News from the big end of town this week - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 23 Mar 2023 16:00 PDT
ASMEX 2023 Superyacht Conference announces international keynote speakers © ASMEX
While the size of the superyacht market is a minority ownership issue, this marine segment plays a pivotal part of the industry around employment and suppliers.
Superyacht Australia is pleased to announce two international Keynote Speakers who will be on stage at the one-day ASMEX Superyacht Conference to be held on Tuesday May 23rd at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Mohammed Alshaali (Chairman, Gulf Craft Inc) will travel from Dubai to address delegates on the development and global expansion of Gulf Craft and his own personal journey of establishing some of the most recognised and award-winning brands in the global luxury yachting sector plus the significant government positions he has held during his illustrious career.
Erin Ackor (President, International Superyacht Society) will travel from Florida to present on the current and upcoming plans and projects to expand their international membership to strengthen the society's position as the single industry voice for issues affecting the yachting marketplace globally.
Last week, Superyacht Australia, the peak body for the Australian Superyacht industry, hosted the fourth annual Superyacht Soirée in partnership with Benetti Yachts at Jones Bay Marina and welcomed a record number of participating vessels, sponsors and guests.
First introduced in 2020 to commemorate the passing of the Special Recreational Vessel Act in December 2019, the Superyacht Australia Soirée is Australia's largest luxury lifestyle event for superyachts, serving as an annual platform to showcase the industry in Sydney and promote charters to Australian and South Pacific destinations.
Staying with events, tickets are now on sale for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) from May 25th to 28th on the Gold Coast. Exhibitor space is sold out, with every inch of the Sanctuary Cove precinct covered in everything the marine world has to offer. Loaded with motor yachts, sailboats, pleasure craft, gear and gadgets, this year's Show promises something for everyone, with a host of national and international product launches, and exciting displays with everything from superyachts to fishing tinnies, SUPs to eFoils, boat accessories to water toys.
Attracting more than 45,000 attendees and 300-plus exhibitors, SCIBS is the Southern Hemisphere's marquee marine event, showcasing more than 600 boats and over 1,000 marine products across four spectacular days. Now in its 34th year, SCIBS has grown to become Australia's largest and most respected marine showcase. The Show's reputation both in Australia and around the world makes it one of the most highly anticipated events in the marine industry.
Also in Queensland, the saying "from little things big things grow" rings true for Mackay entrepreneurs Asher and Julie Telford, whose fledgling company, Wildcat Mackay, has just been announced Australia's best new tourism business. Accepting the Gold award at the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, hosted by Sydney's Dolton House - Darling Island, on Saturday night, Julie Telford said for a business launched at the height of the pandemic, Wildcat had not only met, but exceeded expectations, virtually against all odds.
"To say the cards were stacked against us would be an understatement, so to be recognised as Australia's best new tourism business is testament to the innovation and tenacity involved, and proof of our ability to design and develop new tourism experiences that people want," she said.
Defying tough economic times, Greenline Yachts, the worldwide leader in alternative propulsion motorboats and pioneer of hybrid yachts, is expanding its network of dealers in key territories including Malta, the Netherlands, Germany, Vietnam and New Zealand. The strategic global partnerships will enable the Slovenian luxury yacht builder to expand its sales reach amidst fast-growing demand.
EYachts, which has been Greenline's exclusive dealer in Australia for almost ten years, is now managing Greenline Yachts also in New Zealand. Run by one of the giants of the yachting industry in Australia and New Zealand, managing director Peter Hrones, Eyachts is expert in bringing cutting edge boat designs to the Australasian market and setting trends down under.
In Europe, VETUS have announced a new purpose-built HQ. The waterfront and purpose-built headquarters will be constructed in the same neighbourhood of Schiedam where VETUS founder Willem den Ouden started the business from his home, nearly 60 years ago. The plans for the new 9,500 m2 facility offer a thoughtfully laid out office space to encourage collaboration and creativity and will vastly improve the employee environment.
It will also increase the warehouse space to double the current capacity, as part of company's growth strategy and will be able to cater for the evolving needs of VETUS customers. Additionally, the location will offer better facilities to showcase products and conduct in-water tests with dedicated mooring spaces for demo boats.
Back in Sydney, the Ensign Yachts team held another successful viewing showcase out of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Sydney Harbour on 25th February. The day brought clear skies and light winds, perfect for showing off a few of the premium new boat brands. The Ensign team enjoyed meeting so many interested boaties on the morning and showing them on board.
On display they had the beautiful Tofinou 9.7, the elegant Rhéa 730 Timonier, and the versatile Nautitech 40 Open. One of the viewers was the lucky owner of a new Nautitech 40 Open which is soon to be delivered. At their next viewing event, they plan to add more premium models to the showcase with a Bavaria C50, Rhea 23, and Tofinou 12. For further updates on future Ensign viewings, please register your interest now.
And in New South Wales, Australia, the NSW Liberal and Nationals have pledged a $33.7 million to ensure the health of coastal waterways across NSW as part of the State's first ever Dredging Strategy. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said regular dredging would provide long-term benefits to the State's waterways.
"Waterways in our regional communities are not only beautiful, they are a massive drawcard for tourism, fishing, recreation and regional events, generating $2 billion in revenue and economic activity for NSW," Mr Toole said. "For too long, dredging in NSW has been funded, managed and delivered in a case-by-case way - reacting to major weather events when they come, river by river."
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com