Superyachts To Use London Docks for Olympic Dockage
The Royal Docks of London including Victoria Dock, Albert Dock and King George V Dock are setting their sights on becoming a Monaco style venue for super yachts following news that the Informa Yacht Group seeks to add the river Thames to its portfolio of superyacht events that it organises in amongst others: Abu Dhabi, Antigua, and Monaco.
It has been revealed that the company has been in talks with the Port of London Authority (PLA) who operate the docks and City Hall suggesting upgrades the 280-acre Royal Docks, which will offer some of the most prized waterfront berths in in time for the London Olympics in 2012. Superyachts could be berthed in the Royal Victoria Dock adjacent to the ExCeL arena, its self a venue for several Olympic and Paralympic sport events.
Informa is proposing a full maritime programme in the build-up to the Games in association with those being promoted by the Royal Yachting Association. Proposals include a tall ships race, “extreme sailing” and a leg of the round-Britain powerboat race. Plans would likely require approval from the organisers of Olympics with, much of the Royal Docks area is expected to fall within a security cordon set up by them, a decision on what will be organised is therefore expected next summer.
Use of the private jet terminal at the nearby London City Airport is likely to be a big lure for super yacht owners seeking to watch the Olympic Games and retire each day to the luxury and security of their superyacht on the Thames
