November December 2018 Marina World

INTERNATIONAL
Marinas of all types and sizes are increasingly focused on service, style and
destination appeal. Since Marina World was launched nearly 20 years ago,
increased attention has been paid to perfecting facilities and infrastructure,
preserving the environment, liaising strongly with local communities, and
obtaining certification that reflects standards of quality that meet the needs of
discerning boat owning customers.
Modern marinas are grasping
the need to make use of the latest
technology, responding positively to
the increasing software options now
available to manage wet and dry
berths, dockside power and water,
boatyard equipment, and more.
Marinas have long been the focal
point of new waterfront developments,
coastal and inland resorts, and take
centre stage in the rehabilitation of
disused brownfield sites within the
world’s port cities. As such, they have
been developed sensitively to reflect
local architecture and ambience, meld
with local culture and help coastal cities
extend seamlessly to the water’s edge.
Marinas, whether privately owned
or the responsibility of municipal
authorities, are increasingly seen as
good investments. There has been a
marked rise in ‘networks’ – marinas
under varied ownership that band
together to offer cruise-between
programmes and shared customer
benefits – and the rise of serious USbased
companies who are amassing
portfolios of marinas and boat clubs
that supersize anything the industry has
seen before. The opportunity to create
strong visible brand names at valuable
waterfront sites has made marinas an
increasingly attractive investment.
No industry is without challenges. The
boat owning customer base is ageing;
marinas are focusing on attracting
children to boats, offering training
and free fun days on the water. The
length and cost of marina concessions
or leases remains a stumbling block
to maintaining or improving many
sites; industry is fighting back with the
persuasive weaponry of hard facts
and figures that prove marinas make
significant financial contributions to
local markets and employment. The
environment is challenged and water
quality is a specific focus; marinas are
organising community clean-ups and
environmental awareness days.
Established marina markets in North
America, the Caribbean, Europe and
the Mediterranean, Australia and
New Zealand, for example, are brand
conscious, image conscious and eager
to welcome the new style of boater
where space permits. Trends towards
shared ownership, either privately or
via boat clubs, and charter are being
accommodated – some marinas in
Europe are 80% occupied by charter
fleets – and berthing for increasingly
larger vessels including superyachts
and megayachts has become the jewel
in many a marina crown. Superyacht
berths are in high demand and this
trend is set to remain for years to come,
attracting customers with high levels of
spending power.
There is also plenty of growth. While
the Middle East focuses on iconic palm
tree fringed marina cities, South East
Asia is further developing new cruising
circuits, with marinas in Indonesia,
AUSTRALIA
GLOBAL INDUSTRY OVERVIEWS
South Korea
and Vietnam
vying with the
established
markets of
Hong Kong
and Singapore,
where more
berths are
now needed.
Newer markets
take time to
Carol Fulford
develop but the
drive created by increased leisure time,
tourism and greater overall wealth is the
driving force for marina development
and expansion.
Boating, above all, gets top PR
– and boat owners need berths. As
any international boat show calendar
reveals, whether it’s Phuket, Chicago,
Helsinki, Croatia, Moscow, Shanghai,
Gothenburg, Sydney, Taiwan,
Colombia, Miami, Genoa, Cannes
or one of dozens of other venues,
recreational boating continues to attract
leisure spend.
Carol Fulford
Australian marinas continue to show steady and sustained
growth as evidenced by independent research undertaken
from 2012 to 2017. The Australian Health of the Marina
Industry Survey by the Marina Industries Association (MIA)
in conjunction with Dr Ed Mahoney from Michigan State
University is the most comprehensive study of its kind in
the world. With 44% of all marinas responding to the 2017
survey and 25% having participated in all surveys over the
Darren Vaux
last six years, the survey provides a wealth of information
and benchmarks on the state of the industry. Key take-outs
include continuing growth in marina revenues year on year, increasing trend
on capital investment in marinas, increased investment in environmental
initiatives with national marina revenues now exceeding AUD$1.4 billion and
direct employment of over 23,000.
Accreditation programmes, such as
Gold Anchor, Clean Marinas and Fish
Friendly Marinas, are showing strong
growth and retention with increased
awareness and attributed value from
consumers and government agencies
alike. There are now 34 Gold Anchor
Marinas in Australia and Empire Marina
Bobbin Head in Sydney has recently
been awarded 5 Gold Anchor Platinum
status, the first in Australia. There
are 61 marinas currently accredited
as Clean Marinas and a further five
going through their initial accreditation
process. There are 320 marinas and
yacht club marinas in Australia.
The industry is continuing to see
growth in marina-specific education
demand and attendance. The MIA’s
IMM and AMM accreditation courses
are being delivered twice yearly,
and specialised courses including
MSC operations and emergency
preparedness courses are seeing
increased demand. There is also a
move to deliver more on-line content
to attract a wider audience. Attracting
young people into the marina industry
and the boating industry more generally
continues to be a challenge.
There are a number of major
marina projects either under way or
planned around the country, including
Shellharbour Marina (greenfield
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