MARINE BUSINESS NEWS
NEWS UPDATE
31 January 2025
Publishers note
The Australia Day long weekend seems to have been good to many of us despite the sudden changes in the weather. There were festivities around the country, with Sydney Harbour coming alive from the early hours of the morning through till late in the evening. I am reliably informed that other great Australian waters were also as festive with boating shining through as a lifestyle many love.
Late last week came the news that Dr Jouko Huju had passed. Whilst Jouko played a big part in shaping the Finnish boating sector, he was also well known and respected for his work internationally with ICOMIA, IFBSO and most recently as a consultant with GMBA. Fair winds and following seas.
Also ariving late last week was the news that the BIA have had a change in leadership with Andrew Feilding appointed as CEO and Andrew Scott moving to the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Don’t forget that the Marina of the Year Awards submissions are closing on 7 March. There are 12 categories you can enter, so ensure you take a moment to understand the various opportunities. You can find links to the various award categories and the entry form in this Enews or on our website.
Marine Business News is an Australian-owned marine industry news service publishing local and international news. If you have news stories you would like to share, please let us know by contacting our newsroom via our email at NewsRoom@MarineBusinessNews.com.au.
Stay safe on the water,
Domenic Genua - Publisher
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Vale Jouko Huju
GMBA mourns the loss of founder Jouko Huju. It is with profound sadness that GMBA announced the passing of Jouko Huju, a distinguished leader and visionary in the marine industry. He leaves behind a legacy of collaboration and unwavering dedication that has profoundly shaped the Finish Boating sector and touched the global marine industry sector.
Fielding & Scott Reshape BIA Leadership
Andrew Fielding today became CEO of the Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) in a long-planned restructure of the peak marine industry body in Australia. BIA President Adam Smith announced the appointment which will see Andrew Scott move seamlessly to Chief Financial Officer to create a powerful Executive leadership team with the unanimous support of the Board.
Tips for Submitting Your Entry for the Nautilus Marine Insurance 2025 Marina of the Year Awards
The 2025 Marina of the Year Awards are approaching, and time is running out to submit your entry. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight your marina’s achievements and gain industry recognition. Ensure your submission is completed before the deadline.
Dometic advances sustainability with new Marine AC refrigerant technology
Dometic has announced the launch of its 2025 marine air conditioning systems, designed with sustainability at their core. New systems utilise newly developed advanced refrigerants with significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) index, aligning with stringent upcoming global environmental regulations.
Raymarine Collaborates on Electric Superyacht Tender — The Z11
Raymarine announced it has collaborated with Zin Boats on a new, exciting project developing the world’s most advanced electric superyacht tender – the Z11. Associated with Feadship’s Project 821, the Z11 combines marine navigation and vessel automation, unmatched performance and luxurious design that will set a new standard in the marine industry.
Pretty in pink – Mermaid joins the D-Class fleet
Mermaid, the Derwent Class yacht undergoing restoration at Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co, will soon take her place among the D-Class fleet – standing out from the crowd with her hot pink hull. Mermaid is D11 and the second D-Class in the family for the owners of D18, Merlin, adding to the local fleet racing in regular twilight sessions in Kettering.
Freedom Boat Club Surpasses 600,000 Member Boating Trips for Second Consecutive Year in 2024
Freedom Boat Club, the world’s largest boat club, announced it surpassed 600,000-member boating trips in 2024, marking the second consecutive year the company has achieved this significant milestone. This achievement spans Freedom Boat Club’s 400+ locations across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Queenstown to host 2025 Marinas and Boatyard Conference
The New Zealand Marina Operators Association has announced that its 2025 conference will be held from 10-12 September in Queenstown. “Queenstown is home to one of the industry’s most respected and innovative regional marinas,” says NZMOA Chair Chris Galbraith.
New boating strategy launched to boost water safety in SA
The State Government has released the South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy 2025-2030, to help combat irresponsible and dangerous behaviour across the state’s coastal and inland waters. The strategy outlines 25 key actions across five priority areas to improve safety on our waterways.
Yamaha Introduces New Fully-Electric Propulsion HARMO® Outboards
Yamaha kicks off 2025 with new product offerings including an expansion of its HARMO line, available in single and twin configurations. Fully integrated with Helm Master® EX, the new HARMO provides comfortable, intuitive boating control that enables boaters of all skill levels to manoeuvre their boat with confidence.
boot Düsseldorf 2025: The world’s leading trade fair is the industry’s driving force
boot Düsseldorf 2025, which drew to a close on Sunday after a nine-day run time, impressively confirmed its pole position on the international trade fair market. With 1,500 exhibitors from 67 countries in 16 exhibition halls it presented a comprehensive image of the international water sports sector inspiring visitors.
Powercraft giant marks milestone with significant donation to Surf Life Saving
IBombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) for more than 15 years and to mark the milestone, the powercraft giant has made another significant contribution to surf lifesaving around the country.
VisionAnchor Wins Pitching Competition at boot Düsseldorf 2025
Slovenian nautical startup VisionAnchor has achieved remarkable success at boot Düsseldorf, the world’s largest boat show. The company’s innovative VisionAnchor S buoy won the nautical pitching competition organised by Yachting Ventures and the European Boating Industry (EBI).
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