Environmental solution for redundant fibreglass boats - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 1 May 09:00 NZST
The Arctic Impact Project Kick Off Meeting (l-r) Scientia Professor Gangadhara, Luke Preston, Lisa Blair OAM, Jessica Mevel Soenecs, Alan Steber © The Arctic Impact Project
The global marine industry is facing an unprecedented materials crisis. Right now, an estimated 35 to 40 million fibreglass boats worldwide are reaching their end of life.
With no scalable pathway for recycling, these vessels are becoming a significant environmental burden, dumped in mangroves, scuttled in deep water, or destined for landfills where they will persist for centuries. In a unique joint research partnership, world record explorer Lisa Blair OAM, the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC, UNSW Sydney, and Steber International are announcing the launch of a solution-focused research project: Sustainable Composites for Next Gen Boat Hulls.
Superyacht Australia hosted its highly anticipated annual end-of-season crew event, the Endless Summer Party on 21 April at the Sydney Superyacht Marina. The eighth edition of this popular industry celebration welcomed 60 crew from 20 superyachts currently based across Sydney Harbour and the popular cruising region of Pittwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
The Marina Industries Association (MIA) once again made its presence felt at the Singapore Yachting Festival, hosted at ONE15° Marina Sentosa Cove, with nine members sharing a dedicated stand and reporting strong business outcomes from the event. The group included eight returning exhibitors from 2025 — a mark of confidence in the festival as a premier platform for the Asia-Pacific marine industry.
Beneteau, Excess Catamarans and Lagoon Catamarans each received a prestigious award at the Yacht Style Awards Ceremony, organised by Yacht Style, Asia's leading yachting lifestyle media. The ceremony took place during a glamorous gala dinner on 22 April in Singapore. The event brought together more than 300 VIP guests, including yacht owners and prospective buyers, industry professionals, and yacht manufacturers, to celebrate the best of the yachting industry in Asia and internationally.
With four weeks to go, over 300 delegates have registered for the Marinas26 International Conference and Trade Exhibition. In a return to the Gold Coast, the event will be held at the Royal Pines Resort, 25-26 May. Commenting on the continued growth of the exhibition component, MIA President, Andrew Chapman AM CMM said, "We are thrilled with the support from industry suppliers. We have over 60 booths available this year, and the scope of products and services on offer continues to expand. We have everything from technology to marinas to bird control; it's probably the best mix we have had."
Paul Cayard has been awarded the 2026 Magnus Olsson Prize. With a career spanning more than four decades at the highest level of the sport, Cayard represents the best of international sailing, as an athlete and leader, as well as a highly-regarded mentor and developer of the sport. Born in San Francisco, Cayard rose through the ranks to become a two-time Olympian and eight-time world champion.
For 50 years, Gineico has played a pivotal role in shaping the Australasian and New Zealand marine industry, quietly supporting the builders, designers, engineers, and crew that bring vessels to life and keep them in perfect condition. First registered in 1976, Gineico has built its reputation not through scale, but through quality, value and service and most of all through building enduring relationships.
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania from the largest boating news network.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media