2024 November December Marina World

Marina 

www.marinaworld.com 

World 

November/December 2024 

Issue 146 

Essential reading for marina and waterfront developers, planners and operators

MEET US AT METSTRADE. STAND MYP 05:751 

CONNECTING 

THE DOCKS 

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD 

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November/December 2024 Vol. 25, No. 2 

32 

57 

CONTENTS 

World News Special 7 

Waterfront Developments 

Building on water – the floating possibilities 29 

Steady progress with Amaala resort 32 

Factoring in the need for electric power 35 

Is the essence of Port Grimaud under threat? 40 

Bringing new life to Banagher Marina 43 

Marina Port Valencia – integrating the port into the city 46 

Events 51 

Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous 

Company Update 54 

Marina builder Marinetek celebrates 30 years 

Buying & Selling Marinas 57 

63 

Yard Machinery 63 

Products & Services 68 

On the cover: An incredible feat of 

planning and logistics, the marina at 

the UK’s Southampton International 

Boat Show is among the largest 

temporary marinas in the world. 

Walcon Marine, which has built the 

marina specifically for the show 

since 1973, is now contracted to 

do so for the next 15 years. Read 

more p.25. Image: Southampton 

International Boat Show/British 

Marine 

www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2024 

3



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FROM THE EDITOR 

Working on 

waterfronts 

The fourth quarter of 2024 gets off to a resounding 

start as ground breaks on the first international 

marina in Indonesia, and Las Olas Marina in Florida, 

USA officially opens as a new centrepiece in Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous 

yachting hub. 

A top standard marina in Bali with significant capacity for superyachts will give 

Indonesia the opportunity to further boost its nautical tourism offering, as well as 

provide locals with exceptional mooring facilities and thus potentially boost boating 

interest. 

There’s no shortage of interest in boating in Fort Lauderdale but there is similar 

dual aim; to attract visiting vessels – especially superyachts – and create a 

destination that benefits local people. 

Waterfront development today is most often about creating community spaces 

that are connected directly to nearby urban centres. Marinas have been central 

to waterside regeneration projects in numerous major cities around the world for 

decades and are often hubs in ambitious new projects, such as Amaala on the Red 

Sea (p.32), Bahrain Marina (p.11) and, of course, ongoing Neom projects, such as 

newly opened Sindala Marina. 

The ambitious Marina Port Valencia project in Spain (p.46) is a regeneration 

plan aimed at reinforcing the city’s yachting connections by boosting facilities and 

integrating the port and the waterfront with the city. Three individual marinas, a refit 

and repair yard, a leisure, dining and entertainment area, and office and retail space, 

will all be balanced to attract local, national and international guests while blending 

with the local environment and complementing the many other developments 

underway in the city. 

Offaly County Council in the Republic of Ireland has similar aims for redeveloping 

Banagher Marina (p.43) although a sharper contrast than the densely populated 

city bustle of Valencia and the greenfield landscape of the market town of Banagher 

would be hard to find. 

Bustling in its own way, popular with boaters, and perfectly positioned on the River 

Shannon as a gateway to a broad cruising region, the marina and its associated 

waterfront are being re-evaluated so as to better integrate with the wider town. The 

aim is to contribute to the long-term sustainability and success of Banagher as a 

tourist destination and a place to live. 

Environmentally responsible and sustainable regeneration of under-utilised 

waterfront land can create highly prized places to live and visit. What better example 

than Port Grimaud? 

Widely considered to be the world’s first purpose-built marina village, Port 

Grimaud was created in the French Gulf of Saint Tropez from swampland in the 

1960s thanks to the architectural skill and planning genius of François Spoerry. It has 

expanded and changed understandably over the decades but largely remained true 

to the developer’s dream of a peaceful, artisan-based community with small homes, 

small houses and plentiful public spaces. 

Change can be good, but Port Grimaud residents currently fear that the 

Municipality is planning projects that could undermine Port Grimaud’s special 

character (p.40). Let us hope this is not the case. What’s the point of a World 

Heritage Site designation if the heritage is not preserved? 

Views expressed by individual contributors in this issue 

are not necessarily those of Loud & Clear Publishing 

Ltd. Equally, the inclusion of advertisements in this 

magazine does not constitute endorsement of the 

companies, products and services concerned by Loud & 

Clear Publishing Ltd. The publisher reserves the right to 

refuse advertising. 

Carol Fulford 

Editor 

Meet the Marina World team in 

the Marina & Yard Pavilion at 

METSTRADE (Stand 05.711) 


5

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THE MOORING SYSTEM

WORLD NEWS 

Western Marinas buys 

Marine & Property assets 

UK: Newly formed company, Western Marinas, has acquired Cardiff Marina, the 

operating lease for Watchet Marina, and taken on a management contract for 

Aberystwyth Marina. The assets were previously under the management of The 

Marine & Property Group, which went into administration last year. 

The company has been set up by 

a new management team and their 

funders with a mission to realise the 

potential of Cardiff, Aberystwyth and 

Watchet marinas, as well as Cardiff 

Marine Village and the associated 

Dredging Division. 

Western Marinas claims that a 

significant amount of capital is available 

to ensure that much-needed investment 

can be made across the sites and has 

a clear mission to put the marinas 

back to where they belong as some of 

the leading facilities in Wales and the 

southwest. 

Initial priorities include the return of 

fuel sales and full electrical refits, as 

PRE-REGISTER FOR 

IWMC 2025 

ITALY: Pre-registration is now open for the International Council of Marine 

Industry Associations (ICOMIA) World Marinas Conference (IWMC), which 

will take place in Venice 15th-17th October 2025. The theme of the event 

is ‘Innovation, Collaboration, Transformation’, and it will celebrate how 

international cooperation, a central tenet of the marina industry, helps drive 

progress and future development. 

ICOMIA CEO, Joe Lynch, describes 

the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 

as the ideal opportunity for marina 

professionals to meet and discuss 

topics relevant specifically to them. 

“Next year’s conference in Venice 

will look at ways we can innovate 

the industry in an effort to transform 

the way we work in a manner that is 

beneficial to all, and we look forward to 

seeing you there,” he says. 

Two well-known industry consultants, 

Oscar Siches and Dan Natchez, who 

have long been involved in this biennial 

conference series and are recipients of 

the ICOMIA Golden Cleat awards for 

their contribution to industry, stress the 

benefits of attending. 

“The ICOMIA World Marinas 

Conference never fails to attract top 

minds happy to share their insights and 

brainstorm ways to move the industry 

forward,” Siches notes. “Whether a 

well as dredging campaigns at Watchet 

and Aberystwyth in conjunction with the 

local harbour authorities. 

Western Marinas chair, Andrew 

Cornish, says: “I have a passion 

for customer service and creating 

environments that everyone can be 

proud to be involved with, be they 

customers, colleagues, suppliers or 

just onlookers. I love the marine world 

and am a boat owner myself, albeit on 

the Thames right now. I look forward to 

meeting current and future customers, 

hearing thoughts and views, and 

working with the team to make Western 

Marinas somewhere we are all proud to 

be associated with.” 

marina veteran or just starting out, this 

is your chance to learn, contribute, and 

connect with like-minded people.” 

Natchez endorses this: “As a designer 

of marinas and familiar with their 

operation around the world, I always 

learn things at the WM Conferences – 

there is no lock on knowledge and we all 

learn from each other.” 

Hosts for the event are the team 

at Venezia Certosa Marina, a scenic 

island marina surrounded by beautifully 

restored parkland. 

The conference is organised with the 

support of the Region of Veneto and the 

City of Venice; the Venice Port Authority; 

the International Airport of Venice 

managed by SAVE; Assomarinas; 

Confindustria Nautica; and Confindustria 

Veneto Est. Sponsors include premium 

pontoon manufacturer Ingemar, Marina 

del Cavallino and Marina World (media 

partner). 

 

 


7

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Skippers and landlubbers alike are clear about one thing: water is 

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more and more port operators also feel obliged to offer a professional 

disposal station for waste water and bilge water. With its powerful and 

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WORLD NEWS 

Ground breaks 

on first international 

standard marina 

INDONESIA: PT Marina Development Indonesia (MDI) and state-owned port 

management enterprise Pelindo have announced the groundbreaking of the 

first full service international standard marina in Indonesia. 

The newly upgraded marina, 

strategically located in the Bali Maritime 

Tourism Hub in Benoa, just 15 minutes 

from an international airport, is set to 

become the region’s premier yachting 

hub, serving both international and 

domestic yacht owners. 

Representing a significant leap 

forward in the country’s maritime 

tourism and infrastructure, the marina 

will be able to accommodate 180 boats, 

with over 50 berths available for yachts 

up to 90m (295ft) long. It will have a 

modern service area with a hoist of up 

The Pelindo team on contract signing day. 

to 200 tonne capacity and a high quality 

fuel station. 

“Indonesia deserves a first-class 

marina that reflects its status as the 

Marina overview from the south 

new yachting paradise of the world,” 

said Ulf Backlund, president director 

of Marina Development Indonesia. 

“Indonesia’s distinctive location, 

safely positioned outside hurricane 

and typhoon paths, combined with 

its 17,000 islands, spectacular diving 

locations, diverse languages, cultures 

and favourable weather all year long, 

makes Indonesia the ideal location 

for such a development. This marina 

will attract global yachting enthusiasts 

and open up for exploring Indonesia’s 

natural beauty in the biggest 

archipelago in the world.” 

MDI is developing the marina in close 

collaboration with globally renowned 

and locally recognised companies 

including SF 

Marina of 

Sweden, which 

will build the 

floating marina 

system, and 

Italian firm Plus 

Ulf Backlund, MDI. 

Marine, which will 

install electricity and water pedestals 

with a SmartCloud remote metering 

system. Discovery Luxe Indonesia 

contributes a suite of luxury services 

to offer seamless bespoke on- and offboat 

experiences, and comprehensive 

logistics support to ensure an unrivalled 

experience for yacht owners and crew. 

The marina’s design and facilities 

will adhere to the highest international 

standards, focusing on sustainability 

and environmental preservation. Yacht 

owners and visitors can look forward 

to an array of premium amenities, 

including a prestigious yacht club, luxury 

hospitality options, and entertainment 

and commercial areas with extensive 

retail, offices and dining outlets. 

“The new marina in Bali embodies 

our vision to position Indonesia as a key 

player in the global maritime industry, 

combining luxury experience, services, 

safe and world-class infrastructure,” 

said Pelindo president director Arif 

Suhartono. Joko Noerhudha, president 

director Pelindo Solusi Logistik, added 

that “the marina will not only attract 

international yacht owners but also 

provide an exceptional home base 

for domestic vessels, contributing to 

the growth of Indonesia’s tourism and 

economic sectors.” 

Most notably, the Benoa marina 

is a key initiative in stimulating local 

economies by creating employment 

opportunities, promoting tourism and 

cultivating a lively yachting community. 

Construction is already underway and 

the marina is scheduled to welcome 

yachts to the first dock in July 2025. 

Full capacity is planned for the middle 

of 2026. There is currently a temporary 

buoy mooring system in place for 

accommodating 30 yachts up to 17m 

(56ft). 


9

Delivering the marinas 

of tomorrow 

Dubai Harbour - United Arab Emirates 

Hi-tech solutions to connect land and sea 

Pontoons, breakwaters, superyacht piers, floating crossings and 

constructions, off-the-shelf or customised, with robust and 

reliable structures in steel, aluminium or concrete.

WORLD NEWS 

Las Olas opens as a 

“gateway to the city” 

USA: Suntex Marina Investors has officially opened Las Olas Marina in 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Reservations are now being taken for dock space 

following the close of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. 

The capstone element of the 

Yachting Capital of the World’s iconic 

Las Olas Corridor and gateway to Fort 

Lauderdale’s world-class beaches and 

resorts, the marina was designed to be 

an integral component of the City of Fort 

Lauderdale’s $130 million investment in 

public parking, promenades, parks and 

public walkways. 

Construction of the 70-slip megayacht 

marina has taken two years to complete 

and included the installation of over 

7,000 feet (2,130m) of floating concrete 

docks, 2,000 feet (610m) of new 

seawall, along with new restaurants, 

offices and marina amenities. 

Las Olas Marina is now one of the 

largest megayacht marinas in the 

United States and was the centrepiece 

of the Fort Lauderdale International 

Boat Show. The entire marina has been 

designed to accommodate some of 

the largest yachts in the world, ranging 

from 65 to 315 feet (20 to 96m), at 

Bellingham floating docks. Substantial 

shore power and unmatched upland 

amenities for captains and crew 

members have been incorporated. The 

marina has retail and office space, a 

luxury captain’s lounge with a largeformat 

kitchen, rooftop lounge with 

plunge pool and an outdoor kitchen. 

The beach is just steps away. 

As part of the redevelopment project, 

the marina also contributed to the city’s 

environmental resilience by converting 

three acres back to water and 

natural habitat, and provided seawall 

improvements to protect against sea 

level rise. The marina is designed to 

be certified as a Clean and Resilient 

Marina. 

“In the heart of Fort Lauderdale, 

our marina is more than just a place 

to dock, it’s a gateway to the city’s 

rich history and vibrant culture,” says 

McLayne Sisk, general manager of 

Las Olas Marina. “We pride ourselves 

on offering state-of-the-art facilities 

and services that cater to guests 

and enhance and support our local 

community. Every visit blends luxury, 

convenience and the authentic Fort 

Lauderdale experience.” 

Suntex’s initial bid was selected 

by the City in 2016 and the lease 

was signed on 3rd May 2018. The 

City Commission gave final site plan 

approval on 9th July 2019 and the 

redevelopment project began in the first 

quarter of 2022. Suntex will own and 

operate Las Olas Marina for 50 years 

in partnership with the City of Fort 

Lauderdale. 

Gearing up 

for AMI Expo 

USA: A full conference 

programme, educational preconference 

workshops, vibrant 

and fun networking opportunities 

and over 170 exhibitor booths 

will make AMI Conference & Expo 

(28 th -30 th January, Fort Lauderdale, 

FL) a must-visit. 

View the full programme and register 

now at www.marinaassociation.org 

BMDC 

confirms 

construction 

milestone 

BAHRAIN: Just one year after 

construction commenced on 

the prestigious Bahrain Marina 

in Manama, the Bahrain Marina 

Development Company (BMDC) has 

confirmed that 25% of the first phase 

of the project has been successfully 

completed. 

“We are extremely proud of the 

tremendous progress achieved over the 

past year,” says BMDC chairman Khalid 

Najibi. “Reaching 25% completion 

is a remarkable accomplishment 

that underscores our commitment to 

delivering a world-class project.” 

