The industry back on the move after the end of year break - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 12 Jan 15:30 PST
Contest 49CS © Contest Yachts
As the title of this website implies, we cover industry news from the whole of the southern Pacific area. The boating industry is global so it makes sense to keep readers advised of changes happening across the whole region. This week we have news of two developments in Asia.
Contest Yachts of Holland, who are premiering two brand-new 50-foot models, the Contest 49CS and 50CS, at Boot Düsseldorf at the end of this month, are delighted to announce the expansion of their dealer network into the Far East with the key appointment of Hong Kong-based Asia Yacht Services as their new distributor for the region.
Contest Yachts CEO Arjen Conijn says, "We have worked previously with Asia Yacht Services' CEO Bart Kimman and are delighted to reconnect in this new relationship. Asia Yacht Services is a high profile, multi-brand dealership with long-standing reputation for top-level service, and our Contest yachts fit well with the company's strategic offering."
Sealegs International Ltd has announced the delivery of two 7.1 meter Sports RIBs to the state of Pahang in Malaysia. The ceremony was held in the capital city state of Pahang, Kuantan on the east coast of the Malaysia peninsular. Sealegs CEO David McKee-Wright said, "It's wonderful to be partnering with the state government of Pahang's initiative to assist in enhancing their flood management efficiency program."
McKee-Wright went on to say "The Chief Minister announced that the craft will be handed over to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force to help flood victims in the region. The state of Pahang's Civil Defence team has had two Sealegs amphibious craft in operation since 2018."
And news of a global operation affecting the region: Borrow A Boat, one of the world's leading boat rental and yacht charter marketplaces with access to more than 45,000 boats in 65+ countries, heads for significant growth in 2023 following a record-breaking year in 2022.
Looking back 2022 has produced a series of impressive advances for the business, including a successful crowdfund raise, multiple acquisitions, and significant year on year revenue growth of over 400%. The group has also expanded into several new countries in the last 12 months including France, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
News of a new product available in the region: Elcome International, a leading provider of maritime systems and integration solutions, is providing SpaceX's Starlink Internet services to its global maritime and mobility customers. From merchant vessels to oil rigs to luxury yachts, Starlink enables maritime customers to connect from the most remote waters around the world, just like they would in the office or at home.
For more than fifty years, Elcome has been providing its maritime customers with communications solutions based on both terrestrial and satellite technology. Starlink is one of the most significant advancements in communications for the maritime industry in decades.
From left to right - Chris McCafferty, Mike Basso, Matt Mrozinski, Randy Buckell, Ted Bromley, Brett Aggen, Rob Scott, Rodney Longhurst, Greg Glogow, Edward Bartoszewski, Javier Perello, - photo © Riviera Australia
Closer to home, Riviera celebrated service excellence with its network of international representatives during a special awards event on Australia's Gold Coast in early December. Representatives from the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, along with team members from Riviera's Americas operation, witnessed Sun Country Marine, based in California in the United States, receive the prestigious International Dealer of the Year award for 2022.
Presenting the award, Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst said that Sun Country Marine had consistently demonstrated "a powerful team environment and a deep commitment to Riviera and our yacht owners." Accepting the award on behalf of Sun Country Marine, Chief Operations Officer Greg Glowgow said, "We are incredibly proud to be a part of the Riviera family. This award is a reflection of an extraordinary team. Our goal every day is to be the best we can be."
More activity involving the Marina Industries Association (MIA): Coral Sea Marina Resort on Queensland's Whitsunday Coast has again been awarded 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation by the 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. Coral Sea Marina Resort is a 520-berth marina at Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, 1100 kilometres north of Brisbane.
The marina resort is a key Queensland tourism destination and springboard for visitors experiencing the Whitsunday Islands which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It has over 20 retail, hospitality, and tourism tenants. The adjacent and recently redeveloped Coral Sea Resort Hotel has 77 rooms on the waterfront, to add to the guest experience. MIA CEO Suzanne Davies praised the marina, which entered the MIA's coveted Marina of the Year Awards (MOTYA) Hall of Fame in 2021.
People making news this week involves Group Beneteau. As part of the Let's Go Beyond! plan and the structuring of the House of Brands, the Groupe Beneteau announces the appointments of Yann Masselot as Chief Brands and Communication Officer for the Boat division and Jean-François Lair as Director of BENETEAU brand.
Masselot joined the Beneteau boatyard in 1992 and worked in sales in the UK then France. In 2000, he was appointed to head up commercial operations for LAGOON and enabling the brand to establish itself as the world leader for catamaran cruisers from 2003. Lair joined the brand in 2005. He successively held the positions of Sales Manager, Export Director then Beneteau America President. He was most recently EMEA Director of LAGOON.
In keeping with our commitment to advising the direction of future propulsion developments in the marine industry, news from Volvo arrived this week: Under the headline 'Boating for everyone', Volvo Penta will use this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to imagine a brave new world for exploring and experiencing life on the water built around accessibility for all. Through an immersive and visionary exhibit, visitors can get an exclusive look at how the company imagines the boating experience of tomorrow.
Volvo Penta aims to kickstart a dialogue with CES attendees and online boating audiences on how to evolve boating together, premiering a future-focused universe, where it will present ground-breaking thinking around a potential new leisure boating experience. This future boating experience will be more open and accessible than ever, designed to heighten people's emotional connection with the water and simultaneously advance sustainability.
More news from the industry next week or view the website www.marinebusinessworld.com
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com