Hong Kong and Macao yachts gain access to the GBA

The first group of 20 yachts from Hong Kong and Macao officially entered approved ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Zhongshan today, marking their maiden voyage under a new cross-border yacht policy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

According to an announcement by the State Council, Hong Kong and Macao yachts are now exempt from posting financial guarantees when entering the Chinese mainland through designated ports in nine GBA cities. They may also apply for temporary ship nationality registration, allowing them to navigate solely within these cities without affecting their original registration.

The exemption significantly reduces the financial burden on yacht owners during cross-border procedures. Meanwhile, the temporary registration system enables eligible yachts to obtain mainland-issued temporary nationality certificates while retaining their original registration, paving the way for individual yacht travel within Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

The policy is expected to boost the free flow of yachts between Guangdong and the two special administrative regions, promote mutual recognition of yacht licenses and crew certificates, and accelerate the development of cross-border tourism products.

To enter the Chinese mainland, yacht owners must submit an application for temporary international ship certification to the maritime administration in advance. The certificate, valid for one year, will be issued within four working days. During its validity period, multiple entries and exits are permitted, with a maximum stay of 180 days per entry and a cumulative annual limit of 180 days.

Industry observers note that as more Hong Kong yachts sail northward to Guangdong, pressure on berths and maintenance services in Hong Kong could ease. The policy is also expected to drive deeper integration between the tourism and maritime industries across the GBA.

In November 2024, the Guangdong Provincial Government unveiled a development plan for the yacht industry covering 2024 to 2027. By 2027, Guangdong aims to grow the market value of the yacht sector and related industries to over 100 billion yuan (US$13.8 billion), with registered yachts reaching 4,000 units.