Although the project is one of the 

most significant property and tourism 

developments in the kingdom, Najibi 

stresses that it is “not just a real estate 

development.” 

“It represents our vision to create 

something exceptional for Bahrain and 

the region,” he emphasises. “We are 

determined to deliver a project that 

sets new benchmarks for luxury and 

quality, enhancing Bahrain’s reputation 

as a premier investment and tourism 

destination. As we move forward, we 

remain committed to contributing to the 

kingdom’s economic vision and setting 

the bar for future developments.” 

The project features an array of 

luxury residential units, including 

apartments with panoramic views of the 

Gulf, five-star hotels and a cutting edge 

marina with world-class facilities. 


11

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technologies are at the forefront, offering spaceefficient 

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D-Marin to manage 

new Med-style marina 

UAE: D-Marin, in partnership with Dubai Holding, has signed an agreement to 

operate Port De La Mer in Dubai, a new Mediterranean-inspired marina at the 

tip of the northern peninsula of La Mer. 

Positioned within a unique island 

retreat, Port De La Mer benefits 

amenities. Phase one opened in 

October with 32 berths for yachts up 

to 40m (131ft) in length, with plans to 

extend to 160 berths for yachts up to 

80m (262ft) in coming years. 

“Port De La Mer sets new standards 

for what is expected from a marina,” 

says Selcuk Balci, managing director 

of D-Marin Dubai. “The entire project 

is inspired by the Mediterranean 

including the residential communities, 

recreational areas and the marina 

itself. It is a truly unique marina for 

yacht owners in Dubai. We look forward 

to working in partnership with Dubai 

Holdings whilst showcasing the highest 

standard of marina experiences and 

innovations.” 

Khalid Al Malik, managing director 

of Dubai Holding, added: “Port De La 

Mer represents a strategic milestone in 

our long term vision to position Dubai 

as a premier global leisure and tourism 

destination. It will be added to the 

current marinas in our key waterfront 

destinations, including Jaddaf 

Waterfront, Marasi Bay and Marina, Al 

Seef Dubai and Marsa Al Arab, setting 

a new benchmark for luxury marinas 

worldwide.” 

Dock replacement progress at Salty Sam’s 

USA: Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach, Florida is well on the road to recovery after being left in ruins due to the 

destructive force of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. 

Golden Marine 

Systems, in conjunction 

with Gorman Marine 

Construction, is working 

to rebuild the marina, 

which already has a 

new D-Dock. Golden 

Marine used its 850 

series dock system 

with low maintenance 

Endeck Ashwood 

decking for the new 

pier, incorporating 

12in (30cm) adjustable 

cleats, pile guides and 

finger piers. The result 

is a robust and versatile 

mooring solution that 

has been designed to 

withstand harsh marine 

conditions while providing a safe and 

comfortable environment for boaters. 

The ongoing efforts at Salty Sam’s 

Marina (work on C-Dock is now 

underway) represent another step in 

the broader restoration of the marina 

from premium dining, shopping, 

entertainment, leisure and hospitality 

and the Fort Myers Beach area. The 

project is part of a larger initiative 

to rebuild and enhance the region’s 

waterfront infrastructure, making it more 

resilient against future storms. 

Golden Marine’s involvement 

WORLD NEWS 

underscores 

its commitment 

to supporting 

communities affected 

by natural disasters. 

Work at Salty Sam’s 

is not only about 

rebuilding but also 

about strengthening 

the local boating 

community and 

fostering a sense of 

renewal and hope 

in the wake of the 

hurricane. 

Mike Shanley, 

president of Golden 

Marine Systems, said 

the company was very 

proud to have been 

chosen to replace the marina and looks 

forward to completing the project. The 

marina restaurant and activities have 

remained open during the construction 

and everyone looks forward to the 

resumption of public boating activities. 


13

Design, Manufacture and Installation of Floating Pontoons, Marinas and Fishing Ports. 

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Waiheke wins 

green ‘credits’ 

NEW ZEALAND: Waiheke Island, New Zealand’s 

newest marina, is now fully operational and earning 

acknowledgement for the innovative thinking behind its 

build. 

Set within excellent cruising 

waters and with stunning panoramic 

views, Waiheke Island Marina 

(previously Kennedy Point) presented 

environmental challenges for 

developers due to the area’s ecological 

sensitivity. 

First, developers had to determine 

how best to shelter 180 marina berths 

from wave fetch and ferry wakes without 

disturbing a colony of ‘Little Penguins’. 

A traditional rock-pile breakwater would 

have impacted currents and the area’s 

delicate flora and fauna. Second, the 

marina required a new office and car 

park but the adjacent land was already 

Code of Practice revision 

for now and the future 

UK: The Yacht Harbour Association’s (TYHA’s) renowned Code of Practice, 

an industry guide to marina design, construction and operations, is 

being revised and updated with the support of specialist marina design 

consultancy Marina Projects. Launch is planned for autumn 2025. 

First created in 1977 and subject to 

several subsequent updates, the Code 

of Practice now requires modernising 

to reflect its use at an international 

level. Both TYHA and Marina 

Projects will combine their extensive 

experience to develop the Code into 

an industry standard that provides 

thorough guidance and covers the 

most up to date practices. 

Factors most affected over 

time include boatyard operations, 

superyacht requirements, 

sustainability and environmental 

changes, boat types and usage. 

Global trends also need to be 

considered to ensure the document is 

fully up to date and future-proofed. 

“The leisure marina sector is 

growing and evolving at a rapid pace, 

putting increasing pressure on marina 

designers, builders and operators 

to maintain the highest standards 

and deliver exceptional service to 

customers,” said TYHA’s Jon White. 

developed. Both 

problems were 

solved using SF 

Marina floating 

solutions. 

Mirroring the 

island’s scalloped 

coastline, two 

sections of 460m 

(1,510ft) breakwaters comprising 

23 individual 20m x 6m (66ft x 20ft) 

SFBW600 series floating concrete 

pontoons were installed – six on the 

western section and 17 on the main 

portion. 

Three breakwater sections on the 

“Ensuring that our Code of Practice 

offers the best possible guidance for 

our members across 30 countries is 

therefore crucial. We are thrilled to 

collaborate with the renowned industry 

experts at Marina Projects on this 

important review.” 

Mike Ward, managing director of 

Marina Projects, also welcomed the 

collaboration and emphasised the 

team’s full support of the revision, 

noting that the expanded use of the 

Code around the world meant that 

it was now applied in an increasing 

range of varied circumstances. “The 

industry is changing at an increasing 

pace, customer demands are 

evolving, and its is essential that the 

industry led design and operational 

guidance provided by TYHA not only 

keeps pace but also sets the course 

for improving standards across 

all aspects of marina design and 

operations for the foreseeable future,” 

he noted. 

WORLD NEWS 

western arc nearest to the shore are 

3.4m (8ft) in overall height while the 

remainder are 4m (13ft) high. All have 

a 0.6m (2ft) freeboard. The pontoons 

are connected via SF Marina’s patented 

coupling system that absorbs and 

distributes stress loads. Internal steel 

piles anchor the breakwater to the 

seabed and accommodate the marina’s 

3.5m (11ft 6in) tide. 

The office and 2,100m² (22,600ft²) 

car park are built on top of 27 SF1250 

floating concrete pontoons. Like the 

breakwater, they are engineered to 

be exceptionally stable and virtually 

unsinkable. Rainwater is channelled 

from the platforms and filtered to 

remove pollutants before being returned 

to the environment. Building on top of 

an SF Marina floating concrete platform 

is not new. In Sweden, a two-storey, 

33-room hotel uses similar pontoons for 

its foundations. 

The pontoons were built in 

Port Whangerei by SF Marina’s 

manufacturing partner Heron Marine 

and towed 145km (90mi) to Waiheke 

Island. 

Waiheke Island Marina received one 

of two New Zealand Marina Operator 

Association (NZMOA) Outstanding 

Initiative Awards for its construction 

at this year’s Marinas and Boatyards 

Conference (see p.26). Praise was 

given for building the marina without 

causing permanent changes to the 

seabed or coastal currents. 

Heron Construction was also 

awarded an Outstanding Initiative 

Award for building the world’s largest 

marina attenuator and New Zealand’s 

largest floating pods. 


17

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New management at 

Karpaz Gate 

NORTH CYPRUS: Liza Singer passed the management of Karpaz Gate Marina 

Resort on the Karpaz Peninsula to North Cyprus-based tourism specialist 

Arkin Group in September. She remains involved on a consultancy basis. 

Singer joined with the late British 

entrepreneur David Lewis CBE when 

the marina project was first initiated 

in 2004 and continued to act as the 

owner’s representative and managing 

director of the €120 million project. 

During almost two decades at 

the helm, Singer led the design, 

development, construction and 

operation through various stages of 

Award-winning Karpaz Gate Marina and 

(inset) outgoing managing director Liza 

Singer with Arkin Group chairman Erbil 

Arkin. 

expansion, including the 2021 opening 

of the nautical-themed 52-room hotel 

and leisure facilities. 

During these challenging years, she 

managed to introduce the region’s 

first modern yacht marina to the 

WORLD NEWS 

international sailing community, and led 

the resort’s predominantly local team 

of staff to shape the marina for 5 Gold 

Anchor Platinum status with The Yacht 

Harbour Association, and win the 2023 

Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina of 

the Year award. 

“It has been a great privilege to 

establish a company and operation in a 

remote region with such special political 

and social circumstances,” she said. “I 

had the honour of accomplishing the 

dream of a great visionary and it has 

been fulfilling and gratifying to witness 

the positive impact of our resort on the 

surrounding area and its contribution to 

the economy in one of the TRNC’s most 

deprived areas.” 

“I leave my role as managing director 

with pride that the marina and resort 

has made a real difference, putting the 

region on the map for the global sailing 

community and bringing international 

guests to the Karpaz Peninsula by land 

and sea,” she added. 

Expanding its portfolio with 

the Karpaz Gate Marina Resort, 

Arkin Group will capitalise on its 

hotel management and yacht 

sector expertise, while affirming its 

commitment to the region’s people and 

the growth of tourism. 

Erbil Arkin, Arkin Group’s founder and 

chairman, said: “We have monitored 

the growth and success of Karpaz Gate 

Marina with great interest in recent 

years, so we had no doubts about 

accepting this exceptional opportunity 

which complements our current hotel 

range perfectly.” 

Iowa marina ramps up improvement plans 

USA: Saylorville Lake Marina, a full-service Suntex facility on Saylorville Lake, a reservoir on the Des Moines River in 

Polk City, Iowa has completed a number of upgrades. 

Most significant is the addition 

of an all-new captain’s lounge 

known as The Bridge, which has a 

wealth of amenities for slip holders 

and guests and panoramic views 

of the lake. It also serves as an 

excellent space for hosting marina 

events. 

Other enhancements currently 

underway include upgraded 

technology to give easier access 

to the marina. Additional capital 

improvements are also planned 

for the future, including a new dry 

storage building, ship store and 

restaurant, as well as an improved 

fuel dock, upgraded bathrooms 

and new courtesy slips. 


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WORLD NEWS 

Newly merged 

pontoon companies 

eye global expansion 

AUSTRALIA: Marine Structures, an entity formed in 

September/October by the strategic merger of Superior 

Jetties with The Jetty Specialist, is looking to play a big part 

in the international superyacht marina sector. 

Superior and The Jetty 

Specialist have dominated 

the design and construction 

of state-of-the-art superyacht berthing and 

pontoon systems throughout Australian 

marinas for many years, with highlights such 

as Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast, 

Queensland (above). Internationally, their host of 

projects include the ADNEC Superyacht Marina 

(Abu Dhabi), Paihia Wharf (New Zealand), 

multiple sites for Port Klang (Malaysia), Eden 

Rock (St Barts) and several other projects in 

Japan, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, 

Taiwan and The Philippines. 

Now positioned as Australia’s largest pontoon 

manufacturer, Marine Structures is poised 

to compete at a higher level. “Our continued 

growth globally, especially in the Asia Pacific 

Gold Anchor winners 

take centre stage 

UK: The winners of The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) Marina Awards 

2024 were announced on 18th September at a ceremony on the Foredeck 

Stage at the Southampton International Boat Show. 

TYHA general manager Jon White 

and TYHA chairman Steve Arber 

welcomed representatives and 

guests of more than 200 Gold Anchor 

accredited marinas. “These awards are 

incredibly special because they are 

voted for by berth holders themselves,” 

White said. “They truly celebrate 

region is a natural progression given 

the increasing demand for high-quality, 

cutting-edge pontoons designed 

to accommodate larger and more 

sophisticated superyachts, as well as 

full ferry infrastructure projects,” says 

Marine Structures director John Hogan 

(left). 

“We’ve earned a reputation for 

excellence in Australia, and we’re 

confident that our experience, 

combined with our innovative designs, 

will make us a trusted partner for 

governments, marinas and superyacht 

facilities around the world,” he adds. 

the cream of the crop marinas that 

offer unbeatable service and an 

extraordinary experience for berth 

holders and visitors alike.” 

• Eight awards were handed out, 

with both winners and runners-up 

welcomed to the stage. The stand-out 

marinas were: 

• Poole Quay Boat Haven (winner 

Coastal Marina of the Year – under 

250 berths) and Emsworth Yacht 

Harbour (runner-up) 

• Boatfolk Royal Quays (winner Coastal 

Marina of the Year – over 250 berths) 

and Beaulieu Marina (runner-up) 

• Overwater Marina (winner Inland 

Marina of the Year) and Shepperton 

Marina (runner-up) 

• Portonovi Marina (winner 

International Marina of the Year) and 

D-Marin Didim Marina (runner-up) 

• Vilamoura Marina (winner Superyacht 

Marina of the Year) and Yalikavak 

Marina (runner-up) 

Vilamoura Marina also won 

Sustainable Marina of the Year; 

Aqueduct Marina was recognised as 

Marina Team of the Year; and Mucella 

Kara of Karpaz Gate Marina awarded 

Employee of the Year. 


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Walcon to build 

SIBS marina for 

15 years 

UK: Walcon Marine has signed a contract with British Marine 

to continue to deliver the marina at the annual Southampton 

International Boat Show (SIBS) for the next 15 years. The 

marina is among the largest recurring temporary marinas in 

the world. 

“We are delighted that British Marine 

has shown its confidence in our ability 

to deliver new marinas well into the 

future,” says Walcon Marine managing 

director James Walters. “We built our 

first marina for what has become one of 

Europe’s largest on-water boat shows 

in 1973. Since then, it has grown and 

evolved into what it is today, a facility 

hosting 350 power and sailing boats of 

all types and sizes.” 

