Non Covid future is all positive - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 4 Mar 2021 22:30 PST
Antares 11 Flybridge © Beneteau
Further evidence of a positive return to normality was confirmed this week by the federal government who announced that GDP had increased by 3.1% in the past quarter.
From France, Beneteau, one of the largest leisure boat builders in the world reported 2019-20 revenues: a better end to the year than forecast, thanks in particular to strong demand for outboard boats in line with current boating trends.
Confidence in the marine industry was endorsed in the UK where Cox Powertrain, a leading British manufacturer of high-powered diesel outboard engines for the global marine industry, was pleased to announce it has successfully raised £9 million from existing shareholders and a further £3 million loan from HSBC UK Equipment Finance to allow the company to expand and ramp up production of the market-revolutionising CXO300 outboard engine. Since 2007, Cox Powertrain has been continuously backed by private investors who share the determination and passion for Cox's success. Production of the CXO300 successfully began in May 2020 and since then, the CXO300 has been shipped to over 16 territories across the globe.
At a time when international travel and transport logistics are more complicated than ever, global marine transportation specialist Peters & May is making life simpler for customers by expanding its services to include a full end-to-end delivery option for clients. By partnering with long-established yacht delivery provider, Reliance Yacht Management, Peters & May is now able to take the hassle out of boat relocations by offering to professionally transport vessels from berth to berth across the globe.
Locally, Superyacht Australia, the peak body for the Australian Superyacht Industry, hosted the 2021 Superyacht Australia Soirée in partnership with Benetti Yachts at Jones Bay Marina last Saturday 27 February, 2021. With international travel not permitted and foreign flagged cruise ships unable to operate, many families are considering chartering a yacht to cruise or celebrate important milestones. Fortunately, with the passing of the Special Recreational Vessel (SRV) Act in December 2019, international superyachts can also enter Australia and provide additional capacity into this booming market.
And further indications of life returning to normal is the advice that entry to Airlie Beach Race Week 2021 is open and organisers at Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) are confident of large numbers following the success of last year's event, one of the rare major sporting events to go ahead in Australia since March 2020, and yachties are keen to return to racing following a hiatus. Last year's Whitsundays Festival of Sailing was held under strict COVID regulations which have been relaxed in recent times. Competitors will be pleased to see the Festival Village return following last year's scaled back event. Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Tash Wheeler, says she is thrilled to see the return of Airlie Beach Race Week in 2021.
New people this week includes the appointment of Cameron Robinson as Business Development Manager - Australia and New Zealand at Propspeed. Robinson has relocated from New Zealand to Australia to develop key partnerships and service new clients.
Born and raised on Auckland's North Shore, Robinson left school to pursue a career in yacht building for world-renowned Cookson Boats. With over a decade of experience, he worked on various race circuits throughout New Zealand, Australia, the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. Robinson worked closely with a number of high-profile sports teams; as well as private owners with highlights including breaking many offshore records on the Rambler 100 maxi yacht, working on the Volvo Ocean Race and winning the America's Cup with Team New Zealand in Bermuda in 2017. His most recent positions include sales for Tesla and shore support for the America's Cup Emirates Team New Zealand.
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Peter Rendle peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com