Asia presents trade opportunities for Australian industry - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 23 Jan 23:00 UTC
Singapore Yachting Festival © marketing.sc
The Marina Industries Association (MIA), the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) and Superyacht Australia are pleased to announce their collaboration at the Singapore Yachting Festival, taking place from 10-13 April at ONE degrees15 Marina Sentosa Cove.
Whilst MIA, AIMEX and Superyacht Australia have participated in previous editions, this marks the first time the bodies have combined at the event, strengthening the Australian presence in the region. Singapore's reputation as the gateway and centre of Asia's marine industry positions the Singapore Yachting Festival as a pivotal platform for developing regional and international marine and marina industry connections whilst showcasing world-class yacht builders, water-sport innovations, and lifestyle brands to a growing Asian market.
However, time is running out to enter the Marina of the Year Awards and gain recognition as one of the industry's finest! In 2023, Marina Mirage was awarded Commercial Marina of the Year (Under 140 Boats). This year's awards feature 12 categories, including two new additions. Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 6 May at the Middle Harbour Skiff Club.
The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has announced General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) as its new Official Automotive and Exclusive Tow Vehicle Partner. BIA CEO Andrew Scott said, "We are delighted to have GMSV decide to partner with the Boating Industry in a demonstration of their support in helping Australians make the most of the great outdoors and assisting boaters get out on the water. GMSV represents premium brands in the tow vehicle category including Chevrolet and GMC."
From Europe, The Magenta Project, a global leader in advancing equity and inclusion in sailing, with a focus on gender, has announced the appointment of new board members, bringing a wealth of experience from the world of sailing and business and ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of empowering women in the sport. Soco Núñez de Cela (ESP) and Holly Cova (GBR) have been appointed co-chairs of the board, while Bruno Dubois (FRA), Cole Brauer (USA), Rosalin Kuiper (NED), Annie Lush (GBR), Ayme Sinclair (NGR / USA) and Jane Millman (USA) join as board members.
Also in Europe, Honda Motor Co presented the world premiere of the new BF300 large-size outboard motor at boot Düsseldorf (the Dusseldorf Boat Show), which is being held in Germany, from 18-26 January. The BF300 will go on sale sequentially in Japan, Europe and Asia regions before the end of 2025.
Fountaine Pajot, distributed in Australia and South East Asia exclusively by The Yacht Sales Company, has just released the world's first web-based 3D catamaran configurator, allowing you to design and visualise your dream catamaran in real time. This groundbreaking tool is now available for the latest addition to the Fountaine Pajot range: the New 41 sailing catamaran. The 3D configurator lets you explore a huge range of interior and exterior design options and layouts, selecting and switching your preferences to create the perfect model reflecting your style and requirements.
Sustainability continues to be a introduced. Australian boat building company, McConaghy Yachts, have introduced the Eco Panther Series, a revolutionary line of fully electric yachts. This groundbreaking series consists of the Panther 40, 48 and 56, with the 68 and 78 models under development. Designed to merge sustainability with cutting-edge performance, these yachts promise to redefine your adventures on the open water, offering exhilarating speed and unmatched agility in a lightweight vessel that turns heads with its striking black topsides and silver sleek sheer lines.
At the same time, Dometic announced the launch of its 2025 marine air conditioning systems, designed with sustainability at their core. New systems utilize newly developed advanced refrigerants with significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) index, aligning with stringent upcoming global environmental regulations.
North American based Freedom Boat Club, the world's largest boat club, recently announced it surpassed 600,000-member boating trips in 2024, marking the second consecutive year the company has achieved this significant milestone. This achievement spans Freedom Boat Club's 400+ locations across North America, Europe, and Australia, reinforcing the company's leadership in expanding access to boating and its unwavering commitment to enhancing the on-water experience for members around the globe.
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Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media