The build up and break down of the 

marina is a major logistical feat. Each 

year, work begins early in the spring 

when the fabrication of the pontoons 

gets underway, with finalisation of the 

layout following sometime later. The 

Queensland marinas driving employment 

AUSTRALIA: The latest economic survey of the health of the Australian marina industry reveals that its 291 marina 

facilities contribute $2.24 billion to the national economy, provide premises for over 2,600 small businesses and support 

close to 22,000 jobs. The industry is performing well, with average berth occupancy exceeding 86%. 

The survey, conducted every 

two years by the Marina Industry 

Association (MIA) and largely funded by 

International Marina Consultants (IMC), 

revealed Queensland as a predictable 

highlight: home to the largest marinas 

in the country; housing around 320 

boats at each facility; and reporting 

the highest average turnover at $3.4 

million. Over 80% of the marinas lease 

space to marine related tenancies, 

most of which are small business 

operators who provide services to 

boaters. Underscoring the employment 

contributions of marinas, each marina 

employs about 14 Queenslanders and 

further engages over 50 contractors. 

With an election looming, the 

industry is keen to ensure that future 

state governments appreciate the 

value that the marina industry brings 

to the economy and the impact it also 

SIBS/British Marine 

next phase is to install around 50 piles 

using Walcon’s piling rig, after which 

the process to install almost 10,000m² 

(107,600ft²) of pontoons begins. The 

pontoons are brought in by sea on 

Walcon’s barges. Last of all, just a week 

or two before the show opens, and with 

the boats already coming in, the three 

bridges that link the marina to the shore 

are installed. 

“It is a major planning and logistical 

challenge,” Walters adds, “but the 

experience that we have accumulated 

over the years serves us well. Since we 

installed our first SIBS marina back in 

1972, SIBS has experienced all sorts of 

weather, including some serious storms 

Coomera Marine Precinct, Queensland. 

has on the tourism sector, with many 

tour operators, particularly in North 

Queensland, operating from marinas. 

Head researcher and report author, 

Dr Ed Mahoney of Michigan State 

University, notes that governments 

need to facilitate more efficient 

assessment and approval frameworks: 

“The findings indicate there is a need 

for additional marina boat storage 

capacity, especially on-water storage 

WORLD NEWS 

and the waves that go with them, but 

SIBS has come through thanks to our 

heavy duty wave attenuating pontoons 

that form the outer perimeter and which 

Robert Parton (left) president of British 

Marine shakes on the contract deal with 

Walcon managing director James Walters. 

also host the largest yachts, tall ships 

and other vessels.” 

spaces, in many locations in Australia. 

A high percentage of marinas cannot 

accommodate additional boats and 

already have waiting lists for spaces 

that become open,” he says. 

“An increasingly tight supply of onwater 

boat storage is likely to negatively 

impact boat sales, drive up the price 

of both on-water and on-land marina 

boat storage alternatives and have 

a negative effect on the recreational 

boating industry in Australia. There is a 

need to encourage a more favourable 

climate for marina operational 

development. This includes educating 

residents and elected officials about 

the economic contribution of marinas 

including support of jobs and labour 

income.” 

The full 61-page report is available 

for purchase on the MIA website 

www.marinas.net.au 


25

WORLD NEWS 

Conference honours 

marinas and yards 

NEW ZEALAND: Half Moon Bay Marina in Auckland was named New Zealand’s 

Marina of the Year for 2024 at the recent New Zealand Marinas and Boatyard 

Conference. The boatyard at Bay of Islands Marina won Boatyard of the Year 

while Waiheke Island Marina and Heron Construction each took top honours 

for innovation (see separate story p.17). 

Organised by the New Zealand 

Marina Operators Association 

(NZMOA), the awards were established 

in 2018 to recognise and celebrate 

excellence in the marina industry. 

Judges praised recently expanded 

Half Moon Bay Marina for realising 

its full potential while addressing 

rising boating costs, and for delivering 

operational excellence. The marina now 

hosts 580 boats and employs 22 staff. 

The boatyard at Bay of Islands 

Marina was singled out for its crucial 

role in Northland’s economy and 

maritime community, and for recent 

positive developments and a distinct 

“team culture”. 

Tom Warren was awarded the 

Graham Ade Memorial Trophy for his 

30-year contribution to the industry, 

Half Moon Bay Marina, winner of the 2024 

Marina of the Year. Below: Proud team 

members from Bay of Islands Marina accept 

the Boatyard of the Year award. 

having worked across several 

prominent marinas and played a 

leading role in industry governance and 

training. 

Seventeen marinas were also 

recognised for their progress in the 

Clean Marina programme, a mission 

to minimise the environmental impact 

of the country’s $540 million marina 

and boatyard industry. Ten of the 17 fly 

the Clean Marina flag at the highest 

possible Level 3 status. 

Commenting on the fact that nearly 

one third of all marinas in the country 

are on a Clean Marina journey, 

NZMOA chair Chris Galbraith noted: 

“Our industry is demanding more and 

better environmental protection all 

the time. The only way we can move 

forward as an industry is by having 

absolute respect for the environment, 

and that has sparked some remarkable 

innovation.” 

Dates and 

times for 

Marinas26 

AUSTRALIA: The Marinas26 

International Conference and Trade 

Exhibition will be held in May 

2026 at the Royal Pines Resort on 

Queensland’s Gold Coast. 

Marina Industries Association 

(MIA) president, Andrew Chapman, 

explained: “The event remains timed 

to follow the 2026 Sanctuary Cove 

International Boat Show (SCIBS) so 

delegates can enjoy a day or two at the 

show ahead of Marinas26, which will 

kick off with our customary welcome 

reception event on Sunday 24th May 

after SCIBS closes.” Two full days of 

conference and exhibition follow on 

25th-26th May, concluding with a gala 

dinner. The study tour takes place on 

Wednesday 27th May and will explore 

exciting new marina facilities. 

The MIA’s biennial event has become 

a must-attend for marina owners, 

operators and suppliers across the Asia 

Pacific region. Close to 400 delegates 

attended Marinas24, which was held in 

Brisbane earlier this year. 

26 www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2024

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WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTS 

A community space developed by the City of 

Ottawa in Canada offers local people a safe 

natural swimming pool. 

Below: Harbour Cruises Marina in Vancouver 

Harbour is strongly community-based, built 

for high density pedestrian use and to safely 

moor recreational boats and small cruise 

vessels. 

Building on water – 

the floating possibilities 

by Quentin Bresson 

Water is a vital resource that covers over 70% of our planet. It is also a place 

of dreams, fantasies and discoveries; a place that has fed the imagination of 

many adventurers. It is at the heart of our economies and our developments, 

offering infinite opportunities as long as we look after it and take care of its 

ecosystems. With this in mind, and the opportunity it offers, the industry is 

working to envision a future, built on a tremendous ambition: the ability to live 

on water. 

The definition of health given by the 

World Health Organization (WHO) has 

not changed since 1946. It combines 

physical, mental and social well-being, 

and goes well beyond the absence of 

disease or infirmity. A pan-European 

project is underway to study the links 

between urban blue spaces, climate 

and health. This project, named 

BlueHealth, adopts interdisciplinary 

approaches to examine how well-being 

could be encouraged through the 

development of blue infrastructure, i.e. 

aquatic spaces. Its aim is to influence 

the design, planning and management 

of accessible, high-quality blue spaces. 

Demographic growth, urbanisation 

and increasingly scarce natural 

resources have strongly impacted 

the availability of developable land, 

resulting in major social, economic and 

environmental impacts. Inequality is 

rising worldwide, and access to housing 

is becoming increasingly complex. And 

yet the most expensive cities in the 

world in terms of cost per square meter 

are also those with access to water: 

for example, Hong Kong, Singapore, 

Geneva, Zurich, Copenhagen and 

Paris. Building on the water could be 

a practical and quick-to-implement 

solution to reduce land stress. In 

addition, the architecture is a powerful 

marker of urban development and the 

construction – or renovation – has 

long taken ecological challenges into 

account. 

When waterfronts are properly 

developed and integrated into the 

local ecosystem, spaces that border 

the water become favoured locations 

that improve standards of living. They 

are also relaxation and leisure spaces 

that are highly valued by residents 

and encourage interaction and living 

as a more connected community: 

promenades, parks, play and 

pedestrian areas, museums, cultural 

centres, event venues, and more. As 

a result, life on water is becoming 

available to all, offering an ideal publicly 

available setting that goes beyond how 

traditional marinas are seen. A one 

of a kind community space has, for 

example, been developed by the City of 

Ottawa: a safe natural pool, surrounded 

by aluminium docks and featuring 

access steps that have been specially 

designed for sunbathing and relaxing. 

Opportunities for marinas 

The industry is, unfortunately, facing 

an aging population in certain marinas 

and markets. With an aging clientele 

that is gradually giving up boating, 

berth renewals thus not taking place, 

and new habits being adopted, 

some marinas are facing a dilemma 

because their income depends solely 


29

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Friday Harbour Resort on Lake Simcoe in Ontario – designed and built by Poralu Marine in record 

time – comprises both fixed and floating docks. 

on berth rental. Integrated waterfront 

development should be seen as an 

opportunity for marinas to strengthen 

their business by diversifying their 

activity and thus their revenues. 

Commercial activities 

Floating living or commercial spaces 

are innovative approaches to 

development, particularly in areas 

facing environmental and space-related 

challenges, but such infrastructure on 

water requires rethinking, not only in 

terms of living and working spaces 

themselves, but on construction 

methods as well. The range of options 

is increasing to cover homes, hotels, 

retail, small residential and tertiary 

buildings, combining minimal footprint 

and astonishing customer on-water 

experience. 

Economics have demonstrated 

that developments on water are 

perceived as premium areas helping 

developers achieve a better overall ROI 

in comparison to similar land-based 

infrastructure, specifically in regions 

and countries where land is extremely 

expensive. 

Environmental thinking 

In addition to their proven social and 

economic benefits, shoreline and 

waterfront developments have to 

be designed around protecting and 

developing the marine environment 

where innovative approaches co-exist 

with nature. 

Environmental protection can be 

broken down into three main areas, 

each of which is essential in its 

own way: decreasing the impact of 

construction; protecting the existing; 

and regenerating. 

Decreasing consists of putting the 

construction and design process 

through an environmental filter that, 

for instance, focuses on anchoring 

systems with limited seabed footprint, 

such as anchoring screws and 

underwater elastomeric systems, or 

using modular dock technologies that 

can be moved and reorganised in 

response to ecosystems dynamics. 

Protecting can be summed up in 

policies drastically limiting impacts 

linked to property management, e.g. 

introducing independent wastewater 

treatment solutions and encouraging 

wastewater reuse. 

Regenerating lies in leveraging 

the infrastructure to improve the 

surrounding marina ecosystem. 

Floating developments and 

incorporated floating gardens help 

develop biodiversity and create habitats 

for marine life. Floating solar panels and 

wind/wave turbines can be installed and 

used to generate renewable energy. 

Climate disruption 

Harbours, marinas and waterfront cities 

are key areas of concern in the face of 

climate change, in part because they 

are directly affected by the expected 

consequences of rising water levels. 

This could affect harbour infrastructure, 

impacting its use and access, and could 

even lead to facilities being damaged 

or destroyed, with major economic 

consequences. 

These areas are also particularly 

sought after within the context of rising 

temperatures thanks to their unique 

position at the interface between land 

and water. Depending on their layout, 

the cooling effect of the water and the 

openness of natural spaces and high 

levels of vegetation, make them islands 

of cool that are in high demand during 

periods of intense heat. Simply seeing 

a body of water gives us a sense of 

coolness even before we feel its effects. 

Faced with this dilemma, harbours, 

marinas and cities with inland waters 

are transforming themselves into 

innovation hubs that are creating the 

future of urban living, including the rise 

of floating cities. 

Waterfront development is already a 

reality. Projects are being developed to 

meet urban residents’ new expectations, 

and as usable space on land becomes 

increasingly rare. This infrastructure 

brings to life a vision – a common future. 

Many cities across the world have 

seized the opportunities to develop on 

water and today, some of these urban 

areas are among the most densely 

populated in the world. Many of these 

cities have become major metropolises, 

attracting both businesses and 

residents. They offer a privileged living 

environment with pleasant, highly 

prized natural landscapes. 

Following a year and a half of 

research and development, Poralu 

Marine – as a solution provider – put 

together a team dedicated to waterfront 

development businesses. The focus is 

to tackle very concrete issues: opening 

up new possibilities and enabling 

public and private stakeholders to 

see the water as a new space full of 

opportunities. By always focusing on 

the expectations of operators and 

users, Poralu Marine has created 

a range of competitive packaged 

solutions as well as undertaking fully 

customised projects that meet the 

needs of specific situations and build on 

our proven expertise all over the world. 

Marinas have to consider diversified 

waterfront development as a way to 

meet the increased demand for public 

access to water. Building on water 

encourages us to go beyond the limits 

of land and completely rethink our 

lifestyles. This future is possible thanks 

to unrivalled technical innovations 

and the expertise of people within the 

industry who are committed to positive 

social and environmental change. 

Quentin Bresson is manager 

for Poralu Marine’s waterfront 

development business unit. 


31


One of the most luxurious new resort 

destinations in Saudi Arabia, Amaala adopts 

health and wellbeing as its core theme and 

will provide the highest levels of ‘wellness’ 

opportunities in a broad mix of offerings. 

Substantial progress for 

luxury wellness destination 

Red Sea Global (RSG) continues to make substantial progress with the 

development of Amaala, the ultra-luxury Saudi Arabian destination on the 

northwestern coast of the Red Sea that takes health and wellness as its 

central theme and focus. 

RSG is redefining coastal lifestyle 

with spaces in Amaala designed 

for deep connection to nature, self 

and the community. From medical 

and integrative wellness and sundrenched 

adventure to world-class art 

and transformative events, the resort 

seamlessly integrates space for both 

people and nature. 

“We have achieved remarkable 

progress across every aspect of 

Amaala, from our signature resorts 

and immersive experiences to 

essential utilities and infrastructure. 

Our unwavering focus is on infusing 

sustainability and regenerative 

principles into every facet of the 

development. Once complete, Amaala 

will present an extraordinary collection 

of assets and experiences that will 

elevate wellness, lifestyle and human 

connection,” said John Pegano, Group 

CEO at Red Sea Global. 

To date, RSG has awarded more 

than 600 contracts for Amaala 

worth nearly SAR 23 billion ($6.13 

billion) to world-leading partners 

who share its ambitions to co-create 

luxury and wellness destinations 

that are developed in line with 

responsible development practices, 

prioritising regenerative initiatives and 

collaboration with local communities. 

