Beneteau announces purchase of second shipyard in Portugal

Beneteau Group has purchased a new shipyard in northern Portugal, thereby strengthening its production capacity for small powerboats under 40 feet. 

Located in Gandra, the former Rodman Lusitania shipyard covers nearly 60,000 square metres, including 20,000 square metres of plant and warehouse space. The site will resume its activity in 2022, after lying dormant for several years.

The news comes shortly after Beneteau Group announced the acquisition of the Starfisher production site in nearby Campos. The two Portuguese shipyards are located about ten kilometers apart, and will be grouped together in GB Portugal Lda, the Portuguese subsidiary of Beneteau Groupe. 

“Beneteau Group is pursuing the organisation of its industrial activity by type and size of boat,” says Jérôme de Metz, chairman and CEO of Groupe Beneteau. “This acquisition will enable us to consolidate our presence in Portugal to serve the very dynamic market for small powerboats for dayboating*.” 

Metz says the new shipyard will support Beneteau Group’s Polish and American sites currently dedicated to the small powerboat market. The Group’s mid-sized boats (up to 60ft) are produced in France, while large units from 60 to 80ft are built in France and Italy.

The new company says it will ultimately produce around 1,000 boats per year and employ around 700 people.

*Dayboating market: powerboats below 40ft in length.