Chinese-made ‘mega-dinghy’ boats push average Channel crossing to 66.5 people

The average Channel-crossing dinghy carried 66.5 people in the first six months of 2026, up from about 41 in 2022, as smuggling networks switch to larger Chinese-made inflatable boats, a Guardian investigation found.

French authorities have recorded 11 “mega-dinghy” crossings so far this year. One vessel that arrived in the UK in the early hours of 15 August carried 230 people, the highest number the investigation records. Another, with 173 people on board, capsized after an engine fire.

Supply chain and pricing

The boats are supplied by Wuxi Funsor Marine Equipment, a subsidiary of Weihai Yamar Outdoors Product Co Ltd, the Guardian reports. A sales manager told undercover reporters the company could supply a seven- or eight-metre military-style dinghy for $1,678 (£1,238) per boat without engines, and that it could produce 500 boats a month. The manager said larger vessels were available for the right price, but the boats would lack CE certification, the mark required for EU health and safety standards.

The investigation traced a route from China through Turkey, with boats stored in Germany and distributed via Belgium and France.

Enforcement

Turkish national Adem Savas was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and a €400,000 fine after pleading guilty to supplying inflatable boats, outboard engines and equipment to gangs across Europe between 2019 and 2024. The National Crime Agency said his supplies enabled thousands of crossings.

The shift to larger vessels raises the stakes for EU and UK enforcement agencies before the autumn crossing season.