As development advances, 

several key areas are moving toward 

completion, each one bringing the 

destination closer to welcoming guests: 

Triple Bay Marina Village: The 

Equinox Resort is now topped out 

and concrete structure work on the 

Village Boutique Hotel main building, 

condominiums and villas is nearing 

completion. This bustling hub will 

soon offer guests a haven of scenic 

boardwalks, waterfront restaurants, 

luxurious boutiques and well-known 

retailers, plus a vibrant year-round 

events programme, all set against the 

breathtaking backdrop of the Red Sea. 

The Marina: Flooding of the marina 

basin, the resort’s stunning central 

feature, was complete at the end of 

2023 and the floating pontoons and 

fixed docks are under construction. 

Yacht Club: All construction contracts 

have been awarded and concrete works 

are close to completion, with structural 

steel and MEP works now started. 

Corallium: Steel and façade works at 

RSG’s marine life institute, which will 

be home to various marine research 

operations and visitor experiences, is 

well advanced and the distinctive, reefinspired 

building is now visibly taking 

shape. 

Wellness Core: Superstructures are 

present on 80% of the 220 buildings 

within this zone, which will include 

world leading wellness resorts such 

as Jayasom and Clinique La Prairie. 

Guests will discover an environment 

where they can focus on mental, 

physical and energy regeneration. 

Triple Bay Central: The worldrenowned 

partner resorts and 

residences in this area are well on 

track, with Rosewood and Six Senses 

surpassing the two thirds complete 

milestone. At Four Seasons, the 

landscaping, MEP and façade works 

are underway. Set to open their doors 

in 2025, the resorts are a key part 

of Amaala’s wellness and lifestyle 

ecosystem, providing guests with 

access to some of the world’s premier 

hotel, health and leisure brands. 

Ocean Golf Course: Amaala will 

boast three nine-hole golf courses, 

plus a further nine-hole executive par 3 

course. Phase one of the development 

will total 18 holes and is proceeding 

well, with all major works complete 

for three holes, and the remaining 

15 holes underway. The courses will 

allow visitors to experience sports and 

relaxation in a luxurious environment 

with scenic ocean views. 

Primary Infrastructure: Works are 

heading towards completion including 

35km (21.7mi) of internal roads, 

plus power, water, irrigation and 

communications infrastructure. RSF 

is targeting to energise in December 

2024. 

Public Realm and Landscaping: RSG 

expects three million plants and trees to 

be planted before the end of the year. 

In another major development, 

earlier this year the Ministry of Health 

approved the design for the Amaala 

Hospital, which will provide healthcare 

services for residents and visitors to the 

420,000ha destination. 

Once complete, Amaala will feature 

close to 4,000 hotel rooms across 30 

hotels, as well as 1,200 luxury villas, 

apartments and estate homes. It will 

also be supported by high-end retail, 

fine dining, wellness and recreational 

facilities. Amaala will be powered 

entirely by solar energy, saving the 

equivalent of nearly half a million tons 

of CO 2 emissions every year. 


Untitled-2 1 18/06/2024 20:05


Left & below: A solar walkway in the 

Maldives harnesses clean energy for 

waterfront use. Images: Seavolt 

Factoring in the need 

for electric power 

by Greg Weykamp 

By now, we’re all getting used to seeing electric vehicles (EVs) on the road 

everywhere we go, and we’re now seeing more and more electric boats on the 

water. If this sounds surprising, consider the following numbers. In 2010, only 

300 EVs were sold in the USA. In 2023, that number rose to over 1.2 million 

in the US and over 9.5 million worldwide. What is the bestselling vehicle in 

America? The Ford F150 of course, with over 750,000 sold. Worldwide though? 

The bestselling vehicle of any type was the Tesla Model Y, with 1.23 million 

sold – nearly half a million more than the F150. The second most popular car in 

the world was the Toyota Rav4, which costs on average $20,000 less than the 

Model Y. As this is a magazine about marinas, why do we care about that? 

Well first of all, these are our 

customers. They might be interested 

in finding EV chargers at your marina, 

and that might make them choose 

your marina over a competitor. More to 

the point though is that the traditional 

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) we’re 

all used to is facing bans all over the 

globe in coming years. 

Starting next year, the sale of 

new ICE vehicles will be banned in 

Norway, and ICE powered boats will be 

banned in the central historic canals in 

Amsterdam. In 2030, new vehicle ICE 

bans are due to take effect in the UK, 

Iceland, Sweden, Israel and Singapore. 

In 2035, Canada, the European Union, 

Japan and Chile will implement bans, 

and more will follow in 2040. 

While the US has not set a date for 

the end of ICE vehicles nationwide, at 

least twelve states will ban new ICE 

vehicles starting in 2035, including 

coastal states such as California, 

New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, 

Connecticut and Maryland. If your 

marina is in any of those states, it is 

only a matter of time before more and 

more of your customers start showing 

up with electric powered boats. 

Serving electric powered boats in our 

marinas raises 

some interesting 

issues we all need 

to start preparing 

for, including 

building charging 

infrastructure 

(and eventually 

selling less petrol/ 

gas and diesel) 

in both wet slip 

and drystack 

marinas, fire 

safety, and weight 

considerations in 

drystack facilities 

(electric powered 

vehicles of any 

type are currently 

significantly 

heavier than ICE 

powered vehicles due to the weight 

of the batteries). 

The risk of fire 

Let’s address fire safety first, since 

the way the news media covers 

EV fires encourages most people 

to firmly believe they are far more 

likely to catch fire. The truth may 

surprise you though. According to 

NHTSA statistics, there is a car 

fire every five minutes in the US. 

Sixty-eight out of every 100,000 ICE 

vehicles will catch fire every year, 

with the most common cause being 

electric wiring. In comparison, only 3.8 

out of every 100,000 electric powered 

vehicles will catch fire. 

This means that an ICE vehicle, 

likely the one you’re driving, is 29 times 

more likely to catch fire than an electric 

vehicle. The majority of EV fires are 

caused by physical damage to the 

battery, such as hitting an object or a 

collision rather than faulty components. 

The bottom line is that if you’re worried 

about an electric boat catching fire 

in your marina or drystack facility, 

you should really be worried about 

all of those boats with a tank full of 

combustible liquid! 

While EV fires are quite rare, they 

are very difficult to extinguish. As fire 

departments become more familiar 

with EV fires, they are developing new 

techniques to address them. These 

include techniques to breach the 

battery compartments to apply water 


35


Seavolt’s Ocean Sun single ring solar panel 

(right), and electric boat charging pedestal at 

Sanctuary Cove Marine, Australia (below). 

directly to the location of the fire, which 

has proven to be very effective, or 

special blankets to contain the fire. 

While I can assure you that the 

statistics support the fact that electric 

vehicles are much less likely to catch 

fire, the same cannot be said of lower 

priced and poorly designed e-bikes, 

e-scooters, hoverboards, and other 

similar low-cost electric powered toys. 

There have been a number of instances 

of fires caused by cheap e-bikes during 

charging, leading to fires and bans 

on storing or charging them indoors. 

At least for now, while we believe it 

is safe to store and charge electric 

boats inside since they are very well 

engineered, we do not recommend 

allowing e-bikes or similar electric 

powered toys to be charged unattended 

inside boats or buildings. 

Charging challenges 

Charging of electric vehicles of any 

type, boats or cars, falls into one of 

three categories. Level 1, or slow 

charging, uses a standard 120v 20amp 

receptacle, just like you might use to 

charge your phone. For most cars, 

this level of charging can add four to 

five miles of range per hour. While this 

might work to charge your Torqeedo 

outboard, it is not much use for 

charging the much larger battery of an 

electric boat propulsion system. 

Level 2, or medium charging, 

typically uses a 240v 48amp or similar 

receptacle. This level of charging can 

add 40-50 miles of range per hour, or 

roughly a ten-fold increase in charging 

speed. This level will fully charge most 

vehicles overnight or in six to eight 

hours. 

Finally, Level 3, or fast charging 

(often called “supercharging”) relies on 

Direct Current systems at up to 350kW. 

These systems can charge at speeds 

of up to 1,000 miles of range per hour, 

and charge nearly any electric vehicle 

from zero to 100% in 40-60 minutes. 

So, what will we need to provide in 

our marinas to take 

care of our boaters? 

For the most part, 

Level 2 medium speed 

charging is sufficient 

for the vast majority 

of boating activities 

using a standard 

50amp shore power 

connection. As we 

design new marinas 

to incorporate the new 

ground fault protection 

requirements, 

we recommend 

consideration of 

building in additional 

capacity for future 

increases in demand 

for electric power. 

While not likely a 

major issue in the 

next ten to 15 years, 

once there are a lot of 

electric powered boats 

in marinas, we will be seeing “load 

sharing” technologies that are already 

present in Level 2 home EV charging 

systems to balance charging loads 

throughout the marina. 

For special use cases, such as boat 

rental facilities and high traffic transient 

docks, several manufacturers produce 

high speed Level 3 chargers that should 

be organised much like a fuel dock. 

Don’t locate them on your fuel dock 

though, because you don’t want them 

taking up space for 30-40 minutes, and 

there are specific requirements for how 

close they can be to fuel dispensers. 

Charging in the drystack 

Charging an electric powered boat 

in a drystack facility presents a few 

challenges, the most obvious of which 

is how to plug in a boat on the third 

or fourth level of your rack? Potential 

strategies to address this using 

existing technology for the foreseeable 

future might include locating electric 

boats only on the bottom level where 

access is easy, or charging the boats 

in a service rack using a high speed 

charger before storing the boat in the 

rack later. 

Keeping in mind that we’ve only really 

had EVs in high volumes for about 15 

years, newer technologies that might 

transform the industry in the future 

include induction charging built into 

the racks and hulls of boats, battery 

swapping, or most likely, increasing 

charging speeds by a factor of two or 

three times, will eliminate the issue 

altogether once charging becomes as 

fast as filling a gas tank. 



Who builds electric boats? 

Start looking for electric boats at your 

next boat show, and you might be 

surprised at how many options are 

already on the market. Just like the 

automotive industry, the market for 

electric boats is starting at the high end 

and will eventually trickle down to lower 

priced options. 

Some of the most interesting boats 

available today are the Nautique 

GS22E powered by Ingenity, which is 

a very capable wake sports boat that 

is fully electric, runs two to three hours 

in full wake sports mode, and can hold 

up to eleven people. Other builders 

include X Shore, Candela, Navier, Duffy 

and Forza, all of which are pushing the 

boundaries of the technology. 

Torqeedo builds a wide range of 

electric drive systems ranging from 

small outboards up to 100kW systems 

capable of powering much larger 

vessels. 

In summary, if you haven’t explored 

the world of EVs or electric boating, 

I highly encourage you to give it a 

try. Having driven exclusively electric 

powered vehicles myself for the last 

four years, often more than 30,000 

Charging up an electric boat in Sydney Harbour. 

miles per year with regular long road 

trips of well over 600 miles, I can 

assure you that the technology is ready 

for prime time and only getting better. 

The cost of fuelling and maintaining an 

EV is much lower than ICE vehicles, 

and when you consider the total cost 

of ownership, EVs are generally less 

expensive overall despite higher initial 

purchase prices. I firmly believe that 

electric powered boats will make 

boating more fun, quieter, cleaner and 

less expensive in the future, and the 

future will be here before you know it! 

Gregory Weykamp is president/ 

principal of Edgewater Resources, 

LLC, a waterfront consultancy based 

in Michigan, USA. 

formerly The Jetty Specialist & Superior Jetties 

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Cristoforo Rocco di Torrepadula, speaking 

from his home in Port Grimaud. 

Is the essence of 

Port Grimaud 

under threat? 

An internationally recognised pioneer of the waterfront village concept, Port 

Grimaud in the French Gulf of Saint Tropez is a World Heritage Site with a 

unique ambience. Residents fear that interventions in the name of progress 

may threaten its self-sufficient infrastructure, environmental balance and 

unique spirit. Donatella Zucca, a property owner in Port Grimaud, explains. 

Port Grimaud was built in the 1960s 

to designs drawn up by architect and 

sailor François Spoerry, a resistance 

fighter from Alsace who survived the 

WW2 horrors of Dachau concentration 

camp. He sought to create a lakeside 

village with a strong artisan imprint, to 

be inhabited by people from all over the 

world as a symbol of love, peace and 

brotherhood. 

Cristoforo Rocco di Torrepadula, an 

expert in the financing of infrastructure 

investment and a longstanding owner 

of a house in Port Grimaud, looks 

back. “The marshy land at the base 

of the Gulf of Saint Tropez, which no 

one wanted to go near, seemed ideal 

for realising Spoerry’s dream from 

scratch,” he explains. Transforming an 

inhospitable area into a place of life 

and beauty represented a victory of 

good over evil. “The authorities wanted 

to develop the area economically,” he 

continues, “so the idea of a project 

financed mostly by foreigners (70% at 

the time compared with 48% today) 

was listened to and accepted.” 

The Municipality gave Spoerry carte 

blanche and he created a paradise 

where it was only possible to travel by 

water, with mooring in front of each 

house, a school, post office, bank, 

pharmacy, clinic, playgrounds and all 

that is still in place today. Spoerry’s 

model was the Venice “of the past”, 

a series of canals crossed by slow 

moving mid-sized and small boats in 

harmony with house size and the fragile 

balance of the waters. 

Natacha Lamy, a doctor in marine 

biology who has been on site since 

2023 to study marine life, says that it 

is incredible to see how much nature 

has taken over Port Grimaud in under 

60 years; an amazing phenomenon 

if you think about its artificial nature 

as a village created from nothing. The 

seabed is home to a prolific balance 

of marine flora and fauna thanks 

to the genius of the architect who 

incorporated a system of incoming and 

outgoing fresh and salt water currents 

to energise a lifeless swamp. 

Inevitably, over the years many of the 

original elements of Port Grimaud have 

disappeared, giving way to property 

typical of holiday resorts. Today, there 

are 7km (4.3mi) of canals and 14km 

(8.6mi) of quayside, 2,400 houses and 

over 2,000 moorings divided between 

three sectors (Port Grimaud 1-3). Land 

is managed by three autonomous 

associations spread across the 75ha 

(185 acre) Grimaud Municipality. 

In anticipation of the end of the 

existing state concessions and 

following an audit commissioned in 

2019, the Municipality voted in 2022 to 

terminate the concessions earlier than 

agreed due to problems with consistent 

management, and to take over the port 

concession itself. This action continues 

to be opposed by owners’ associations 

for Port Grimaud 1 and 2 with legal 

action ongoing. The Municipality’s 

declared intention to improve, update 

and renew the port via a mega project 

presents worrying implications to build 

on concerns over other changes. 

