Winter has arrived early - time to take stock - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 2 Jun 2022 22:00 UTC
Marinas22 Conference © Cam H / Event Photos Australia
It's not just the winter weather that has arrived early along the east coast of Australia. World events are a major influence on the economic circumstances in Australia and rising interest rates and inflation are challenges that all industries need to address. Stock shortages due to supply chain delays are already affecting the ability of marine importers to deliver on time.
However, the industry is resilient and the side affects of the pandemic introduced a new generation of boating enthusiasts who worked out quickly that boating offered a welcome relief from social distancing and lockdown restrictions. Several events that have taken place reflect that the desire to go boating is as strong as ever.
Marinas22 International Conference and Trade Exhibition reaffirmed its place as one of the largest marina industry conferences in the world, after welcoming over 320 attendees across the two days on the Gold Coast last week. The program brought together a fantastic line up of speakers that inspired delegates to capitalise on the strength of the industry through its relevant and thought-provoking content.
The conference was opened by the Hon. Michael Healy, Queensland Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development - a strong supporter of the industry - who highlighted the measures in place for future sector growth. An economic overview, forecast and implications for industry was delivered by Tapas Strickland, NAB Chief Markets Economist, before Ashley Fell, Demographer and Social Researcher and Director of Advisory at McCrindle Research outlined the changing consumer and demographic trends and the opportunities ahead for the marina industry.
The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show kept the Multihull Solutions team busy with very strong interest over the event despite the challenging weather. The company staged the premiere of the NEEL 43 trimaran, which was showcased alongside Fountaine Pajot's Elba 45 sailing catamaran. Following the event, Multihull Solutions expects to finalise orders on an impressive number of models, including two Fountaine Pajot Isla 40s and Elba 45s, an Astréa 42 and Aura 51 sailing catamarans, two NEEL 43 trimarans and a NEEL 51. Multihull Solutions New Yacht Sales Manager Greg Boller said the results were extremely satisfying considering the poor weather throughout the show.
Between the ASMEX Conference and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard and AIMEX hosted their annual VIP Dinner, gathering guests drawn from the superyacht industry, conference speakers, visiting delegations and media. The venue was Ioesco Café Cucina, the landmark Italian restaurant in the centre of the Marine Village, surrounded by exhibitors setting up for the 33rd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Steve Fisher, Rivergate's Director of International Business, and Director, Tom Hill welcomed the 27 guests to what was the 11th annual event, and the first in two years to include international visitors.
"The Rivergate-AIMEX VIP Dinner is always a significant event," said Jeremy Spear, AIMEX President and Managing Director of Spear Green Design. "Aside from the good food, good company and the chance to relax and unwind among friends, it's a fantastic opportunity to discuss industry issues and make new connections."
Looking to the future the Sydney International Boat Show plans are well under way. Tickets are now on sale for the five-day celebration of everything in, on and around the water from 28 July to 1 August 2022 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney and Cockle Bay in Sydney's Darling Harbour. The Show is a must-attend marine extravaganza, attracting more than 60,000 visitors to Australia's largest recreational boating lifestyle event.
This year's event is a seawater spectacular guaranteed to entice visitors of all ages and interests with hundreds of boats on show, world and Australian premieres, sneak peeks, cutting-edge gear and gadgets, and showstopping entertainment. The Sydney show will debut a new look with live attractions and more interactive lifestyle offerings including in-pool demonstrations and family-friendly entertainment on the 5000sqm open-air Event Deck, fishing demonstrations, cooking tips and marine education on the Main Stage and roving entertainers adding to the festive atmosphere.
And for traditionalists who want access to thousands of boat owners why not have a stall at one of the best wooden boat festivals in the world! With over 80+ stalls available throughout the waterfront site, the AWBF (Australian Wooden Boat Festival) welcomes applications from all sorts of exhibitors - and as long as they sell a nautical product or provide a nautical service, the AWBF welcomes the application. Over the years the Commercial Exhibitor space has grown, and they now have a dictated zone (Princes Wharf 1) for all nautical needs while the "Not-For-Profits" are generally dispersed through the site.
More encouraging news was received from Queensland. Leading Australian refit and repair provider, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), has been announced as a world finalist in the 2022 ACREW Superyacht Business Awards. The global award finalists were announced late last week, with GCCM in strong contention for The Best Refit Yard Award for the third consecutive year.
In the ultimate endorsement, these international awards acknowledge and celebrate the best refit and repair businesses in the world, as voted by a network of over 15,000 Captain and Crew Members. Nominations for the highly coveted awards come from leading Superyacht Captains from around the world who put forward businesses they believe deserve global recognition, for being the best in their field. GCCM is one of only five finalists in the refit class worldwide for 2022.
Following our expended industry coverage to include the South Pacific we are happy to bring you news from Singapore. ONE degrees15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore has been awarded the 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation by the Marina Industries Association (MIA). This Global accreditation is the highest accolade that the industry awards and is reserved for marinas which offer their customers a comprehensive unique marina experience by providing tailored personalised service and an outstanding array of high-quality facilities and amenities.
The ONE degrees15 Marina Sentosa Cove is a premium waterfront lifestyle destination offering 270 wet berths, including 32 suited to superyachts, and 60 dry berths; facilities include an infinity pool, fitness centre, members' lounge, modern spa, tennis courts, restaurants and bars, and a luxury 26 room hotel.
And from Hong Kong, the highly-anticipated Grand Trawler 62 finally hit the waters on Beneteau Power Days-Hong Kong from May 26th to 28th, marking her debut in Asia Pacific. This event, which was organised by dealer Simpson Marine and greatly supported by Beneteau Asia Pacific, was a huge success, attracting attentions from both media and potential customers.
During the event, a fleet of five Beneteau powerboats were on display, including the Grand Trawler 62, the Swift Trawler 44, the Gran Turismo 41, the Antares 11 and the Flyer 9, to fully demonstrate the versatility of Beneteau's power range, from day boat to cruising yacht.
Then from New Zealand and with a DNA in high-speed racing, SailGP Technologies officially launched this week to deliver leading edge, applied innovations from sea to space. With award-winning capabilities in design, manufacturing, engineering, software and systems, SailGP Technologies intend to lead the way in high-performance, sustainable design and applied technologies. With the main facility based in Warkworth, New Zealand, SailGP Technologies is rooted in decades of experience at the forefront of cutting-edge sail racing.
Most recently developing the high performance F50 catamarans that power the world's fastest growing, purpose-led global sailing racing league - SailGP. The continual development of design tools, techniques and methods to revolutionise the race at sea, will now be applied to similar engineering challenges across water, land and space. CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: "With over two decades of experience at the forefront of design and technical innovation, now is the right time to launch SailGP Technologies. We will not only apply this expertise to other sectors, but also use it to help create a higher-performing, greener and better future."
More industry news is available at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania
Stay safe and warm,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com