Australia's Unemployment Figures Reflect Business Confidence
by Peter Rendle 15 Apr 15:00 PDT
55 acre Sth and Nth The Boat Works footprint © The Boat Works
With the latest Australia unemployment figures significantly down in the past quarter and business confidence higher than in the past 14 years, there is every reason for the marine industry to remain optimistic. A number of recent developments reflect that outlook.
In Queensland just one year after the completion of the $100 million marine infrastructure expansion which resulted in the world-class superyacht facility and marina berths, The Boat Works has ushered in Stage 3, a new services hub for marine professionals, representing an additional $30 million investment. The new workshop expansion is the final opportunity for marine businesses to secure tenancies in the two yards located in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and demand is high, with over 60 percent already leased. Construction has been spurred on due to the high demand of boats, an exponential growth triggered since opening the additional Northern yard. This extra capacity has attracted vessels from 24-metres through to 75-metres in length, for both in- and out-of-water service, maintenance and refit requirements.
In Victoria, ideally nested in Port Phillip, the Geelong Waterfront is one of the most popular seaside locations in Victoria. The marina is part of a large waterfront development offering various tourist and recreational points of interest, including the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC). RGYC is well known for organising the Festival of Sails amongst other major events. Poralu Marine, an international leader in marina design and construction, has just completed a major project in Victoria at RGYC as the main general contractor for a turn-key entire multi-million-dollar project including design and installation. Poralu Marine engineered and delivered a perfect hybrid and resilient solution: a heavy duty wide floating concrete wave attenuator to protect the first stage of a brand new aluminium-made marina and to benefit of all the advantages of this high-tech metal. The harbour that could previously shelter 280 berths has been completely remodelled simultaneously with the waterfront. The fixed jetties will eventually be replaced by the floating versatile system to offer around 360 berths which can moor boats ranging from 8-27 meters.
Boat Shows are back on track. Visitors to the 2021 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will be spoilt for choice with an extensive range of boats on display at the Multihull Solutions and The Yacht Sales Co stand. The two companies, which represent the world's leading multihull and monohull brands, will be exhibiting some of the most popular sail and power models at the Gold Coast event from 20-23 May. Multihull Solutions will showcase the Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 sailing catamaran, the new MY5 power catamaran by Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts, and the ILIAD 50 by ILIAD Catamarans. In a boat show highlight, sister company The Yacht Sales Co will host the Asia Pacific premiere of the Dufour 470.
Overseas, with in-person events expected to go ahead later this year, the global leisure marine sector is anticipating the return of METSTRADE 2021 in Amsterdam (16-18 November). RAI Amsterdam has announced the parameters for this pre-eminent event which promises to be well attended by both exhibitors and visitors. The main goal of RAI Amsterdam and its partner ICOMIA will be to host a safe and successful in-person event in Hall 1-7 and the Elicium building of the RAI Convention Centre. With over 1,100 exhibitors already signed-up, preparations are well under way for METSTRADE 2021. RAI Amsterdam is carefully planning for different scenarios and will be deploying its robust and comprehensive protocol to enable a safe and comfortable return to in-person meetings. The Early Bird deadline for exhibitor registration will end on May 1 and the aim is to complete the allocation of show floor spaces in July.
New appointments this week include Whitehaven Motor Yacht who have appointed Sydney-based brokerage house, Australian Marine Sales, as their exclusive dealer to Sydney Harbour for the elite, semi custom-build motor yacht brand. Headed by Jane McNeill and Travis McCurry, Australian Marine Sales has started the relationship with the sale of the latest 6800 Sports Yacht currently under construction with its long-term yacht building partner New Ocean Yachts in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. "We met Jane two years ago at the launch of the Harbour Classic 40. She had spent several years building up Australian Marine Sales in the recreational boating market with great success and had developed a strong network of customers, many of whom are Whitehaven owners," states Mr Bruce Scott, Managing Director of Whitehaven Motor Yachts. "It was clear we both shared a common goal and ethos of not adhering to the well-trodden path and so we set about developing the relationship which we are now proud to announce."
New products: Intellian is pleased to confirm that its newly-launched v45C antenna has been qualified for operation on the Intelsat FlexMaritime network. By combining Intellian's compact, high-performance antenna with Intelsat's cutting-edge FlexMaritime High Throughput Satellite (HTS) service, this approval will deliver global connectivity to customers in the smallest package available to date. Until now, service providers have required antennas of 60cm or larger to deliver high throughput services owing to the higher power demanded by smaller units, but with the advent of HTS technology teamed with innovative antenna design, the use of more compact antennas has become possible. The v45C has been developed to bring VSAT to new markets where there is limited space available for communications equipment, such as workboats, leisure craft, fishing boats, small commercial and government vessels.
New construction materials: Coosa Panels consist of high-density polyurethane foam reinforced with layers of fibreglass. The no-rot and light-weight advantages of high-density foam combined with the structural properties of fiberglass make Coosa panels an excellent replacement for wood and other traditional core materials. Manufactured in the USA, Coosa Panels are used internationally throughout the marine, industrial and transportation industries in structural and non-structural applications, offering superior resiliency and endurance. They are lightweight and not subject to water, rot or insect infestation. Dimensionally stable, they are available in a variety of densities and thicknesses, boast low water absorption and do not attract mould and fungus that destroy wood. In the marine sector, Coosa Panels meet the most demanding requirements for structural and aesthetic components in a variety of craft including pleasure craft and commercial and military vessels. Coosa Bluewater Panels are a high density, closed-cell polyurethane foam reinforced with woven roving and continuous strand fiberglass.
Stay Safe,
Peter Rendle, Peter.Rendle@marinebusinessworld.com