In recent years, the tennis club near 

the entrance to Port Grimaud 2, for 

example, has disappeared. We, and 

our children, played there for years, 

guided by a very good and much-loved 

teacher. In its place is a car park for 

Port Grimaud 3 properties. We have 

owned an apartment in Port Grimaud 



Everything in Port Grimaud was originally 

designed and planned as an artisaninfluenced 

small scale community. The 

simple beach (right) and the multi-dwelling 

canalside buildings and small boats (below) 

capture the essence of the village. 

2 for over 50 years and we miss some 

nice services, such as the boat that 

delivered hot croissants. The restaurant 

opposite the shipyard had difficulty 

obtaining permission to reopen after 

modernisation and improvement works, 

and the newsagent/chandler/general 

store in Place du Sud closed. Several 

other establishments have been 

replaced by land and docks allocated 

to fast charter boats, and boats moored 

in front of houses and navigating the 

canals are increasingly bigger. 

From the sofa at his house, fronting 

his garden and boat, I ask Cristoforo 

what strikes him most about the 

project and why he is taking part in 

almost all of the meetings on the 

topic organised by the Municipality. 

“We started receiving very aggressive 

threats in 2022 from the Municipality 

for additional mooring payments, 

despite having already paid until the 

concession expires in December 2025,” 

he says. “This anticipated the end of 

the concession by three years and 

everyone has been wondering what 

right they have to do this. There is a 

legal issue, which has to be discussed 

in court. Those who do not pay face a 

fine and, if the demand is sent to 

a Port Grimaud property that is 

not a person’s main residence, 

as happened to me, it’s seen late 

and followed by a letter from the 

bailiff demanding payment within 

ten days or a bank account 

freeze.” 

Another controversial issue, 

he adds “is the offer of a 35-year 

concession to home owners 

for the right to have a boat in 

front of their house. This right 

is registered to a person, is 

not transferrable and has to be 

renewed annually.” 

By taking possession of the 

water plan, residents fear that 

the Municipality is developing 

projects that clash with both 

the DNA of Port Grimaud and 

its environment despite the 

mayor’s sincere insistence that 

he recognises their importance. 

Projects include building a 

mega breakwater to protect the 

entrance to Port Grimaud 1; moorings 

for 30 to 40m (98 to 131ft) yachts 

that will need adequate services for 

captains and crew (not mentioned in 

plans); demolition of the harbour office 

for an expanded building and – as can 

be seen already – increased space for 

charter boats which, by boosting the 

number of boats on site, complicates 

traffic in the canals and places stress 

on the seabed. 

In short, the plans are to transform 

Port Grimaud into something very 

different from what it fortunately still 

is and, roughly speaking, compete 

with Saint Tropez where the seabed 

is appropriate for port use. A new 

breakwater and perhaps systematic 

dredging work would affect the water 

current in addition to changes caused 

by increased boat traffic. This will make 

it difficult to respect the spirit of Port 

Grimaud despite claims and promises 

made by the mayor to François 

Spoerry’s widow Denise Spoerry. 

At one of the meetings organised 

by the Municipality this summer, 

Dr Jérôme Stevens, who sailed in 

Port Grimaud as a teenager, while 

appearing in favour of modernisation, 

expressed his fear that Port 

Grimaud would become an 

annex of Saint Tropez, with its 

procession of large luxury boats 

in contrast with the peaceful 

art de vivre focusing on the 

sea, sailing and nature that has 

always reigned. 

Environmental stability is 

paramount. Spoerry studied the 

play of water currents for a long 

time to ensure that they moved 

water everywhere, self-cleaning it 

and giving entry to fish. Sea bass 

and sea bream actually spawn in 

some of the inner reaches. The 

River Giscle also contributes, 

flowing in and out between 

Cogolin Marina and Port Grimaud 

2 up to six times a day. 

There is much ongoing 

discussion. We must hope 

to retain such an excellent 

environmental footprint but also to 

maintain harmony with the spirit 

of a very special and magical 

place. 


41

Via Alba-Narzole, 19 

Diano d’Alba (CN) - 12055 

www.boatlift.it 

info@boatlift.it 

+39 (0)173 500357


Banagher Marina on the River Shannon is a 

hub for outdoor activities. 

Photo: Robert G216 

Bringing new life to 

Banagher Marina 

Underutilised but bursting with potential, Banagher Marina in the Republic 

of Ireland is set to be revamped as the local council unveils a development 

masterplan that places it at the heart of the town. Charlotte Niemiec reports 

Banagher Marina in the market town 

of Banagher in West County Offaly, 

Ireland sits on the banks of the River 

Shannon, the longest river in the 

British Isles. The marina facility has 

been gradually developed since the 

1960s, and today bustles with activity, 

providing safe moorings for pleasure 

boats and privately owned cruises. 

An essential asset to the town, the 

marina plays an important role in local 

tourism and economic activity. It is not 

just a functional space for boating and 

water sports, it is also a gateway to the 

broader Shannon region and is home to 

cruise hire companies, water adventure 

Conceptual designs for the revamped marina. 

hubs and other outdoor activities. 

The marina and associated 

waterfront have, however, long needed 

improvements to enhance their 

usability and attractiveness. Early 

in the planning stage, Offaly County 

Council launched a public consultation 

to gather input from the community. 

This highlighted several key priorities 

for locals, including improving basic 

amenities such as toilets, seating 

and signage, addressing parking 

and traffic congestion, and ensuring 

the marina and water access were 

suitable for use. The community also 

called for walking and cycling paths to 

connect nearby areas, enhancing the 

town’s appearance, providing a wider 

variety of accommodation options, 

supporting casual trading and dining, 

and expanding both water and landbased 

activities. Additionally, options 

for developing the pool area were 

being explored through Galway County 

Council. 

The council then asked Place + 

Urbanism and CHL Consulting to 

develop a masterplan to address these 

needs, to capitalise on the town’s 

potential and align it with the goals of 

Ireland’s 2040 planning initiative, which 

emphasises sustainable development, 

tourism growth and regional 

revitalisation. 

The masterplan’s overarching vision 

is of a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant 

community space that maximises the 

marina’s natural setting while offering 

modern amenities and experiences. Its 

plan would integrate the marina into 

the wider town, making it accessible to 

more people and creating opportunities 

for economic development. 

Proposals for the marina area take 

into consideration the fact that this is 

a working marina with boatyards that 

provides a base for two long-standing 

cruise hire companies and two waterbased 

activity centres, while also 

needing to provide access to the water 

for individual boat owners. 

Key focus areas 

The masterplan focuses on several key 

objectives, each designed to contribute 

to the long-term sustainability and 

success of Banagher as a tourist 

destination and a place to live. 

One of its major goals is to prioritise 

pedestrian movement within the 

marina and reduce vehicles. This 


43


There is plenty of opportunity for developing 

the waterspace (right), which is currently 

used for quayside mooring (below). 

includes limiting vehicles in key areas, 

redesigning parking facilities and 

installing seasonal bollards that shut 

areas off during busier times of the year 

so as to make the marina a safer and 

more enjoyable space for walking and 

leisure. Public spaces within the marina 

area will also be significantly upgraded, 

including new landscaping, seating 

areas and public art installations. 

The ground surface along the 

marina will be upgraded to prioritise 

pedestrians, and landscaped along the 

river’s edge. Parking will be eliminated 

from the marina front itself, apart from 

limited temporary parking for cruise 

hire customers. Parking will be provided 

for single vehicles and cars with boat 

trailers to the rear of the marina to 

encourage increased use of the marina 

by private boat owners. 

Boating facilities will be improved to 

reinforce the marina’s role as a boating 

hub. New jetties will be built to offer a 

total number of 250 berths, mooring 

facilities will be improved and there will 

be better boat access. According to the 

masterplan, these upgrades will cater 

to the growing demand from both local 

boaters and tourists to use the River 

Shannon for recreational purposes. 

The improved facilities will also position 

the marina as a key stopover point for 

those exploring the broader Shannon 

waterways, boosting the town’s 

reputation as a boating destination. 

Integration with the town 

Foremost in the designs are plans to 

link the marina with the town’s key 

areas via new pedestrian pathways, 

making it easier for residents and 

visitors to move between the two. It 

is hoped this improved connectivity 

will help draw people into the marina 

area and encourage them to explore 

other parts of the town, such as shops, 

restaurants and historical sites. 

The plans identify the Royal 

Shannon Hotel as a key opportunity 

for regeneration and development. This 

protected structure, located on the main 

street and adjoining the marina, has 

been vacant and semi-derelict for years. 

Offaly County Council recently acquired 

the building and commissioned a 

separate Conservation Masterplan and 

Feasibility Study to explore its potential. 

The vision is to redevelop it for either 

civic functions or accommodation, with 

a focus on ensuring it contributes to the 

overall objectives of the masterplan. 

The masterplan proposes the 

creation of a gateway to the marina at 

the hotel, complemented by a raised 

boardwalk designed to link the marina 

with historic sites and other points of 

interest in the area. The boardwalk will 

provide an elevated, scenic route that 

allows visitors to experience the natural 

beauty of the Shannon River while 

learning about the region’s history and 

heritage. 

A new boathouse is also proposed 

to store Banagher’s local long boat, the 

‘Sionn Mhara’. This is envisioned to be 

located within the public realm near the 

hotel. The area will be integrated into 

the new public plaza, providing routes 

that connect to the marina. 

All aspects of the design focus 

on using sustainable materials 

and construction methods in the 

marina development, along with the 

implementation of environmental 

management practices to protect the 

surrounding natural areas. 

Banagher town “has high amenity 

and natural heritage value, with the 

marina being the most active boating 

hub in the South Shannon,” said the 

Council’s Anna Marie Delaney. “This 

offers the potential to develop and 

enhance outdoor activities that will 

attract visitors from elsewhere and 

create a pleasant tourism experience 

for the area.” 

Council director of services, Andrew 

Murray, added: “This masterplan is the 

culmination of a comprehensive public 

consultation process involving the 

community, local businesses, marina 

businesses, various sections of Offaly 

County Council, Waterways Ireland, 

Fáilte Ireland, Uisce Éireann and local 

residents. This masterplan will act as 

a catalyst in supporting regeneration 

projects and drive sustainable tourism, 

social and economic development of 

Banagher into the future in line with the 

aspirations of Ireland 2040.” 



The Marina Port Valencia 

plan includes three 

individual marinas: 

Marina Norte, Marina Sur 

and Marina City. 

Project ‘Valencia ’ : 

integrating the port 

with the city 

An ambitious project to revitalise Marina de Valencia – now to be named 

Marina Port Valencia – on Spain’s Mediterranean coast was firmed up in 

October when Valencia Port Authority signed a contract to move renovation 

plans and operations forward. 

Further to a call for bids in May, the 

port authority has now appointed a 

joint venture between Semar (Serveis 

Maritims Port Eivissa) and Ocibar, 

two groups that have specialised 

in benchmark projects in the 

Mediterranean, to develop and operate 

the projects for a minimum period of 35 

years. 

The plan features three individual 

marinas known as Marina Norte, 

Marina Sur and Marina City, which will 

revamp the entire site to give it a totally 

new ambience. Furthermore, due to 

Valencia’s ideal geographical location 

and its connections with the yachting 

sector, e.g. as host to the America’s 

Cup, the intention is to transform the 

area with top-class yachting and social 

attractions. 

The planned renovation works will 

reshape Marina Port Valencia into four 

unique areas. The first will include the 

three marinas, equipped to host vessels 

of 8 to 130m (26 to 430ft), in the heart 

of the city. The second will involve the 

construction of a refit and repair yard 

with first-class specialist companies 

and the third a leisure, dining and 

entertainment area expertly integrated 

into the environment to make the 

marina a must-visit for local, national 

and international guests. The fourth 

area is planned as an architecturally 

stunning office and retail space with 

exceptional sea views, complemented 

with parking spaces, 

bike lanes, jogging 

tracks, terraces and 

landscaped gardens. 

The operators 

One key factor in the 

success of all the 

facilities managed by 

Semar and Ocibar is 

that both companies 

are renowned for their 

excellence and their 

culture of service, 

while also providing 

facilities with their 

own personality and 

full integration into 

their setting. When it 

comes to developing a 

new project, they both 

pay close attention to 

in-depth analysis and 

study of the local environment and 

socioeconomic status. 

There are several entities involved in 

the concession. Semar is a joint venture 

between two companies well known in 

the yachting and tourism industries: the 

IPM Group and the Alonso Marí Group 

via Insotel Marine Group (IMG). 

The IPM Group is an association of 

leading companies in the international 

yachting industry that started operating 

in the 1990s with the construction 

and management of Marina Port de 

Mallorca. It has since been involved 

in the creation and management of 

various marinas and yards such as 

Marina Ibiza, Marina Port Ibiza, Marina 

Palma Cuarentena, Marina Port Mahón, 

STP Shipyard Palma, Varadero Ibiza 

and Varadero Valencia. 

IMG Group is part of the Alonso Marí 

Group, a business conglomerate that 

includes leading companies in tourism, 

yachting, construction, property 

development and services. It has over 

50 years’ experience and employs over 

2,000 people. 

IPM and IMG joined forces over ten 

years ago to create Marina Ibiza and 

turn it into a five-star facility with an 

international reputation as a superyacht 

destination. 

Ocibar has specialised in the 

construction and management of 


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Patrick Reynes (left) giving a preview of 

the Marina Port Valencia project at the 

Valencia Boat Show. 

yacht facilities for over 25 years and 

its portfolio includes Port Adriano in 

Mallorca, designed by Philippe Starck; 

Porto Tarraco, a marina in Tarragona 

that specialises in superyacht wintering; 

laid-back Marina Santa Eulalia in Ibiza; 

and Marina Botafoc, which boasts more 

charter berths than anywhere else in 

Ibiza. 

The company also specialises in 

revitalising marinas, providing retail 

space, outstanding design features, 

and events and concert venues. 

The project is also being supported 

by numerous partners, including Erre 

Arquitectura and Ingeneria Civil de 

Levante, which have been involved 

in architecture and engineering on 

both land and sea; GEICorp technical, 

strategic and financial advisors; and 

Global Management Consultancy 

led by highly experienced project 

manager Jose Luis Fayos who provided 

consulting services on the Marina Port 

Valencia project. 

Patrick Reynes, CEO of Marina 

Port Valencia and IPM-IMG Group, 

gave a preview of the plan at the 

Valencia Boat Show in mid-October 

where he stressed how the project 

will complement the spectacular 

development that Valencia is currently 

experiencing by thrusting the Valencian 

yachting industry into the limelight, and 

integrating the port with the city. 

