outside the busiest hubs, Jersey has an opportunity to develop an Atlantic Gateway and build a stronger presence in a global industry… By working together, local businesses can help turn these visits into a wider local industry, one that is still small but has clear potential to grow.”
