International Boat Industry - June-July 2018

http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2018 49

A 2016 ECONOMIC impact report from Superyacht Australia

indicated that overall the superyacht industry value in Australia

was A$1.965bn. A spokesman for Superyacht Australia says that

the maintenance and repair sector accounted for A$574.5m,

new vessel construction A$139.3m and berthing costs A$22.2m.

It was estimated that the superyacht industry accounted for a

further A$190m in local spend by crew and guests.

By 2021 the goal is a 70% increase to A$3.34bn, but this will

only be possible if changes, such as allowing foreign vessels to

charter commercially, easing customs and AQIS clearance on

the Gold Coast, and changes are made to the infrastructure on

the Brisbane River. This could also account for a further 24,400

jobs in the marine industry by 2021.

CEO of AIMEX Mary Anne Edwards says: “It is estimated that

we now have the biggest domestic charter fleet of countries

in the Asia-Pacific region. This part of the superyacht industry

has grown incredibly with a number of Australians buying

superyachts and putting them into charter.”

The Queensland government has launched a five-year

strategy for the Queensland superyacht industry to attract

more yachts to the Australian state; boost investment,

expand infrastructure and create jobs. The new strategy was

announced by Queensland Minister for State Development,

Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, at

the ASMEX 2018 conference. The Minister told attendees: “We

are positioning Queensland as a key superyacht hub in the

Asia Pacific by 2023, with 10% more of the global market.“

“Superyacht activity in south east Queensland,” he

explained, “brought A$630m into the state’s economy and

supported 4,500 jobs in 2016. It is expected to expand to

A$1.1bn and nearly 8,000 jobs by 2021. In Cairns and the

Whitsundays, the A$320m and 2,660 jobs generated by

superyacht activity in 2016 is expected to rise to A$580m and

4,500 jobs by 2021.”

“During the 2016-17 season, there were around 200

superyachts operating in Australian waters,” the Minister

commented. “Going by the rule of thumb that superyacht

charters spend about 10% of the value of the vessel on

running costs, plus the cost of maintenance, provisioning and

follow-on tourism, we can readily see the benefits this work

will bring to Queensland.”

AIMEX is also finalising a superyacht plan for the whole of

Australia. For the latest on superyacht activity in Australia see

our Superyacht round-up on p58.

Experience the Australian standard

of innovation and excellence!

An Australian can-do attitude and unique products continue

to be a benchmark of the Australian manufacturing sector!

As Australia’s leading marine export association, the Australian International

Marine Export Group (AIMEX) continues to represent innovation and

excellence in a thriving marine industry.

Check out the AIMEX website for a full list of companies who are export ready.

NEED FURTHER

INFORMATION?

View our annual AIMEX

Directory publication

online which further

highlights the capabilities

of the Australian marine

export industry.

Visit http://www.aimex.asn.au

SUPERYACHT SECTOR GETS GOVERNMENT BACKING