IT may only be January but one Hampshire firm is already making waves in the marine industry in 2013.

Fareham-based Walcon Marine Ltd is set to dive into the unknown after winning a £1m contract to construct the first ever purpose-built yacht marina on the east coast of Africa.

The EnglishPoint Marina will form the centrepiece of a new luxury resort in Mombasa, Kenya.

It will contain hotels, apartments and a water sports centre as well as retail and leisure units.

The ambitious scheme has been bankrolled by the wealthy Kanji brothers, who have been in direct contact with Walcon Marine Ltd during the design process.

The company is currently one of a host of firms from across Hampshire exhibiting at this year’s London Boat Show.

Clive Kemp, commercial director at the firm, said: “We have been working on this deal for four years so it’s great to be given the contract.

“These are exciting times for us, definitely, to be involved in such a contract.

“We have worked in some terrific places in five continents, but this is right up there because it’s new and fresh for us.

“We are sure that EnglishPoint will become a popular destination not only for local residents but also for visitors from Europe and the Middle East.

“It’s amazing to think it’s the first marina being constructed in East Africa and it’s being done by a little company in Fareham."

Work on the marina is set to be completed by the end of June.