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Monaco Rendezvous: Smart and 

Sustainable Marinas 2024 

Building on the success of past events, the Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, held at the Yacht Club 

de Monaco in September, brought together nearly 250 important players in the marina sector to explore how technology, 

finance and architecture can revolutionise marina operations, sustainability and the user experience. 

On behalf of Alcudiamar Marina in Mallorca, Mar Vera Vives accepts the award for the most 

sustainable and intelligent marina. 

Across two days of debates 

and networking, this year’s event 

showcased innovative solutions for 

managing marinas, practical ways 

to secure investment, and expert 

input on how to design marinas with 

environmental sustainability in mind. 

In a session that explored optimising 

marina experiences through technology, 

moderated by Gino Battaglia, 

president of the Italian Yacht Masters 

Association, industry leaders 

discussed how technology 

is becoming a crucial 

component in improving 

marina management and user 

experience. 

Captain Kelly J Gordon said 

practical tools like smart apps 

for dockage arrangements, 

fuel management and crew 

provisioning would be a great 

help to boaters. Such tools 

Arrogant Architects’ modular 

floating marina design 

‘Modularity, Responsibility, 

Mediterranean’ won the Coup de 

Coeur award. 

could reduce the reliance on informal 

communication channels like WhatsApp 

by consolidating essential information 

in one platform. She suggested that 

a single portal to guide boaters on 

everything from entrance requirements 

in the destination country to the local 

weather would be invaluable. 

Maria Vera Vives, head of expansion 

and sustainable development at Spain’s 

Alcudiamar Marina, highlighted how 

EVENTS 

technology is already being used in 

marinas to monitor energy consumption 

and water quality. Providing realtime 

data systems like these to help 

captains avoid unexpected bills and 

mistakes is essential for better resource 

management, she believes. 

Stavros Katsikadis, president of the 

Greek Marinas Association, agrees, 

and added that it is important to source 

energy that is renewable, especially as 

the demand for power from megayachts 

and superyachts continues to grow. 

Sustainability is key, he said: “I like to 

use the Greek word, αιώνιος, which 

means eternal in Greek, everything we 

do, from the design to the building, we 

try to do it forever. This must be a law 

for all marinas.” 

Randy Durband, CEO of South 

Korea’s Global Sustainable Tourism 

Council argued that before adopting 

advanced technologies, marinas 

should focus on developing robust 

data collection and analysis systems. 

Sharing data is essential for sustainable 

management and improving operational 

efficiency, he said. 

Financial challenges 

A second session focused on the 

financial challenges of marina 

development and the role of 

sustainability in securing investment 

was moderated by 

Pascale Ferry, deputy 

director at Monaco 

Statistics. Investors are 

increasingly prioritising 

projects that incorporate 

sustainability from the 

outset, according to 

Klaus Peters, CEO of 

Brazil’s InterMarinas. 

He said certification is 

a key factor, with higher 

levels of sustainability 

certification translating 

into tax incentives 

and better investment 

opportunities. 

Property/real estate 


51

EVENTS 

The lotus flower inspired Structurlab’s 

modular platform design; winner in the 

architecture category. 

also plays a vital role in making marinas 

financially viable, added Ronnie Ben- 

Zur, founder and CEO of Habacoa 

Marina in the Bahamas, currently under 

construction and scheduled to open in 

late 2026. Combining marina facilities 

with real estate projects, such as 

hotels, creates a higher value for both 

components. For example, marinas not 

only provide access to the sea but also 

enhance the value of nearby properties. 

Liza Singer, founder of Karpaz Gate 

Marina in North Cyprus, stressed 

that marinas must also consider local 

employment opportunities to gain 

incentives from governments. She 

noted that marinas are evolving from 

mere boat parking spaces to central 

hubs that contribute significantly to 

the local economy, further enhancing 

their appeal to investors. Governments 

are beginning to understand that the 

seafront is the most lucrative part of the 

city, she said. 

The panel agreed that another critical 

factor for attracting investment is data 

transparency. Collecting and sharing 

comprehensive data, ranging from 

boat statistics to energy and water 

usage, allows for better feasibility 

studies and more informed decisionmaking 

by investors. There are no 

good feasibility studies on marinas yet, 

Ben-Zur ventured, because marinas in 

the US do not publish their rates and 

there is no obligation to store or collect 

information. 

Sustainable architecture 

A final session looked at the pivotal role 

architecture plays in the sustainable 

development of marinas. Moderator 

Oscar Siches opened the discussion by 

stressing that modern marinas must be 

considered from multiple perspectives, 

including those of users, promoters and 

government regulators. He noted that 

marinas have transitioned from being 

purely nautical businesses to becoming 

hubs of hospitality that welcome not 

only boaters but the broader public as 

well. 

“You go [to a marina] to have a good 

time, you don’t necessarily have to have 

a boat to access them, you can access 

them by land, too,” Siches said. “There 

is a new social component in the marina 

that was not present 20 years ago.” 

Janna Bystrykh, head of the 

architecture programme at the 

Academy of Architecture in the 

Netherlands, highlighted the need to 

address both climate and biodiversity 

goals in marina design. Marinas 

impact local ecosystems, such as 

nurseries and seabeds, making it 

essential to consider biodiversity 

during the planning and construction 

stages. She advocates for a holistic 

approach that considers the impact 

of materials, legislative requirements 

and the protection of local species. 

Siches agrees: “Doing something now, 

before something from above (the 

Government) will ask you to do it, is 

easier. The key is to act now.” 

Collaboration between architects and 

engineers is vital, particularly when 

addressing environmental challenges 

such as carbon emissions and rising 

sea levels, noted Effie Nakajima, senior 

associate at the UK’s Zaha Hadid 

Architects. A client’s vision drives the 

design process, but architects must 

balance multiple viewpoints – from 

engineers to environmentalists – to 

create functional and sustainable 

marinas, she said. 

New Zealand innovator and architect, 

Henry Glogau, said architects 

must deeply understand the local 

context to design marinas that are 

environmentally and culturally sensitive. 

This approach is especially important 

when adapting existing marinas 

to climate change or enhancing 

biodiversity. 

Smart and 

Sustainable Awards 

The event culminated in the presentation 

of the Smart and Sustainable Marina 

Awards 2024. The 744-berth Alcudiamar 

Marina in Mallorca, Spain won the 

category for most sustainable and 

intelligent marina. Mar Vera Vives 

was delighted to accept the award on 

behalf of the marina. “It has been a real 

pleasure to participate in these two days 

of intense networking and fellowship 

with such high-level professionals in 

the sector,” she said. “This award is a 

recognition of the hard work of the entire 

Alcudiamar team over many years, so I 

also thank each of them and the event 

organisers for this honour.” 

In the innovation category, Clean 

Sea Solution won the start-up prize for 

its project aimed at reducing plastic 

waste in marinas and the ocean, while 

Ecocean won the scale-up prize for its 

strong involvement with biodiversity 

and scientifically proven help in 

regenerating life in marinas. 

Germany’s Structurlab won in the 

architecture category for its lotus flowerinspired 

design of modular platforms 

for quick assembly and reconfiguration. 

Using recycled materials, solar power 

and rainwater collection systems, 

the design minimises ecological 

disruption while adapting to seasonal 

visitor flows. Its eco-friendly anchoring 

methods better protect the underwater 

ecosystem, while allowing larger boats 

to moor outside no-boat zones. 

Bulgaria’s Arrogant Architects was 

the public’s favourite, winning the ‘Coup 

de Coeur’ award for its modular floating 

marina design project called ‘Modularity, 

Responsibility, Mediterranean’. The 

design includes the installation of 

artificial nurseries, thermal insulation 

improvements, seawater heat pumps 

and the use of prefabricated local 

materials to reduce CO 2 emissions. 


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COMPANY UPDATE 

Port Louis Marina was Marinetek’s first 

project in the Caribbean. 

Marinetek 

marks 30 years 

Finnish marina systems builder Marinetek has carved an international place 

for itself over the past three decades. Co-founder Markku Rantanen and CEO 

Santeri Suoranta look back, and look forward, as they speak to Marina World 

on the company’s 30 th anniversary. 

A personal journey: 

Markku Rantanen 

When Ilkka Seppälä and I started 

Marinetek in 1994, we had both already 

worked in the marina industry for more 

than a decade. We knew how the 

business was done but wanted to do 

things a little differently: our goal was 

to be an international company that 

offered modern, high-quality concrete 

pontoons that were built to last for 

decades. 

Also, instead of offering just standard 

pontoon models, we wanted to use our 

experience to serve customers better 

by helping them design their marinas 

and then – when needed – design 

custom pontoons to meet their needs 

and optimise the marina’s performance. 

Reliability naturally became our core 

value, and it came from our hearts and 

our actions – our slogan is “more than 

marinas, we deliver peace of mind”. 

We’ve always paid extra attention 

to durability, from product design to 

manufacturing and marina design to 

delivery and installation. And we’ve 

always been true to our principle of not 

overpromising or under-delivering. That 

meant that, at times, we turned down 

projects where the circumstances for a 

marina were not right and we couldn’t 

guarantee optimal performance, 

durability and lifespan. 

I’ve enjoyed working in the marina 

industry immensely. The company’s 

values are my values, which means 

I haven’t had to force anything or do 

something I don’t approve myself. It 

has been great to see how the industry 

and technology have developed in 

past decades – and to have been able 

to answer to the need of larger and 

more heavy-duty pontoons with the 

continuing growth of the size of modern 

yachts and the size of marinas. 

Sustainability aspects have been 

getting more important in recent years 

and I’m happy to say that our dedication 

to building pontoons and marinas that 

have a long lifespan has always also 

been a sustainability matter. When you 

build something that lasts, it does not 

have to be built again anytime soon, 

which minimises the use of natural and 

financial resources. 

Of course, we are not just relying 

on that to meet modern sustainability 

needs. Constant product development 

and the search for 

better solutions 

have always 

been part of our 

company culture 

and we aim 

to be industry 

leaders also in 

sustainability. 

I’m proud of the 

way we’ve been 

able to grow the Markku Rantanen 

company over 

the years. We started our business 

with international projects, which I’m 

sure helped our reputation to grow. 

We quickly became the market leader 

in our domestic 

market in Finland, 

but also we 

were able to 

expand our reach 

internationally. 

With our 

growth there 

have been some 

very memorable 

milestones in 

different parts of 

Santeri Suoranta 

the world. In 2005, 

with the founding of Marinetek Adriatic 

in Croatia, Marinetek grew strongly in 

the Mediterranean area. At the same 

time, we were working on a multi-year 

project in Dubai. When it was finished in 

2007, Palm Jumeirah Marinas was the 

largest marina project in the world. 

During those hectic years of growth, 

Marinetek also expanded its operations 

to North America and the Caribbean. 

Delivery in phases of the luxury marina 

of Port Louis in Grenada started in 

2009 and was completed in 2010. Also 

in 2010, Marinetek North America 

delivered its first project: Palm Harbor 

in Florida’s West Palm Beach, which 

was immediately acknowledged as the 

Marina of the Year in Florida. 

Conquering the world did not end 

there. The first Marinetek project in 

Southeast Asia was completed in 2015, 

and Phuket Yacht Haven in Thailand is 

now widely regarded as the first port of 

choice for superyachts in the tropical 

Andaman Sea. 

I have many favourite projects but 

Port Louis Marina in the Caribbean 


COMPANY UPDATE 

The iconic Palm Jumeirah Marinas in 

Dubai, stars in the Marinetek portfolio, 

were game-changers for the company. 

and Ocean Village & Marina Bay & 

Superyacht Marinas in Gibraltar are on 

the top of my list. Palm Harbor Marina 

in Florida, Aker Brygge in Norway, 

Port Hercules in Monaco and Limassol 

Marina in Cyprus also stand out. And 

we must never forget Palm Jumeirah 

Marinas in Dubai, which was a gamechanging 

project for Marinetek. 

Sustainability and growth: 

Santeri Suoranta 

Q: Where is Marinetek currently 

operating and have there been any 

significant changes to its market reach? 

A: We have our Group headquarters in 

Helsinki, Finland, and our own factories 

in Finland, Latvia and Croatia. Our 

other units are strategically located to 

cover central and northern Europe, the 

Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa, 

Southeast Asia and North America – 

with focus on the east coast. These 

have been our main markets in recent 

years. 

Q: Five years ago the owners looked 

to distance the company from generic 

‘floating solutions’ and refocus on 

the core business of designing, 

manufacturing and supplying pontoon 

systems for marinas. Have you 

continued with this? 

A: Yes. We are focusing on being 

recognised as the best designer 

and supplier of recreational marinas. 

Outside the marina business we offer 

our know-how and technology for 

selective floating solutions projects, 

which we consider case by case. 

Q: What are your strongest markets 

and where do you see most growth? 

A: We see Europe as our home market, 

and we are also strong in the Middle 

East. Further growth is coming from the 

North American and Southeast Asia 

markets. 

Q: Have you redesigned any aspects 

of your range or worked with any new 

materials? 

A: We work constantly on product 

development and sustainability to 

improve our products and at the same 

time lower our environmental footprint. 

This includes production methods and 

materials. A lot of this is not instantly 

visible in the product itself, but results 

in longer product lifespan, improved 

durability, and lower CO 2 emissions. 

Q: Is new thinking in terms of the 

The expansion at Ingå Marina in Inkoo, delivered by Marinetek in the second quarter this year, has 

486 berths. It is the largest single-phase recreational marina project ever to be undertaken in Finland. 

environment and the increased 

implementation of smart technology 

affecting the design of marina systems? 

A: We have a strong focus on 

sustainability. We follow and 

scientifically measure our CO 2 

emissions and aim to decrease our 

footprint. This is done through product 

design and materials as well as energy 

consumption at the factories and use of 

green energy where suitable. 

We are supporting marina owners 

and operators in developing smart 

technology for their marinas and 

making the marinas ready for e-boating. 

We have partners who can supply 

charging stations and versatile 

solutions to marinas – both for the 

pontoons and shore areas. We are 

closely following the smart technology 

development and adapting to the 

changes quickly. 

Q: How do you see marinas developing 

in general over the next 30 years? 

A: Recreational boating brings positive 

experiences to people. We believe this 

will continue as a trend and marinas 

will develop further to be oases in 

urban areas, not just parking spots 

for boats. I see more services, like 

restaurants and boat rental companies, 

developing in marinas and marinas 

therefore becoming more popular 

places for people who don’t own boats; 

links between land and water, and cool 

places for people to hang out. 

