HK and Macao yachts cleared for Greater Bay Area cruising under new cross-border scheme

Hong Kong and Macao yacht owners are now able to sail more freely across the Greater Bay Area.

This as Beijing has approved a pilot scheme allowing yachts to enter designated mainland ports without customs guarantees -- in a move to boost the region's yacht economy.

Paving the way for easier cross-border yacht travel within the Greater Bay Area, the State Council has allowed yachts from Hong Kong and Macao to sail in the region while being exempt from guarantee requirements, starting Friday.

Under the new arrangement, Hong Kong and Macao yachts can use their Provisional Certificate of Ship's Nationality when entering nine mainland Greater Bay Area cities, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

However, the yachts must enter through designated ports, and the arrangement remains temporary.

The first batch of designated ports include Nansha Passenger Port in Guangzhou and Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal.

Designated waters for leisure cruising include the Pearl River Estuary and Shenzhen Bay.

The State Council has instructed the Guangdong provincial government and relevant authorities to implement regulatory adjustments.

The yacht industry says once a vessel obtains a temporary mainland licence, the ship will be treated as mainland-registered and doesn't have to apply for additional permits

or pay extra deposits.

The Hong Kong Yachting Association's Chairman Tommy Ho says a yacht valued at 10 million dollars could require a security deposit equivalent to 38 percent of its value or about 3.8 million dollars.

While the deposit can be refunded, the reimbursement process was often complicated and time-consuming.

They estimate with the new policy, around 10 percent of Hong Kong yacht owners will sail to the mainland and spend money.

Meanwhile, measures to facilitate southbound travels of mainland yachts will take effect next month.

Visiting yachts will no longer be required to reserve berths at privately operated yacht clubs or marinas before reaching the SAR.

But lawmaker Roy Chu says as yacht owners still have to travel to Central to register now, further streamlining of procedures would help -- with supporting infrastructure, such as berthing and charging facilities to be strengthened over the long term.