LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- The swanky and exclusive super-yacht market is bracing itself for a storm -- off the water . Pondering his boats ? Despite a softening of the super-yacht market , Roman Abramovich will likely keep his fleet . The industry has bucked trends of other sectors with massive growth in recent years , but , the current international financial woes mean the uber-rich are poised to leave the plain rich behind as the market tightens . With estimations that hundreds of billions , or even trillions , of dollars will be wiped from the assets of the world 's wealthiest businessmen and women , the super-yacht industry is sure to be one market that suffers . Although it is reserved mainly for the wealthy , dire predictions for the super-yacht world should be of concern to many , given that Superyacht UK estimates the industry is worth more than £350 million and provides employment to over 3,500 people . So , could the credit crisis be enough to crunch the industry altogether ? Superyacht UK 's international development manager Tom Chant told CNN the answer was `` no '' , but it could have an impact at the lower end of the market . Chant said there were some signs that demand was `` softening '' for smaller super-yachts -- boats in the range of 30 to 40 meters long and usually worth anywhere between £1 million and £5 million . `` There has been a softening of demand for smaller super-yachts . These people are usually immune to these sorts of things . But now , maybe it has finally filtered all the way to the top , '' he said . The softening in this area of the market could also affect re-sale prices , which until now had been very stable , he said . The lower to middle market received a further blow recently when UK super-yacht building company Devonport Yachts , announced its closure . However , at the other end of the scale , things are n't looking so worrisome . Recent figures suggest that the top end of the super-yacht market is holding firm -- at least for now . A Super-yachting Index compiled by The Luxury Institute with yacht broker and charter company Camper & Nicholson 's International , found that new orders for yachts over 130 feet are up nearly 20 percent in 2008 . • See pictures of the world 's top super-yachts . These figures continue a longer-term trend within the market . Last year there were 254 new orders for super-yachts over 130-feet , up from 134 orders in 2005 . This increase is even more drastic when looking back a decade to 1997 . Then , there were just 241 yachts longer than 80 foot being built across the globe . By 2007 this number had soared to 916 vessels . Chant said the credit crisis was n't an issue for the attendees of the Monaco Yacht Show in September . `` At the Monaco show we had the first news of the credit crunch really hitting then . People did n't really raise an eyebrow , '' he said . And despite the weakening in the lower end of the market , Chant said the 60 meter-plus category was still `` very strong '' , with most of the build slots at major ship-builders still full . So , it seems likely the super wealthy owners such as Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich , Microsoft 's Paul Allen , and Oracle 's Larry Ellison should be shielded . There 's no greater evidence of this than Roman Abramovich 's latest project . Reportedly named the Eclipse , the super-yacht is expected to be about 160 meters long and become the biggest on the planet . Although no firm details have been released about the project , rumors have included a £250 million price tag , and the inclusion of two helicopter pads . However , not all super-yacht owners possess the fortune Abramovich does , and those without such giant financial backing may be forced to leave the market . Chant said some owners of smaller vessels may look to share ownership or charter their vessel out more often in order to maintain possession . `` Chartering is the big way to make money ... it is a good way to get some money back , '' he said . Tim Wiltshire , director and sales broker at international yacht company Burgess Yachts , said the chartering market was expected to stay reasonably strong , although it could be affected by people wanting to spend less money on holidays . `` We certainly have n't seen a crash . We are looking at people being more concerned about how they spend their money , so we may see a price realignment . `` But the demand will be there . There are plenty of people on the planet that want to go boating . Some people may not want to buy and may charter instead , '' he said . So , if the financial crisis does n't worsen too much in the coming six months , the lower end super-yacht owners may yet be able to stay in the market .
The super - yacht industry is estimated to be worth £ 350 million in the UK . Sales of large super - yachts are steady while the smaller yacht market is declining . Super - yacht owners can make money by selling or buying their yacht .