Innovation and standout debuts take centre stage at the 2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show

2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show © MDL Marinas

The 6th edition of the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, guided by Raymarine, concluded a highly successful three-day event at MDL's prestigious Ocean Village Marina this past weekend (9-11 May).

Attracting over five thousand visitors, the show reinforced its place as a key event on the UK's marine calendar.

Officially opened on Friday by the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Southampton, Cllr David Shields, the event welcomed visitors from across the globe including Turkey, Greece, Germany and the USA. Clear skies and beautiful weather set the tone for a weekend that highlighted the show's importance to the region's economy and its ongoing support for sustainable marine practices.

Following the opening ceremony, members of the press were invited to a dedicated drinks and canapés reception, offering first-look access to debut models, cutting-edge technologies and industry insights from several leading brands. The event also provided a prime opportunity to network with marine journalists and key industry leaders.

New for 2025, a dedicated media centre, sponsored by ePropulsion UK, was introduced on-site, offering a comfortable space for networking, quiet work and welcome refreshments.

A showcase of marine excellence

With over 130 boats on display both shoreside and afloat, the show featured a compelling lineup of World, UK and show premieres from renowned brands such as Axopar, Hanse and Saxdor. Among the standout launches was the World debut of the Hardy 45 European - the first Hardy to be completely designed and built in-house by Cockwells - which was officially unveiled on 7th May by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at the boatbuilder's headquarters in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Exhibitors reported strong interest and impressive sales activity throughout the event. Approved Boats celebrated a successful start, securing two sales on the opening day alone. Fairline, Absolute and Windy also reported boat sales, along with a steady stream of on-site appointments and high-quality enquiries, underlining the show's effectiveness in connecting serious buyers with the latest innovations.

Spotlight on innovation

The Innovation Hub, also sponsored by ePropulsion, was a key feature of the show, offering a dynamic schedule of talks and presentations by experts at the forefront of sustainable marine technology.

"The Innovation Hub was buzzing. We had fantastic conversations about our electric propulsion range and met some truly forward-thinking partners and customers. It's a brilliant environment to showcase real innovation," says Steve Bruce, Managing Director at ePropulsion, whose sponsorship helped bring the space to life.

Among the standout presentations was Raymarine's Paul Childs, who introduced the Dame Award-winning Alpha Display Series and the new Smart Wind transducer. Both innovations set bold new standards for intuitive navigation and wind measurement, drawing considerable attention from tech-savvy sailors and marine engineers alike.

Under the Maritime UK Solent banner, a collection of visionary tech companies demonstrated breakthrough solutions powered by regional funding. Highlights included Anchorite and its award-winning anchor chain marking system, recently named Start-Up of the Year for its innovative, safety-enhancing design.

Salmon Marine also captured attention with its revolutionary shock mitigation system for RIBs, developed in partnership with the RNLI to reduce back injuries and improve performance on rough waters.

"The show provides vital exposure for local tech startups and a strong platform to accelerate green growth in our region," says Stuart Baker, Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent. "We were delighted to see such enthusiastic engagement with our supported companies."

Also turning heads was CubeX Industries, which showcased its groundbreaking work in Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for marine and architectural infrastructure. Visitors were particularly drawn to CubeX's award-winning Sea-Hive tiles, designed to enhance marine biodiversity while standing up to harsh coastal conditions.

"Our USP lies in the use of moulds that create more nooks and crannies to encourage greater biodiversity," explains Jimmy Connoley, Commercial Director at CubeX Industries. "We also use biomaterials, such as cockles scraped from the bottom of boats, in our concrete mix, producing 55% less carbon and over 40% less water. From production to installation, we have sustainability at the forefront of everything we do."

The Innovation Hub once again proved to be the beating heart of sustainable marine progress, showcasing visionary products that are not only redefining marine technology but also steering the industry towards a greener, more resilient future.

MDL's Green Innovator 2025 Award

Following a public vote that attracted nearly 1,000 participants, Fischer Panda UK was crowned the winner of MDL's prestigious Green Innovator Award 2025, which recognises sustainable product development across the industry.

Recognised for its pioneering work and electric propulsion systems, Fischer Panda UK has been leading the charge in sustainable marine solutions for over 20 years. Voters praised the company's commitment to first-class engineering, reliable and sustainable products, and its hands-on, local support in the Southampton area.

Reaffirming its long-term commitment to the show, Raymarine has signed a new three-year partnership with the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, securing its role as a key sponsor and guiding presence through to 2028.

Richard Marsden, UK Sales Manager at Raymarine, adds: "Raymarine is proud to support a show that celebrates both tradition and progress. The feedback on our Alpha Series displays and Smart Wind sensor was incredible - it's clear the appetite for smart, sustainable tech is only growing."

Commenting on the show's success, Tim Mayer, MDL's Sales and Marketing Director and show organiser, says: "This year's show once again exceeded expectations. With over 130 boats and 85 exhibitors, the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show has firmly established itself as the UK's premier regional exhibition for serious boat buyers - and a major driver of dealer sales."

"We're particularly proud of how the Innovation Hub continues to grow and inspire. We're already looking forward to 2026."

Looking ahead for 2026

"The success of this year's show demonstrates the need for this type of exhibition at the start of the season," concludes Mayer. "However, the real measure of success lies in the sales generated. After speaking with nearly all exhibitors over the three days, it's evident that some boat brands are experiencing challenging conditions. Nevertheless, I was pleased to hear that confirmed sales had been made and that dealers had engaged in valuable conversations."

The 2026 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show will return to Ocean Village Marina from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026.