New Zealand marine industry set to boom with aggressive plan for 2015

by Richard Gladwell on 21 Oct 2010
The worldwide recession would seem to be at an end for the New Zealand superyacht construction industry.

At a meeting of the NZ Marine Industry today at Westhaven, Executive Director Peter Busfield, reported that in the 14 months to September last year, New Zealand boatbuilders had not received a single order, creating real angst in the industry.

However in the past 11 months, 11 orders had been confirmed and while there was still some capacity left, there was a lot of confidence in the industry again.

A five year strategic plan was launched today, along with announcements relating to the 2011 Auckland International Boat Show, a new marine events facility at the Viaduct Harbour, and how the marine industry will work to capitalise on the 2011 Rugby World Cup which is expected to bring 85,000 visitors to New Zealand and 3,000 international media.

Under the five year plan the industry is aiming to grow 55 percent by 2015 -- from $1.71 billion in 2010 to $2.66b in 2015. Marine industry exports are projected to lift from $720m to $1.11b. Growth was expected to dip in the next two years before expanding in the remaining years to 2015.

Although the numbers of superyachts being refitted in New Zealand were low in numeric terms, being just 20-25 yachts per year in a 7,000 strong world fleet, those craft being refitted in New Zealand were the high value refits.

Each refit involved an average spend of $6million in New Zealand in the marine industry, and a further $1million by the owners in the NZ economy generally.

With the help of partners such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, NZ Marine Export Group was planning an aggressive marketing campaign in key international markets.

That included high profile attendances at major international boat shows such as Fort Lauderdale and Monaco, and the wide distribution of the latest edition of the New Zealand Marine Export Guide.

NZMI is also promoting a new Destination E Book, a digital guide for any vessel planning to visit this country, which contained summary information for 26 sources bought together in the one electronic document

Among sectors of the industry forecast to show strong growth, marine equipment sales were expected to reach $600m a year by 2015 and top more than $700m by 2020. Launches, yachts, power trailer boats and other marine services were also forecast to have substantial growth.

To help train workers in the industry, the NZ Marine industry training organisation was introducing a new on-line learning management system, called RudderLive, that would allow apprentices and trainees to study by accessing a website. Apprentice training is projected to grow from 610 currently to 1,000 by 2015. Employees in the industry would grow from 10,000 in 2010 to 11,500 in 2015.

A Code of Practice had been developed under the Chairmanship of Ron Brown (Altex Paints) to lift the professional standards of the NZ Marine Industry involved in the refitting of superyachts.

To develop the domestic base of the industry, NZMI was promoting boating in this country, through its new Discover Boating programme and the website discoverboating.co.nz.

Preferential bookings for the Auckland International Boatshow will open on 21 October and run through to 2 December, after which the stands will be allocated by an independent committee according to preferences stated at booking time.

Other events are also planned outside the AIBS and Rugby World Cup period, including an International Design Forum during the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in February March 2012.

A superyacht regatta may be held at that time. A Super Yacht Skippers Forum will also be staged.