3rd - 5th February: Melbourne Summer Boat Show, a new-look event which replaces the Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Festival (and is a lot easier to say!). It continues to be staged waterside at the Docklands in Melbourne.
14th April: NZ Marine Trades Challenge, which will again feature the building of a catamaran by each of the competing trades teams from leading boat builders and marine craft companies.
'Fitzroy Yachts have enjoyed a very successful night at the sixth annual World Superyacht Awards, taking out two Neptune Awards for the superlative sailing superyacht, Zefira.
On 7th May 2011, the superyacht industry’s finest gathered in the magnificent surroundings of London’s Guildhall for the most glamorous and anticipated event in the yachting calendar – the sixth annual World Superyacht Awards.
Combining a glittering awards ceremony with a gala dinner and dance, the Awards – dubbed the 'Oscars' of the superyacht world – were attended by an more than 500 superyacht owners from around the globe and the most influential players in the superyacht industry.
Zefira, built by Fitzroy Yachts, received not one but two prized silver Neptunes for ‘Best Sailing Yacht in 45m+ category’ and ‘Sailing Yacht of the Year’.
Zefira’s European owner’s had a dream to create not only a world-class yacht, but a work of art. Their courage, passion and vision, together with a world renowned team including Dubois Naval Architects, Remi Tessier, and Fitzroy Yachts have created a true masterpiece that has now been recognised as one of the great superyachts of the world.
The Dubois designed vessel was built to exceptional quality levels which continue the yards reputation for building award winning superyachts. Powered by a Caterpillar C32 1450 bhp main engine and a Hundested variable pitch propeller, the propulsion system provides long range motor sailing abilities. The 56 meter ‘light weight’ carbon fiber sailing rig was supplied by Southern Spars, and the sails inventory provided by North Sails'.
(Sailworld.com)
At a US-based conference of International Marine Industry Associations in late-2010, delegates from 27 countries attending heard that there had been an overall decrease in the global marine market of 50% as a result of the financial meltdown.
Holding some 45% of the global marine market, the US is a bell weather as to the state of the sector overall. This fact was amplified by the Brunswick Corporation, whose annual turnover of US$4.5 billion is four times that of the whole of the New Zealand marine sector put together; they report turnover falling by 50% from 2007 – 2009. Such a seismic hit has seen companies rationalising, closing or merging as they fight to stay above water.
Staying with the US, *Analyst Tim Conder of Wells Fargo predicts a best-case scenario of peak cyclical marine industry retail demand is now in 2014/2015.
Conder predicted 2010 would be down 10 -15% with 10% annual growth in 2011-15. (* taken from Marine Business World bulletin, July 2010)
More generally speaking, current estimates are that it may take 10-20 years to recover the business volumes seen in 2007.
Indications of a positive return in Northern Europe have been overshadowed by concerns about the Mediterranean economies and international debt levels.
Boat Show operators have reported that exhibitor numbers are slowly increasing (up 5% on previous year) as buyer interest returns.
Globally, orders for superyachts of more than 45m (150') in length number 207, an all-time high. 12 of these are on order/in build in NZ after a "drought" which lasted for more than a year.
If we look more generally at orders for boats of over 24m, the global order book stands at about 750, which is 25% down on the 2009 peak of 1,000. (Source: ShowBoats International 2011 Global Order Book)
FOCUS ON NZ
Throughout the recession, the only sector that has held a steady course is Refits, and it is singular in being the only trade group whose projections show ongoing increases, rising from the current $150m p.a. to $450m p.a. by 2020. It is an inescapable fact that the world superyacht fleet continues to grow and many owners have elected to spend money on protecting or enhancing existing assets, rather than sinking conspicuous funds into new build projects.
NZMI SALES FORECAST FOR 2011 - 100 new yachts and launches - 3,000 trailer power boats - 10,000 small boats and recreational craft inc. dinghies and canoes
Some Other Facts and Figures about the Marine sector in NZ - Auckland, Christchurch and Tauranga account for well over 70% of marine business activities
- Revised forecasts are that the sector as a whole will account for: $1.71 bn turnover in 2010, rising to $2.66 bn by 2015 (e. 2% of the world market) with exports accounting for $1.11 bn, buoyed by 70% export growth
- the current workforce of e.10,000 will increase to 11,500 in the next five years, with 1,000 people engaged in trade apprenticeships (which leads the world per capita)
- Of nearly 500 NZMI companies, 271 (60%) of them employ four or fewer staff
- it is estimated that there are 500,000 boats in NZ, which is one boat for every 8 people.
Auckland continues to grapple with its waterfront development plans, with a planned spend of over $560m in the next 20 years ($100m by Sep 2011 and the advent of the Rugby World Cup). These are key components in an overall budget of $3.5 billion.
Within these plans there is a strong focus on augmenting the facilities for visiting superyachts, whether here for refit and upgrade work or simply to spend time in NZ waters. It is estimated that the average refit spend with NZ marine operators is $6m per boat, with an additional discretionary $1m anticipated from non-marine industry spending on flights, hotel accommodation, fine art and furnishings for the vessel, recreation, entertaining, etc. as the owner and crew may spend many months here – and they have high expectations!
