Marina World - Issue 145 - Sep/Oct 2024 by SuperYacht Times

SUPERDOCKS ™

PUSHING LIMITS

SF Marina is a world-renowned expert on developing new or existing premium marinas. We provide state-of-the-art ﬂoating breakwaters and concrete pontoons to anyone anywhere who plans on building a marina with superyacht berths. And who wants it to still be there after the storm.

Chelsea McNeilly discusses the potential of marinas in terms of coastal development, and Oscar Siches calls for more collaboration with architects

Metstrade 2024 plays host to a vibrant Marina & Yard

Special Focus: Building a Marina Portfolio Chris Petty (Suntex), Victor Ballestas (Integra Marinas) and Gyozo Lantos (D-Marin) talk to Marina World

On the cover: Size isn’t everything when it comes to building a marina portfolio. The beautiful Marina Borik has under 200 berths in contrast with the mighty 1,200-berth Marina Dalmacija – both in Zadar, Croatia, and both in the D-Marin portfolio. Find out more about how key investors view marina acquisitions on p.25

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Tracking charter

In line with many boat sharing initiatives, charter continues to build traction in both developed and emerging boating destinations. According to recent research conducted by The Business Research Company, charter has grown from US$15.9 billion in 2023 to a likely $16.85 billion this year. Regulatory changes in the yachting industry, increased customer environmental awareness, and a higher number of charter offerings are amongst the reasons cited for the continued uplift.

This is expected to continue. By 2028, due to “flexible and adaptive charter policies”, enhanced charter booking platforms, influence of social media and expansion of emerging markets, the industry could be worth $25.46 billion. Europe represented the largest region in terms of the yacht charter market in 2023 but North America is expected to be the fastest growing region between now and 2030.

Growth in charter significantly impacts marinas, many of which welcome the steady income of a resident charter fleet. Platforms to help and support this are on the increase, and experiencing good uptake. Acquera’s AcqueraPro, for example, now has 169 Mediterranean marinas signed up to its network (see p.66) which was established to support captains and charter brokers in their day-to-day duties, and assist with port formalities and itinerary planning.

In this issue, we include some valuable industry feedback from Kenta Inaba of Super Yacht Logistics (p.46) who has first-hand experience of how yachting is developing in Japan. Although he notes that small boat ownership has declined, there is growth in the number of motor vessels owned in the 20-30m (55-98ft) range, and significant opportunity for charter at superyacht level.

Japanese government rules have been overhauled for foreign registered superyachts, removing red tape and putting Japan on a level playing field with many other superyacht destinations, but there is still more to be achieved in terms of regulation change before Japan can benefit from charter to the same degree as, say, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tahiti.

Other countries are becoming equally proactive. According to The Phuket News, critical discussions took place a few weeks ago between the governor and key government and tourism industry figures regarding a draft announcement by the Ministry of Transport aimed at establishing new criteria, methods and conditions for granting permissions for foreign-flagged charter superyachts.

The initiative seeks to align Thai standards with international standards, and the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA) noted that a key revision will be to change the definition of a superyacht from a vessel longer than 30m (98ft) to a vessel longer than 24m (79ft). Several team members from Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) – highly active in Thailand – attended the meeting, and APS co-founder Gordon Fernandes, praised the “move forward” with regard to revised charter rules and relaxed measures for vessel size.

The key to many of the changes and heightened government perception of the very real economic benefits of charter operations – for vessels of all sizes – owes much to industry lobbying. It’s good to see that this is having positive effect.

Carol Fulford Editor

STRONG · SAFE · SUSTAINABLE SEAFLEX

CUSTOM

Biggest marina in Seoul approved

SOUTH KOREA: The Seoul Metropolitan Government has signed an agreement with private company Hangang Marina for a 220-berth marina able to accommodate vessels up to 24m (79ft) in Jamsil Hangang Park, Songpa District. When complete, it will be the largest marina in the city.

