Marine industry shines at superyacht awards

Marine industry shines at international superyacht awards

October 27, 2007

The world’s latest fleet of award winning luxury yachts are testament to New Zealand’s growing reputation as a provider of complete marine solutions.

At least 11 of the 25 finalists at the 2007 International Superyacht Society Design Awards featured New Zealand equipment, hardware or services. Three of the finished boats that were nominated as finalists were also built in New Zealand.

Alloy Yachts’ 41m motoryacht Como won the award for Best Interior Design for a power boat, confirming New Zealand’s reputation for the production of quality luxury marine interiors. The interior, designed by English company Redman Whitely Dixon, was built by Alloy’s in-house team of skilled craftsmen.

The International Superyacht Society Design Awards were held overnight on the eve of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida. A dozen New Zealand marine companies catering to the superyacht industry are exhibiting at the event at a large New Zealand New Thinking exhibition space developed with assistance from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Additionally, two of the superyachts on display at the show had their interiors completed by specialist New Zealand marine interiors companies.

Stuart Robinson, chairman of marine export group NZ Marine, said New Zealand’s wide-ranging presence at the boat show and its contribution to many of the luxury vessels that made it into the design awards illustrated just how critical New Zealand’s expertise had become to the industry globally.

 “A number of New Zealand boat building companies have established themselves as world-class players in this industry. But behind the scenes, there are innovative companies supplying all sorts of products and services to the international marine industry.

“These companies are increasingly recognised as providers of customised, quality products that can be manufactured quickly and supplied easily to yards around the world. They are consistently providing some of the best rigging, spars, anchoring, and interior solutions to many of the world’s best luxury boat builders,” Mr Robinson said.

New Zealand equipment and hardware featuring in the design award finalists include:

Southern Spars supplied rigging to six of the design award finalists, including the 63.4m rig on Alloy Yacht’s Kokomo, its largest to date.

High Modulus provided composite engineering services to seven contenders, including masts, booms and superstructures.

Manson Anchors provided anchors to four of the vessels including category winner Cambria II.
 
Cervina Marine supplied customised electrical design and automation solutions to Fitzroy Yachts’ Zulu.
 

Vectek Marine provided its shore power converters to two of the finalists, including category winner Bystander.
 

New Zealand companies building interiors for vessels being exhibited at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show include:

Robinson Marine Interiors crafted the interior for the 49.9m motoryacht Mine Games, built by United States boatbuilder Trinity Yachts.
 

SMI Group completed the interior on the Calaxis 105 Superyacht exhibited at the show.
 

The show displays more than US$1 billion worth of boats yachts and accessories. New Zealand’s stand highlights the country’s new thinking that is behind some of the marine industry’s best innovations, a theme which will also be prevalent at a networking dinner that NZTE has organised for the Saturday night. The gala event has become a popular event for the international marine industry to learn more about New Zealand’s wide-ranging expertise.

Additionally, the spirit of new thinking that has helped build the New Zealand marine industry’s reputation will again be shared with the world in Auckland next year Yacht Vision 08, a regular symposium that attracts industry participation from around the world, is being held in March 2008 and will discuss how the superyacht industry is responding to consumer trends and security issues.

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