angalis mep 2009 - Le Cluster Maritime Français

Yachting
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le cluster maritime français
Having experienced steady growth since the late 1990s, the French nautical industries saw their situation come under significant
pressure from the autumn of 2008, with a very sharp downturn in orders. The global leader in sailboats and inflatable boats building
and the world’s fourth position in motorboats production, French nautical industries are adapting to the situation and preparing
as best they can for recovery whilst maintaining their dominant positions.
The French nautical sector in figures*
• almost 5,000 companies
• 45,000 workers
• total turnover of around 5 billion euros
• 30 trade sectors: marinas, boatbuilders, engine manufacturers/distributers, equipment manufacturers, Maritime and
waterways charters, trade and maintenance, outdoors and surfing sports, service providers,...
• France exports 66% of its production
Breakdown of turnover by activity
* Figures taken from “French nautical industries key figures 2007/2008”: study conducted by the French Nautical Industries Federation and published in December 2008.
Nautical activities in figures
Despite the crisis, there is still a strong interest in nautical activities and a genuine desire for on-water leisure. Whilst there
is a definite wait-and-see attitude, the pull of the ocean, people’s desire to navigate, to maintain or upkeep their boats
and renew their equipment, remains as strong as ever. Big sailing races or events have never generated as much interest
or drawn as many spectators (over a million were at the start of the Vendée Globe alone) and nautical activities are proving
immensely popular: over 500,000 visitors attended events organized as part of the national get afloat weekend (Fête du
Nautisme), and over 320,000 people competed in a virtual online version of the Vendée Globe at www.virtualregatta.com.
Meanwhile, hosts of disciplines sports federation are attracting increasing numbers of members (kayaking, kitesurfing,
sailing, etc.).
• 9 millions occasional recreational boaters
• 4 millions regular boaters
• an active fleet of over 470,000 boats
• over 20,000 new registrations every year
• of which around 80% are motor boats and 60% for boats less than 6 metres
in length
• 90,000 permits delivered every year
• over 1,000 sailing schools
• more than 200 motor school boats
Facilities
There are over 370 marinas and harbours for recreational craft, with more than 160,000 berths, not including individual
and collective moorings. Altogether, the total accommodation capacity is estimated at 220,000 berths and moorings.
fact
■ Builders and
■ manufactures: 26%
■ Trading: 23%
■ Repairs: 13%
■ Equipment
■ manufactures: 10%
■ Engine
■ manufactures: 9%
■ Marinas: 8%
■ Location: 6%
■ Divers: 5%
France has some 9 millions for water sport enthusiasts, more than people in Denmark.
© kristenpelou.com
© kristenpelou.com