METS returns positive feedback for marine industry future - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 25 Nov 2021 14:00 PST
Plenty of interest at the Cyclops Marine stand during METSTRADE 2021 © Chips Howarth
Despite a late suggestion that due to rising Covid cases METS would be cancelled yet again, it was allowed to go ahead with restrictions stepped up to address any issues. This year saw the world's largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems reinforce its pivotal role as the beating heart of the industry by bringing to Amsterdam 11,936 industry professionals for effective meeting, researching, and networking.
The show simultaneously served its wider audience by launching the METSTRADE Connect virtual platform and METSTRADE TV channel. The show, held on 16-18 November, assembled a total of 1105 exhibitors from 44 countries covering every facet of marine equipment. This was just 13 percent down on the originally expected exhibitor total, following the choice of some businesses to withdraw at the last moment due to pandemic concerns.
Among a number of product awards made at the show, Garmin® International, the world's largest electronics manufacturer, announced that its Surround View Camera System, the marine industry's first intelligent camera system to offer a live 360-degree birds-eye view of a vessel, was selected as a category winner in the 2021 DAME Design Awards. Surround View received top honours in the 'Marine Electronics and Marine Related Software' category.
Sail-World was represented at the show by Managing Editor Mark Jardine who, among other meetings, recorded this interview with Dr Ivar Kruusenberg, CEO and founder of PowerUP Energy Technologies, at METSTRADE 2021 to find out more about their fuel cell generators which use pure hydrogen gas as fuel, work silently, generating electricity and producing water as the only by-product.
Meanwhile, back in Australia, thousands of Aussies are stepping away from dry land and shifting their ventures to their local waterways in an effort to sidestep the cabin fever of closed borders and redefine the meaning of a holiday from home. As the country sees an all-time spike in spending locally and the investment in local leisure products, the marine industry has seen record highs with unseen numbers of new entrants fleeting to the boating lifestyle.
Boating Industry Australia (BIA) records that in the last 12 months, the number of Australian boat license holders has climbed by more than 60,000 people, bringing statistics to a total of more than 2.5 million boaties. The boating capital of Australia, Queensland, has seen the most drastic incline statistically; during both the 2019 and 2020 financial year, the BIA recorded a consistent increase of boat license holders by 3% respectively year on year. Today Queensland can lay claim to the largest number of boat license holders, with 956,000 people certified.
More evidence of boating interest in Australia was provided by Beneteau. The second edition of The Boating Rendezvous - Sydney was completed successfully on November 14th with organisers overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the sailing aficionados and keen boaters with over 150 visitors attending the 3-day event took place at the vibrant Darling Harbor. The show featured three boating brands Beneteau, Excess Catamarans and Lagoon Catamarans with ten models on display, highlighting new boat launches, vessel manoeuvring sessions, onboard visits and sea trials, together to celebrate the newfound freedom in the country.
New boats this week includes the launch of X4.3 from X-Yachts. The moment was witnessed and toasted in champagne by X-Yachts dealers from around the globe, well knowing that this new member of the Pure X line will soon become the most popular model of all X-Yachts. Prior to the launch, key riggers and boatbuilders worked hard to get the mast stepped and tuned, and to get the most necessary details ready for the first sea trials that were due on the following days. The NEW X4.3 has gone through a serious makeover with a completely new hull and deck design together with many other improvements since its successful predecessor that was sold in more than 100 pcs.
Overseas, Auckland's newest marine precinct is rapidly taking shape with the construction of two large boat sheds, a massive 840m2 canopied undercover boat yard area, and seven marine trade units well under way. In total, the new precinct will offer 1400m2 of undercover space, along with a huge expanse of uncovered clean concrete hardstand area.
Further North in Pattaya, Thailand and following the successes of its Phuket base and its exclusive lounge at Phuket Boat Lagoon, V Yachts Asia, the exclusive dealer for such Ferretti Group brands as Ferretti, Pershing and Riva to Thailand has officially opened its new office in the coastal Thai city of Pattaya this month.
And finally, a seasoned yacht skipper is looking for yachts to deliver. Professional Yacht Captain, Jeff Hanlon, is now available for all yacht deliveries Australia and Pacific wide. Jeff is an MCA/RYA commercially endorsed Superyacht Captain with over 200,000 offshore sea miles and 40 years experience now residing back in Australia and available for all your yachting needs. No job too small.
More industry news appears on the official MarineBusinessWorld.com website, the largest marine industry digital new source in Oceania. Feel free to send us your latest industry updates for posting.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com