From a technical viewpoint, 

electrification of boats will change 

the infrastructure in marinas and the 

number of boats as well as the size of 

boats is increasing, which will create 

demand for bigger marinas. 


55

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Investment opportunity 

on destination island 

Visitor hub for the Scottish Isles 

SCOTLAND: Located on the 

northwest coast of the Highlands 

in an area renowned for its unspoilt 

beauty, white sandy beaches and 

superb sailing waters, Arisaig Marina 

benefits from a good range of dayto-day 

amenities in Arisaig village 

and excellent transport links to 

major cities and airports. 

The marina is well sheltered and 

located at the head of Loch nan Caell, 

an ideal safe and secure mooring spot. 

There is adequate car parking and 

profitable additional income streams 

from a café and gift shop, both of which 

are very popular with peak season 

tourists. 

Arisaig Marina has 45 seasonal 

moorings, 25 additional moorings 

for short to medium term stays and 

hardstand for wintering up to 70 yachts. 

There are buildings for boat repairs and 

storage; offices; sanitary facilities for 

boaters; and fuel services. 

Two passenger ferries (one with 

80-person capacity and another for 

ten passengers), which transport 

day trippers to various small islands 

including scenic Eigg and Muck, are 

included in the sale of the business, 

as is a further boat currently under 

restoration. 

The shoreside land is held under 

absolute ownership/heritable title and 

the water space is leased from the 

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS 

CANADA: Montague Harbour 

Marina, one of the most 

popular marinas and boating 

destinations within the Gulf 

Islands in British Columbia 

(BC), is situated on the 

southwest shore of Galiano 

Island. 

Offering transient and annual 

moorings, the facility has a fuel 

dock, restaurant, general store, 

kayak and moped rentals, and 

caters for boaters and island 

residents. Operation is seasonal 

– May to September. The facility 

is well-run with tenured key staff, 

making it suitable for an owner/ 

operator or an investor. 

Montague Harbour is the only 

marina on Galiano Island and 

located in one of the largest 

natural harbours on the BC east 

coast. It is an oft visited and 

established destination along a 

famous cruising route. 

Price: CA$3,000,000 

Contact: 

Alan Johnson (Colliers Canada) 

+1 604 661 0842 

Crown Estate from 2021 for 25 years. 

Price: Offers over £1,250,000 

Contact: 

Neil Calder (Shepherd) +44 (0)1463 

712239 or 

Euan MacCrimmon (Strutt & Parker) 

+44 (0)1463 723593 


57

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Thames moorings in Kew 


ENGLAND: A rare opportunity to acquire a picturesque moorings business ‘Kew Marine’ on the River Thames in 

Richmond comes with a new 50-year lease (with statutory renewal) and includes 170m (560ft) of pontoon moorings 

on the south bank of the river. A Thames lighter barge ‘Lambeth Bridge’, which has been converted into a large rental 

property, is also included in the sale. 

Kew Marine is just a stroll away 

from world-famous Kew Gardens 

and the business is in a quiet 

setting on the river which is mainly 

used by recreational and rowing 

boats. A boat service runs through 

this reach of the Thames and 

there are good public transport 

connections. 

The residential and leisure 

moorings business, which has 

been owned by one family for over 

20 years, brings in an average 

annual turnover of £140,000 

and, subject to consents, there is 

opportunity to extend the pontoons 

and divide ‘Lambeth Bridge’ into 

two rental properties. 

Price: Offers over £1,500,000 

Contact: Ed Jefferson (Colliers) 

+44 (0)117 917 2011 

Boutique appeal in Panama City 

FL, USA: A boutique facility ideally positioned at the heart of revitalised downtown 

Panama City, Bristol Harbor Marina enjoys good steady income with potential growth 

opportunities. It has excellent access to the Gulf of Mexico via the nearby Saint 

Andrews inlet. 

The marina infrastructure comprises 

new fixed piers for 49 boats, all with water, 

electricity and in-slip pump-out. There is 

gated security, car parking, a commercial 

office and retail unit and an outdoor covered 

pavilion. Bristol Harbor is home to several 

commercial and recreational charter 

operations, further enhancing its appeal and 

visibility. 

Boasting the highest ranking for 

environmental sustainability 

and resilience, Bristol Harbor 

is recognised as a ‘Resilient 

Marina’ by the Florida 

Department of Environmental 

Protection. 

There is opportunity to 

boost income by raising slip 

rates, which are currently 

well below the norm for the 

local market, and revising 

rental fees for long term 

commercial tenants in the 

recently renovated three-suite 

office building. The space is 

currently leased through to 

2025. 

Bristol Harbor Marina is 

being marketed by Safe 

Haven Advisors (SVN) in 

partnership with Five Bridge 

Real Estate Services. 

Price: US$2,550,000 

Contact: 

David Kendall (SVN) 

+1 561 723 8463 or 

Josh Sheppard (SVN) 

+1 407 399 1120 


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Busy oasis in the Carolinas 

NC, USA: An increasingly busy and popular stop-over for yachts travelling locally along the east coast, Dowry Creek 

Marina in Belhaven offers seclusion in a scenic environment while also being close to services and shopping. 

Family-owned and 

operated, it is widely 

believed to be the busiest 

transient marina in 

the Carolinas and was 

designated the third 

best small marina in 

2023 by Marina Life. It 

accommodates around 73 

boats at docks part-owned 

by the Boataminium Owner’s 

Association (BOA), which 

pays 75% of the dock 

maintenance cost. The 

marina management owns 

40 slips or 55% of the slips, 

and all the real estate and 

buildings. 

Amenities include a large clubhouse, 

fuel dock, swimming pool and 

clubhouse apartment. There is a kayak, 

paddle board, canoe and pedal boat 

rental service. The 235-seat restaurant 

is available to the buyer as an option 

but could be retained by the sellers who 

would then lease the building from the 

new owners. 

Dowry Creek Marina is set in 14.8 

acres (6ha), around 5 acres (2ha) of 


which is designated for a potential RV 

park. 

Price: US$4,000,000 

Contact: 

Jeff Spilman (LIPG) +1 813 956 3275 

Untitled-1 1 03/07/2024 19:59 


61

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Kropf delivers first all-electric boat hoist 

Kropf Industrial, manufacturer of the industry-leading Conolift line of boat handling equipment, reveals that its first allelectric 

travel lift is now in service at a yacht club in Ontario, Canada. 

Claimed to be a first for North 

America, this all-electric 40- 

ton capacity lift has already 

been through a rigorous testing 

programme at Kropf’s facility. It is 

now being utilised by a Torontoarea 

marine facility for haul-out 

and launch operations, providing 

opportunities for final refinements 

and demonstrating the performance 

of the unit in a range of conditions. 

To date, the lift has exceeded 

expectations for ease of use, 

reliability, battery life and low 

charging times. 

The all-electric design completely 

eliminates an internal combustion 

engine and a hydraulic system, which 

results in a machine that is emissions 

and spills free. Reliable, proven 

technologies were utilised throughout 

the design process, ensuring safe, 

long-term operations and ease of 

maintenance and service. 

The lift is a fully-featured machine 

with all of the options available on 

a diesel-powered unit, including 

proportional controls, 

two-speed winches, sling 

positioners and fully 

radio-remote operation. 

Diagnostics, machine status 

updates and service are 

simplified through use of a 

large external touchscreen, 

and the machine can be 

remotely diagnosed and 

serviced through connection 

to a Wi-Fi network. 

The advanced all-electric 

design benefits from 

Conolift’s proven fabrication 

methods, and is robust 

with high-quality finish. 

The machine offers quiet and safe 

operation, without the risk of spills, and 

with lower service requirements than a 

traditional diesel/hydraulic unit. 

www.kropfindustrial.com. 

Innovation and sustainability 

Strengthening its constant commitment to innovation and sustainability, Italian company Boat Lift continues to deliver 

machines with electric power, and to design width flexibility into its machines. 

One of its most recent achievements 

is the Pelican Lift mobile dockside 

crane (right). This unique and patented 

design enables operators to perform 

lift and launch operations even 

when no dockside infrastructure is 

available. The positive response from 

operators confirms that the lift solves 

a widespread issue in the industry as 

marinas and shipyard activities are 

often limited by infrastructure building 

costs and permits. The front cantilever 

beam of the Pelican means it can 

reach out well beyond the dock edge, 

ensuring easy and safe lift and launch 

operations in conditions that do not 

allow the use of a travel lift. 

Boat Lift has also expanded its 

electric option across its entire range. 

Zero-emission products are equipped 

with advanced control systems and 

high-efficiency lithium batteries, with the 

aim of making boat handling operations 

increasingly efficient and sustainable. 

Since 2014, Boat Lift has also been 

on a mission to offer its boat hoists 

in adjustable width versions. Thanks 

to nearly a decade of continuous 

product refinement and technology 

development, the 

company’s expandable 

travel lifts are now 

sophisticated handling 

and lifting devices, 

offering a wide range 

of benefits for marinas, 

ports and shipyards. 

The recent 

commissioning of a 300 

tonne variable width 

travel lift for Nautor 

Swan (Badalona, 

Spain) represents 

the culmination of the 

refinement process 

featuring several 

advancements 

and leading to the 

manufacture of fully 

customised solutions. 

Due to the hydraulic expansion, the 

variable width lifts make the most of 

boat storage areas, reaching spaces 

inaccessible with standard machines 

and thus maximising the use of space. 

Finally, in demonstration of its 

continuous effort to offer a customeroriented 

approach, Boat Lift has 

YARD MACHINERY 

recently launched a self-propelled 

trailer rental service. Customers 

who are seeking more flexibility and 

convenience when it comes to lifting 

and handling boats can rent a Boat 

Lift trailer, ensuring better shipyard 

equipment management without 

constraints and hidden costs. 

www.boatlift.it 


63

Untitled-3 1 28/10/2024 08:32 

To be seen in the world of marinas, 

you need to be seen in Marina World … 

Contact Julia Hallam +44 (0)1621 855 890 

juliahallam@marinaworld.co.uk

Marine Travelift E-Series is ready to roll 

After over two years of design, manufacture and in-depth factory testing, Marine Travelift has introduced the Electric 

Series (E-Series) of boat hoists. 

The company’s 

engineering team 

spent countless 

hours designing 

and perfecting the 

700-volt battery 

powered system for 

its 50BFMII boat 

hoist, which carries a 

50 tonne lift capacity. 

“Our goal from day 

one was to design 

and build a zeroemissions 

boat hoist 

that not only met the 

quality of a diesel 

unit but has the 

same work capacity, 

ease of use and 

operational efficiency 

our customers have 

come to expect,” 

says Marine Travelift 

engineer Weston 

Wedeward. Power consumption was 

optimised to ensure the E-Series met 

or exceeded the performance of a 

standard engine machine, and every 

feature and option available on dieselpowered 

boat hoists is also available. 

The first machine was equipped 

with options such as electronic allwheel 

steering, 5ft (1.5m) top beam 

extension, work/drive lights and twospeed 

hoists to ensure the correct 

power requirement was chosen to 

accommodate all option configurations. 

Extensive performance testing was 

done over an 18-month period in 

various weather conditions, load 

configurations and travel distances 

to ensure optimal performance of the 

system in all working scenarios. 

The hydraulic functions of the boat 

As dealer and service provider for Ascom and Abi Trailers across the USA and 

Caribbean, Forklift Exchange has delivered an Ascom BHT 80 boat hoist and 

an Abi Trailer MBT 25 hydraulic trailer to Key Largo Boatyard & Storage in 

Florida. Both will significantly enhance operations and business capacity. 

www.forkliftexchange.com 


hoist are powered 

by a reputable world 

leader in electric 

powered components 

and the batteries are 

manufactured in the 

USA. The system 

utilises scalable 

DC fast charging 

interfaces from onroad 

electric vehicles 

to safely charge 

the batteries and a 

full charge can be 

accomplished in an 

eight-hour period with 

the recommended 

30kW high speed 

smart charger. “In a 

normal marina setting 

customers can expect 

to lift somewhere 

between 10 to 14 

vessels in a day on a 

full charge,” Marine Travelift executive 

vice president Kurt Minten says. “They 

can also plug in the machine when idle 

throughout the day to further maximise 

the battery life and increase daily run 

time.” 

The E-Series machines utilise 

multiple layers of safety features from 

the moment the machine is keyed to 

the ‘on’ position. High voltage junction 

boxes, isolation monitor, fuses and 

grounding straps are just a few of the 

safety features that ensure the operator 

and batteries are kept safe during every 

phase of operation. Both the batteries 

and electric motor are temperature 

regulated with a glycol cooling 

system to maintain a safe operating 

temperature, regardless of the ambient 

temperature. 

“Sometimes we see new products in 

our industry rushed to market before 

they are ready and the customer has 

to essentially work through the testing 

and prototype phase,” says Minten. 

“There is a certain level of expectation 

when customers receive a Marine 

Travelift boat hoist, so we take that very 

seriously and dedicate the extra time to 

fully test everything. For this project we 

went as far as setting up the machine at 

a local marina to let them use it through 

the fall haul out season,” he reveals. 

www.marinetravelift.com 


65


New crane 

design 

unveiled in 

Amsterdam 

It has become a tradition for Dutch company 

Roodberg to exhibit at Metstrade in Amsterdam 

every November, and for 2024 the company brings 

something new to its stand (05.760) in the Marina 

& Yard Pavilion. 

Visitors should look out for a 1:16 scale model of 

a column-mounted slewing crane, specially made for 

the show to clearly highlight the specifications of a 65 

tonne capacity machine currently in build for Wajer 

Yachts in the south of France. 

The SPC65 is fully electric, making it 

environmentally friendly and easy and precise to 

operate. Maintenance has also been streamlined, 

as one of the crane’s special features is the location 

of its slewing drive at the bottom of the column. An 

inspection door gives easy access to all components 

inside the SPC. 

All steel box sections are watertight, and the crane 

is equipped with four Roodberg wire rope hoists, 

designed for outdoor use in the toughest conditions. 

And because the four-point lifting yoke is integrated 

into the horizontal arm of the 

SPC, the overall height can 

be much lower than 

a single-point 

crane, which 

can make 

it easier to 

obtain planning 

permission. 

Roodberg 

has designed 

the crane to 

be as compact 

and aesthetically 

pleasing as 

possible and, like 

all of the company’s 

products, 

durability, longevity and low maintenance costs 

are key objectives. This is achieved by using high 

quality materials, such as stainless steel guide rails 

as standard, galvanised fasteners, stainless steel 

control boxes with ventilation and heating to avoid 

condensation, and a very high quality two component 

paint finish that seals all cavities and matches the 

rounded edges of the components for optimum 

coverage. 

www.roodberg.com 

Cimolai Technology: 

catering for all 

boat sizes 

For over two decades, Italian company Cimolai Technology has 

been a leading global provider of specialised and innovative 

solutions for handling and lifting. This year, it once again rises to 

the challenges presented by a dynamic market, with a full order 

book in several different sectors, including tailor-made solutions 

that make the best use of its technical expertise. 

