South East Asia's boating participation continues to grow - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 31 Mar 2023 11:00 NZDT
Auckland Boat Show 2023 © Chris Cameron
As the amount of boating participation continues to grow in the South East Asia region, we believe that the industry deserves to know what news is emerging from the area.
"It's all good news," said one exhibitor, when describing the Auckland Boat Show, which closed on Sunday after a four-day event. Reports of strong sales, quality attendees and a public ready to purchase have set the tone for the return of the Show, which ran in sunny Auckland conditions. At the first Show since 2019, the fully-booked event allowed exhibitors to display 112 boats, and more than 500 marine brands in a central Auckland location.
Exhibitors have reported strong trading across the range of marine displays; from berths to large yachts. As the central Auckland location has filled with boats, sea trials and suppliers, the boating public has demonstrated a strong appetite for new marine purchases.
In response to the unprecedented growth in South East Asia's yachting market, The Yacht Sales Co and Multihull Solutions have announced a new sales centre, new senior appointments and new brands to their portfolio. The sister companies will open a third Thailand sales centre on Saturday 1 April at Ocean Marina Jomtien. Conveniently located in Chon Buri, the new centre complements the companies' other two Thai Sales Centres in Phuket's Boat Lagoon and Yacht Haven Marina.
The Yacht Sales Co and Multihull Solutions are the exclusive Southeast Asia dealers for the world's leading brands, including Fountaine Pajot, Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts, Maritimo, NEEL Trimarans, Cora Cat, Absolute Yachts (Thailand), Dufour Yachts (Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore) and Tesoro Yachts (Thailand and Singapore).
Wade Pearce, Founder of SG Marine Guide, is proud to announce that the Southeast Asia Yachting Conference will take place on 26 April 2023 at ONE degrees15 Marina, Sentosa Cove, and will lead into the Singapore Yachting Festival 27-30 April.
The conference will bring together leading industry professionals from Singapore and across the region to share insights on Southeast Asia, its cruising regulations and infrastructure, innovations in technology, discuss best practices, and network with like-minded individuals. The conference is a combined effort in association with the Asia Boating Dialogue, supported by ICOMIA and the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association.
Beneteau have reviewed their March boat show appearances. Their three boating brands enjoyed a busy spring/autumn season with boat shows held at different parts of Asia Pacific by working closely with their respective dealers, hosting Asia Pacific debuts and two Japan premieres, welcoming old and new customers on board for exciting boating experiences.
(1) The Japan International Boat Show is a great platform to showcase the latest sailing boats, motor yachts and water sports equipment in the country. As the highlight of Japan's yachting calendar, it takes place once a year at the exhibition centre Pacifico Yokohama and the Yokohama Bayside Marina, and is open to both trade visitors and private individuals. Beneteau are grateful to local dealer First Marine and Odyssey Marine for putting on such an exceptional display.
(2) The Fremantle Boat and Seafood Festival is a unique event that combines western Australian seafood tastings and boat displays on water, bringing food lovers and boating enthusiasts together for a three-day celebration. For the 2023 edition, the Beneteau display was arranged by the local dealer Mansfield Marine.
(3) New Zealand's largest collection of boats in an on-water show, the Auckland Boat Show, is where the visitors can see the latest luxury motor yachts, sail yachts, commercial marine sectors, parts, and accessories. Beneteau local dealer 36 Degrees Brokers presented a new and exciting showcase of Beneteau's power and sail vessels at the show.
Locally, Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes and Batemans Bay will welcome new vessels later next month as construction continues on Tuggerah Lakes 21 and Batemans Bay 21. The new 6.3 metre walk-through console Naiad boats are being built at Yamba Welding and Engineering on the NSW North Coast. The vessels will be powered by twin 115hp outboard engines capable of reaching speeds of 38 knots.
The new rescue boats also feature a full Raymarine suite and are almost identical apart one slight difference: TL 21 will have a fixed roof while BM 21 features a foldable Bimini cover.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is launching a crackdown on boaties failing to wear lifejackets across the state these Easter holidays. MSQ and the Queensland Police Service will be out in force along almost the whole coastline between 1 April and 16 April. The campaign will focus on boating's 'Fatal Five' and is aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries from boating. A trial run on the Gold Coast's Coomera and Nerang Rivers last weekend saw authorities stopping boats on the water to check safety gear.
Perfect March weather coupled with a March long weekend and good fishing for tuna has led to busy coastal waters in South Australia this month. Their Marine Safety Officers have been flat out checking vessels on the water and at boat ramps across the state. So far during March there have been more than 500 vessels checked by Marine Safety Officers. It is great to see the number of non-compliant vessels trending downwards in March with 35% of vessels non-compliant in March 2022 compared to 32% in March 2023.
During this period expired flares, not having 1-2 items of safety equipment on board, and not wearing or carrying lifejackets, were the three most common offences that expiations were issued for. Don't risk a fine, check what you need to wear and carry for your vessel with the online safety equipment checker tool.
Hosted by Marine Jobs, an exciting industry career day will take place on 13th May between 9am and 1pm. The event will be held at TAFE Queensland's Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, located at 55-61 Tingira Street, Portsmith. The primary focus of the event is to highlight the local career opportunities in the marine/reef tourism and manufacturing industries, as well as the global career opportunities in the defence, supply chain and sustainment, commercial shipping, and superyacht sectors.
Due to a rapidly growing and specialised industry, there is massive employment opportunities in the maritime sector. Therefore, the event aims to attract and educate young individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the maritime industry.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com