Auckland has now opened substantial new berthage at Jellicoe West for very large superyachts to address the current shortage of suitable berths. The new facilities range from 60 - 90m in size.
'This is potentially the most important urban redevelopment project New Zealand has ever seen' - John Dalzell, Chief Executive of the Auckland Waterfront Development Agency.
Work is pressing ahead on the phased regeneration of a huge area of prime Auckland waterfront real estate.
The new Viaduct Events Centre, which stands on the site of the former America's Cup buildings is rapidly nearing completion on Halsey Street, together with a new lifting bridge at Wynyard Crossing to link up both sides of the Viaduct Harbour.
Adjacent to 'Gateway Plaza' and the regenerated North Wharf, this phase is going to be the centrepiece for the regeneration of the waterfront, and will be ready for the new Auckland International Boat Show (which itself is timed to coincide with the Rugby World Cup).
Expansive boulevards radiate out, giving access to new shops and cafes of Jellicoe Plaza as well as the waterfront where the fishing fleet continues to moor on North Wharf.
Also, a new tram line is well under way, and the classic-style tramcars will provide a new way of getting around the area, as well as keeping traffic volumes down.
Adjustments have been made to the plans for the new Yard 37 marine precinct development in the Auckland Upper Harbour at Hobsonville (see earlier article below), with a revised proposition that sees land costs reduced to $300m2 and freehold building permitted on 100% of the land area. The main consents are completed and land is now available to be purchased for development.
A shortage of berthage and dock space saw superyachts heading south to Lyttelton on South Island, where the dry dock at Stark Bros. can accommodate ships of up to 130m / 6,000 tonnes. More usually the home of large commercial vessels, three superyachts have taken advantage already this year, having been fortunate to grab empty timeslots in a calendar which has bookings stretching out to 2018!
There are also important focal developments underway in Whangarei and Tauranga, all of which will leverage important improvements in the facilities available for commercial and marine users alike.
Important New Guide
The New Zealand MarineIndustry Association has just released a comprehensive publication, 'Destination New Zealand'. This information guide is targeted at the Skippers and Owners of visiting yachts, and brings together (for the first time) the official information from multiple agencies to ensure that visitors get easy access and maximum enjoyment from the services and facilities available.
It has been published as a booklet and is also available as an e-book.
SY Vertigo, from the board of Philippe Briand, was the most recent launch - at 67.2m (220') and grossing 837 tonnes, she was nicknamed 'The Big One' in build, and little wonder - she is the largest luxury sailing yacht to be built in the Southern Hemisphere.
See http://www.alloyyachts.co.nz/our+fleet/Vertigo.html for more information and some stunning shots of her launch, as well as details of three more vessels currently in build and due for completion in 2012.
SY 'Imagine', which is also detailed on the Alloy Yachts website, is a finalist in the 2011 Superyacht Awards. She is currently gracing the Viaduct, right alongside the new Viaduct Events Centre.
AC45 brings $10m to NZ Boatbuilding We have also seen a growing fleet of the new AC45 catamarans being launched, with eager race teams putting them through their paces in the Waitemata Harbour in preparation for the new race series to commence, with thrills and spills aplenty.
All the semi-production boats are built in Warkworth, north of Auckland, by Core Builders Composites, which was set up by Oracle Racing to build what is the 'trainer' model for the final AC72 wingsail catamaran. Other companies involved in construction of the AC45 series are: Cookson Boats, Hall Spars New Zealand, C-Tech Carbon Technology and Craig Stirling Composites Engineering.
At over NZ$1m a pop for the 45 foot 'baby' version and powered by a 300kg wingsail, these exhilarating craft have rewritten the rule books - literally - for America's Cup competition racing, and are the precursor to the radical AC72's for the next Cup in 2013. Not only are they being used as a training platform for the crews who are getting up to speed with catamaran racing, but the sports governing body are also developing new race rules and configurations to ensure that race opportunities are optimised.
It is expected that the next generation of AC racing will be much closer to shore at speeds in excess of 30 knots, enhancing the spectacle for spectators. Improved video graphics (a continuing Kiwi success story) will also make for improved race coverage, augmented by video feeds from up to three cameras on each boat and 18 microphones.
Emirates Team New Zealand launched their new VO70, Camper, which is currently competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, and will be back in Auckland in March 2012 (see above).
Refits One of the jewels in the crown of the NZ marine scene, the Refit sector continues to be busy. Auckland capabilities have been augmented by ongoing improvements in facilities at the Orams yard, with a rebuild of the 600 tonne slipway and a new 90m work berth.
This is currently home to SY Athena, one of the largest sailing vessels in the world at 90m (295'), which is undergoing a six month refit including a complete repaint of the hull - this sees teh entire vessel shrouded in a vast plastic cocoon.
