Key facts
- Chinese companies are selling large dinghies, some measuring up to 15 meters, to facilitate migrant crossings.
- A recent 'mega-dinghy' crossing brought a record 230 people to the UK.
- The average number of people per dinghy has risen significantly since 2018, reaching 66.5 in early 2026.
- Weihai Yamar, a Chinese company previously sanctioned by the UK, is linked to the supply of these vessels.
- A Turkish national, Adem Savas, pleaded guilty to people-smuggling, having supplied equipment for thousands of Channel crossings.
- Europol and migration experts attribute the trend to increased law enforcement pressure and the gangs' pursuit of profitability.
A new and perilous model of Channel crossing is emerging, characterized by the use of 'mega-dinghies' capable of carrying significantly larger numbers of migrants. Chinese manufacturers are offering these vessels, some measuring up to 15 meters, with prices around $1,678 per boat for military-style models lacking mandatory EU health and safety certification. These boats are often restricted to sale within China, requiring clients to handle export and certification themselves.
This trend is exemplified by a recent crossing that brought a record 230 people to the UK, and another incident where a dinghy carrying 173 people capsized. Analysis of Home Office figures shows a dramatic increase in the average number of people per dinghy since 2018, rising from seven to 66.5 by mid-2026. These are no longer small boats, but large, often overcrowded vessels.
The supply chain for these mega-dinghies appears to be linked to organized crime. Wuxi Funsor Marine Equipment, a subsidiary of Weihai Yamar Outdoors Product Co Ltd, has been identified as a supplier. Weihai Yamar was previously sanctioned by the UK for selling rigid inflatable boats to people-smuggling gangs. The likely onward journey of these boats can be traced through individuals like Adem Savas, a Turkish national identified by the National Crime Agency as a key enabler of crossings. Between 2019 and 2024, Savas allegedly supplied inflatable boats, engines, and equipment to gangs across Europe, facilitating thousands of Channel crossings and generating millions in profit. The boats were largely sourced from China, transported through Turkey and Bulgaria, and stored in Germany before distribution to smuggling networks in Belgium and France, with logistics facilitated by a Netherlands-based haulage firm.
Europol confirmed awareness of this development and is working with French and UK authorities through a dedicated taskforce. Experts suggest the shift to larger boats is a response to increased law enforcement pressure on supply chains and a strategy to maximize profitability by packing more people onto fewer vessels. Savas pleaded guilty to people-smuggling charges and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with his co-defendants receiving combined sentences of 38 years.