Numerous projects completed 

for the nautical sector confirm 

its specialisation in the 

production of medium to large 

capacity machines. The 1,500 

tonne fully electric boat hoist, 

just assembled in Oregon, USA, 

marks a significant step forward 

in its efforts to integrate green 

technologies into its product 

range, supporting clients in 

reducing their environmental 

impact. Also noteworthy is the 

recent delivery to Greece of 

a telescopic unit, which, with 

hanging boats weighing well 

over 1,000 tonnes, can adjust 

its track width by 5m (16ft 5in); a 

symbol of ongoing innovation. 

While Cimolai Technology’s 

larger machines are a true 

hallmark of its capabilities, 

the company remains equally 

dedicated to serving clients with 

‘smaller’ needs. It currently has 

a variety of smaller machines in 

production, all of which offer the 

same high level of quality and 

precision as larger models. 

Amongst the company’s 

recent highlights is its 

collaboration with Midcoast 

Boatyard & Marine in Wickham, 

Australia, where it is set to 

deliver a 50-tonne boat hoist 

in spring 2025; a US order 

from Boston Harbor Shipyard 

& Marina for an 80-tonne 

telescopic MBH, a machine 

capable of adjusting its width 

to accommodate space needs; 

and the supply, following public 

tender, of a 110-tonne boat 

hoist for Port Nelson Marina in 

New Zealand. 

With each new project, 

Cimolai Technology continues 

to set new benchmarks in the 

industry, delivering cutting-edge 

solutions that combine technical 

excellence with a customercentric 

approach. 

www.cimolaitechnology.com 


PRODUCTS & SERVICES 

Surviving Hurricane Beryl 

Smart systems 

streamline 

Croatian 

marinas 

The Tango smart dockside 

pedestal (above) and the Harbour 

Commander Cloud system 

from Marex are proving to be a 

popular combination in new and 

refurbished Croatian marinas. 

At the end of 2023, Zadar-based 

Marex installed both products as 

part of the modernisation and 

renovation of the port of Rab on Rab 

Island. Rab County Port Authority, 

with co-financing from EU funds, 

invested €5 million in modernising 

and enhancing the port to meet the 

highest safety standards. 

Tango smart pedestals were 

installed along with the Harbour 

Commander Cloud system, which 

gives the marina team a simple and 

secure way to manage berths and 

provide users with intuitive access 

to electricity, water and other port 

services. The project has not only 

contributed to the economic growth 

When Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, hit the Caribbean islands of Saint 

Vincent and the Grenadines in July it had a severe impact on the island of 

Canouan. The team at Sandy Lane Yacht Club & Residences had every reason 

to fear an environmental catastrophe as the storm lashed its infrastructure but 

the vacuum sewer system installed by Flovac between 2016 and 2018 proved 

its resilience and reliability. 

Sandy Lane Yacht Club is a luxury 

port that has become the central hub for 

megayachts in the Grenadines. Of its 120 

berths, 24 are dedicated to megayachts 

up to 100m (330ft) in length. 

The two-year project involved 

constructing a 2.5km (1.5mi) sewer 

network and installing a vacuum station 

and reclaimed water treatment plant. 

The installation was designed to handle 

the complex conditions of the island, 

which measures just 5.6 x 2km (3.5 x 

1.2mi) and relies on desalination for its 

water supply. 

Flovac integrated its Flovatronic 

of the island but has also strengthened 

Croatia’s position as a leader in 

nautical tourism. 

Marex is also greatly involved in 

the supply of infrastructure for a 

new marina – Molum Marine Club 

– being built in the municipality of 

Sveti Filip i Jakov between Sibenik 

and Zadar on the Dalmatian coast. It is 

timed to complete for the 2025 boating 

season offering 127 berths for vessels 

of 10 to 30m (33 to 98ft) with possible 

outer pier mooring options. 

Special attention has been given 

to the technological outfitting of the 

marina and Marex Tango pedestals 

operating via Harbour Commander 

system into the Building Management 

System (BMS) it installed to give 

comprehensive real-time control of the 

sewer network and other facilities of the 

complex. 

Only minor repairs were required 

following the storm despite the fact that 

the small and exposed island suffered 

direct impact from devastating winds 

and torrential rain. Full functionality 

continued as normal and underscored 

the importance of having robust, 

reliable infrastructure – especially in a 

vulnerable environment. 

www.flovac.es 

Cloud are central to the management 

of berths and services. 

The marina will also feature Marex 

high quality stainless steel mooring 

fixtures, including a total of 369 

bollards with three, five or ten tonne 

load capacities. The company also 

provided a LeeStrom pump-out system 

via its exclusive dealership agreement. 

The LS 2000W TS, which has a 

capacity of 300 litres/min (66 gallons/ 

min), offers an efficient and rapid 

solution for the drainage and pump-out 

of wastewater from boats and adheres 

to the highest standards of marine and 

environmental protection. 

www.marex-es.hr 


For over 35 years, Den Hartog Industries in Hospers, Iowa has 

elevated the quality of foam-filled float drums, setting the industry 

standards and is a leader in the marine industry on quality, durability 

and longevity. Visit www.acefloatdrums.com for a variety of product 

sizes, specifications with bouyancy and technical information.

Protecting pontoon boats 

Newly launched by US company EZ Dock, the Optimus Float Port is the 

ultimate solution for protecting a pontoon or tritoon vessel, delivering 

superior reliability, durability and convenience. 


Engineered with precision, the port 

ensures a boat remains dry, secure 

and entirely out of the water when 

not in use. This significantly reduces 

the risk of damage caused by water 

exposure, such as corrosion, algae 

growth and wear and tear, helping to 

extend the lifespan of the watercraft 

while minimising ongoing maintenance 

requirements. 

The Optimus Float Port is compatible 

with a wide range of pontoons and 

tritoons, supporting boats that weigh 

up to 5,400lbs (2,400kg) and measure 

between 16 to 27 feet (5 to 8m) in 

length. Its robust construction provides 

stability, while the innovative design 

allows for seamless docking and 

undocking, making it a practical solution 

for boaters of all experience levels. 

www.ez-dock.com 

Meet us at METS booth 05.760 

The choice of professionals 

www.roodberg.com 

The Original 


71


Installing safe mooring systems 

Via Professional Submarine Services, Spanish company Almarin has supplied and installed an aluminium pontoon with 

concrete floats to provide temporary moorings for storm shelter at the port of Ibiza in Ibiza (above left). 

The Lindley pontoons form a pier 

of around 180m (590ft) long with a 

walkway at each end. The mooring 

system consists of articulated radius 

arms to enable the infrastructure to 

adjust to tidal movements. 

On its home market in Portugal, 

Lindley was also recently contracted 

by Atlântinivel to supply 100m (330ft) 

of concrete pontoons for a Docapesca 

project in the fishing area in Vila do 

Conde (above right). The pontoons 

provide an excellent mooring pier that 

improves working conditions and safety 

for fishermen. Emergency ladders and 

pedestals, and a complete lighting 

system were also installed. 

www.almarin.es & www.lindley.pt 

Managing berths at expanded sites 

In addition to introducing a new marina service pedestal range and updated DC charging hardware for electric boating 

this year, Rolec has launched its innovative BerthVend Network solution. 

Featuring Long Range Wide Area 

Network (LoRaWAN) technology, this 

new wireless berth-management system 

is specifically engineered to suit site 

expansions where current infrastructure 

is already in place. The software offers 

greater flexibility and efficiency in 

managing marina utilities remotely, 

enabling continuous communication 

and control over essential services. 

LoRaWAN’s long range, low power 

usage, scalability and secure data 

handling make it an ideal solution for 

managing marina services. 

Key benefits are: 

• Enhanced connectivity: LoRaWAN’s 

long range covers extensive marina 

areas with fewer gateways, ensuring 

reliable, seamless connectivity for 

all devices. 

• Cost-effectiveness: low power usage 

and fewer access points make 

LoRaWAN an economical choice, 

reducing installation and operational 

costs. 

• Security and scalability: with endto-end 

encryption and a scalable 

setup, LoRaWAN keeps data safe 

as the marina’s connected services 

are expanded. 

Unlike complex networks like Zigbee, 

Rolec says that LoRaWAN’s simple, 

long-range set-up is easy to deploy 

and ideal for large marina spaces. 

www.rolecserv.com 


Suppliers & Services 

March 2025 – February 2026 

Add your company entry now at www.marinaworld.com 

For advertising options 

The Americas: pcritot@marinaworld.com 

Italy: nauta@ediconsult.com 

France: catherinemetais@marinaworld.com 

Rest of World: juliahallam@marinaworld.co.uk


Index to Advertisers 

AMI Conference & Expo, USA 18 

ASAR, USA 12 

Aqua superPower, UK 58 

Bellingham Marine, USA 7 & 75 

Bluet, Finland 48 

Bluewater Marine & 

Dock Specialities, USA 64 

Boatlift, Italy 42 

CJ Plast, France 48 

Capria, Argentina 60 

Conolift by Kropf Industrial, Canada 28 

D-Marin, Greece 27 

Den Hartog, USA 70 

Dura Composites, UK 56 

EZ Dock, USA 30 

Eagle Floats by 

Hendren Plastics, USA 69 

Edgewater Resources, USA 47 

Flovac, Spain 62 

Forklift Exchange, USA 67 

GH Cranes, Spain 49 

Gigieffe, Italy 34 

Golden Manufacturing, USA 14 & 15 

IWMC 2025, Italy 20 

Ingemar, Italy 10 

Inmare, Italy 50 

Lindley, Portugal 38 & 39 

MPP Engineering, UK 70 

Marex, Croatia 60 

Marina & Holiday Park Solutions, UK 70 

Marina Master by IRM, Slovenia 50 

Marina Projects, UK 76 

MARINAGo by 

Scribble Software, USA 33 

Marine Structures, Australia 37 

Marine Travelift, USA 53 

Marinetek, Finland 4 

Martini Marinas, Italy 45 

Molo Marina Management/ 

Stellar Systems, USA 61 

Monaco Yacht Club, Monaco 24 

Nautipark, France 64 

Pacsoft, New Zealand 58 

Perspective Products, USA 58 

PierPump by Vogelsang, Germany 8 

Plus Marine, Italy 16 

Poralu Marine, France 22 & 23 

Premier Materials, USA 50 

Rolec, UK 24 

Ronautica, Spain 16 

Roodberg - a brand of 

Frisian Industries, Netherlands 71 

SF Marina System, Sweden 2 

Seaflex, Sweden 6 

Seijsener, Netherlands 48 

Smarter Technologies, UK 56 

Strongwell, USA 60 

Twinwood by CJ Plast, Portugal 34 

Walcon Marine, UK 18 

Water Witch, UK 56 

Wiggins Lift Co, USA 62 

Smart member comms at 

Hong Kong yacht club 

It’s 4.00pm on a Friday and staff at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) have 

just received news that a typhoon is heading towards Hong Kong. Rapidly 

informing hundreds of boat owners of the danger and any actions they need 

to take would be almost impossible for some clubs, but a PacsoftNG smart 

software system makes it possible for RHKYC to keep its 1,000-plus boat 

owners up to date. 

“The software 

allows us to manage 

many aspects of 

the club and easily 

send out an email 

alert to every boating 

member with an 

individual berth, 

mooring or hardstand 

space,” says marine 

manager Alan Reid. 

“In the case of a 

typhoon, quickly 

communicating any 

danger or required 

actions is essential 

because there’s often someone who 

is unaware of the impending severe 

weather and it’s vital they arrange 

for their boats to be secured to avoid 

damage.” 

PacsoftNG’s membership 

communications features also simplify 

the club’s day-to-day operations 

by making it easy to find individual 

members’ email addresses and send 

them personalised messages directly; 

such as information about an issue with 

their boat or an update about mooring 

maintenance in their part of the marina 

or mooring field. 

“It makes life a lot easier for us 

because we can send reminder emails, 

instructions or information to a limited 

set of people,” Reid acknowledges, 

adding that prior to the club first 

introducing PacsoftNG in 2007 there 

was no marina management software 

in place to handle communications to 

its vast membership. 

Now, the fully upgraded software 

takes care of many key operational 

functions, automating repetitive tasks 

that used to be processed manually. 

The club is spread over three 

locations in Hong Kong. Kellett Island 

in Causeway Bay is the main location 

for racing; Shelter Cove near Sai Kung 

harbours cruisers; and Middle Island 

near Repulse Bay is the base for dinghy 

sailors, rowing and sail training. In all, 

there are over 15,000 members living 

locally and abroad. 

The smart software simplifies the 

complexity of managing berth rentals 

across these locations, as well as 

handling batch invoicing and managing 

membership records. It also helps the 

club manage the extensive range of 

professional boatyard services it offers, 

including all the associated quoting, 

invoicing and communications involved. 

“The future looks bright for the 

club for sailing and rowing, including 

paddling,” Reid says. “We’re training 

an increasing amount of children and 

adults and encouraging more people to 

take to the water to try the sports out. 

The club encompasses a large training 

centre with 80 dinghies and a fleet of 

28 RIBs on hand to use for rowing and 

sailing training.” 

RHKYC’s biggest regular race event 

is the Around the Island Race; a 26 

nautical mile race around Hong Kong 

Island that welcomes an average of 

more than 1,500 participants in more 

than 200 boats. And Hong Kong Race 

Week is the club’s signature dinghy 

sailing event – over 240 competitors 

from over nine countries and regions 

raced over three days in 215 boats 

earlier this year. 

www.pacsoftmms.com 


SETTING THE WORLD 

STANDARD IN MARINA DESIGN 

CONCEPT DESIGN & MARINA MASTER PLANNING 

FEASIBILITY STUDIES & MARKET RESEARCH 

BUSINESS PLANNING 

MARINA & WATERFRONT DESIGN 

TENDER AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

MARINA OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 

ENVIRONMENTAL & LEGISLATIVE ADVICE 

PROPERTY CONSULTANCY SERVICES 

VISIT US AT METS 

MYP STAND 05.636 

IN COLLABORATION WITH TYHA 

GLOBAL WATERFRONT & MARINA DEVELOPMENT 

CONSULTANCY AT ITS BEST 

www.marinaprojects.com

2024 November December Marina World

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