Design A 31m carbon fibre catamaran from Auckland's LOMOcean Design is set to be the first vessel to circumnavigate the globe using only solar power. Turanor Planet Solar left Monaco in September 2010, and has been averaging 115 nm per day at an average speed of 5 knots. Solar panels cover just about every available inch of the vast upper surface, with an area of 537m2 and drive the electric motors via a battery bank.
Here are a couple of impressions of the ongoing redevelopment of the Wynyard Quarter zone of the Auckland waterfront, just minutes from the CBD and adjacent to the well-established Viaduct and Westhaven Marina.
The overall development will take many years to be accomplished. However, the first stage is now almost completed, representing the 'Gateway' to the new precinct, and incorporating the new Marine Events Centre which was the focal point for the 2011 Auckland International Boat Show, plus teh striking new bridge linking the two sides of the main dock area. There is also a new tram line, offering visitors the chance to step back in time and take a leisurely trundle through the district.
Several of the old concrete silos have been preserved and are now striking features of this rapidly-changing environment. In addition, there are many new restaurants and cafes which open up a whole new district to Aucklanders and visitors alike; it certainly represents an important step in realising the potential of the Auckland waterfront.
From our point of view, the most important aspect is that, thanks to strong lobbying from the MIA and marine sector, it is now confirmed that there will continue to be a strong marine 'footprint' in the locality, which will create a facility where some of the world's best marine companies can continue to serve their customers within walking distance of Auckland's CBD.
The waterside is receiving much attention, giving Auckland the oppor-tunity to create a world-class harbourside environment with unique characteristics, and augers well for the ongoing development of the marine sector.
On August 26th 2009, the Marine Industry Association hosted a member briefing on the development proposals for the former Hobsonville Seaplane base and military base - now to be known as 'Yard 37' (as we sit on 37 degrees south).
The Waitakere Council has been targeting two sectors - film and marine - which together generate more than a billion dollars a year in earnings for the NZ economy. Their approach is to utilise the key assets of new infrastructure and proximity to key communications links (including deep water access to the harbour), attracting businesses in to create a new economic hub, which will also be able to provide homes for the thousands of workers and their families drawn to the new development.
Key factors which have limited expansion before have been shortages of labour and shed space: this new development offers flat land, great road infrastructure (with new motorway links) and all-important deep water access to the inner Waitemata Harbour, which is a unique combination.
With over 33 hectares of land set aside for the new marine precinct itself and a further 160 ha for housing, the proposed facilities should make it a proposition for superyacht manufacture and support without a direct rival anywhere in the world.
A phased approach will first see establishment of a massive boat ramp with the capacity to handle superyachts of over 1,000 tons. There will be a range of industrial units, some of which may be up to 18m high, available to cater for new build and refit operations (some 82,000 sq.m overall for marine sheds including a 12,000 sq.m paint shed), as well as the complementary commercial and retail businesses necessary to support this community and the 2,000 or so employees it will accommodate.
Environmental compliance is very high on the agenda, and systems will be in place to meet the most stringent of requirements, with all work being performed within the confines of the buildings themselves and contaminants therefore contained and managed effectively.
The only limiting factor will be the Auckland Harbour Bridge, limiting passage of superyachts with masts over about 40m high, and so a symbiotic partnership with Wynyard-/Westhaven-based operators is vital to ensure a comprehensive and complimentary range of services both on the water and on the hard.
Status - Oct 2011 - the development now has approval to proceed.
(Based on material published by the NZ Ministry of Economic Development)
'Solving unique problems, or just coming up with a unique way of doing something has given New Zealand a manufacturing sector that involves more than 20,000 companies and employs a quarter of a million people.
Around 14,000 of these enterprises employ fewer than five people; NZ manufacturers rely less on scale, than they do on being more canny in business, innovative in the way they work, quicker on their feet. Better ways of doing things'
The marine sector comprises of more than 1,300 companies and 10,000 jobs, including over 700 apprentices currently completing trade studies of between 3-5 years. This is impressive, given that the number has grown by some 40% over the last three years and 12% in the last year. In spite of the recession, turnover is still forecast to double by 2020 to more than three billion dollars.
Almost half the population is associated in some way with boating and nearly a third fish recreationally. Best estimates indicate that there are 300,000 boats in NZ, with an average of 5,000 new ones sold every year, 80% of which are manufactured locally.
Kiwi employers will often expect more of their staff than similar businesses in other countries. The ability to turn your hand to a wide range of duties and to 'think outside the square' are rightly valued as being central to the 'can do' attitude to life and work in New Zealand. The NZ brand of boat building is synonymous with achievement, flexibility, technology and innovation.
Nowhere is this better exemplified than when Bill Hamilton emerged from his shed in Irishman's Creek in 1954 with the first Hamilton Waterjet engine, to go blasting up the McKenzie Country rivers. Today, the company he founded employs around 300 people in Christchurch, and their jet propulsion units are found in craft all over the world.
Marine manufacturing and support is something New Zealand can be truly proud of, and you might say that Kiwi DNA has salt water in it!
The waterside is receiving much attention, giving Auckland the oppor-tunity to create a world-class harbourside environment with unique characteristics, and augers well for the ongoing development of the marine sector. 