To be known as Jamsil Marina, the project forms part of the government’s Comprehensive Plan for Hangang River City, which aims to convert the waterfront into a space for “everyday life” by establishing floating hotels, dining areas and office spaces, and to

make the river a “growth hub” via the marina and additional mooring spaces for a total of 1,000 boats.

Construction of Jamsil Marina is scheduled to begin early next year with a view to opening in 2026.

Suntex and Northgate to manage Kimberling Resort

USA: Suntex Marina Investors has partnered with Northgate Resorts to manage the resort at Port of Kimberling, Kimberling City, Missouri. With Northgate’s extensive experience in hospitality management, the collaboration is aimed at elevating the lodging experience for all marina guests.

“Our mission at Port of Kimberling remains focused on delivering seamless fun and memorable moments for all our guests,” said marina general manager Andy Kilgore. “We believe Northgate Resorts shares this vision and will be instrumental in helping us achieve it.”

To lead the new approach, Port of Kimberling Resort & Campground has contracted Lenny Ammerman as its new general manager. Ammerman brings a wealth of experience, having successfully managed a large

campground in the Branson area. “We are thrilled to have Lenny join our team,” said Kilgore. “With his leadership and Northgate’s support, we are confident in a bright future for the resort.”

A best-in-class marina, Port Of Kimberling provides amenities including wet slips and drystack, fuel, a ship’s store, boat clubs and rentals, houseboat rentals, dining, sales and service. The resort includes accommodation in hotels, cabins and on RV sites.

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More information at: vogelsang.info/int/pierpump-2024

Piers replaced at QEII Marina

CHANNEL ISLANDS: Walcon Marine has successfully removed and replaced piers D and E in the QEII Marina, Guernsey. The £1.4 million contract for Guernsey Ports involved a total of 500m (1,640ft) of walkways and finger pontoons.

The piers involved sit in an exposed position near the marina entrance where heavy swells can occur. To protect the 130 larger leisure boats that moor in this part of the marina, Walcon used its Heavy Duty pontoons.

The contract is part of a wider £10 million programme of investment in QEII Marina’s infrastructure as much dates back to its construction in the 1980s and is thus past the end of its design life.

Jenny Giles, head of infrastructure delivery for Guernsey Ports, said it was once again a pleasure to work with Walcon. “Replacing piers D and E was a major logistical operation, but it went smoothly and the new piers were in place ready for the new season. We are confident that they will give many years of service to our customers,” she noted.

City green lights marina rebuild

USA: The City of Clearwater has given approval for a complete $43.5 million rebuild of Clearwater Beach Marina, Clearwater, Florida. The construction project is being managed by Kokolakis Contracting with Moffatt and Nichol as lead engineer.

Scheduled to start next month (October), the first of two phases will begin with complete demolition and rebuild of the west side of the marina. Project goals include replacing all the aging docks and all utilities pedestals. The slip mix will be reconfigured for optimal mix but the 165 slip count will remain unchanged. All commercial operations will remain in place during construction.

Completion is scheduled for April 2026.

Attenuator offers sailboat storage

USA: To create a perimeter of protection behind its pile-supported fixed piers, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland has added a new SF Marina wave attenuator. The floating concrete breakwater will not only shield manmade Santee basin from wave action from the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay but also add much-needed ondeck sailboat storage.

Lead contractor and engineer

Tuckman-Barbee Construction designed the 200ft (61m) attenuator using 13 SF Marina SF400 concrete floating breakwater pontoons. These offer unprecedented stability, and are connected using a patented coupling system that allows them to absorb wave energy without damage.

Sub-contractors Crandell Marine Construction and Seaward Marine Construction installed the breakwater. A 49ft (15m) opening was created for access to the basin that provides ample room for vessel manoeuvrability. Integrated utility ducts provide power and water and contain sewage pumpout lines. Each pontoon is moored with two 24in (61cm) steel piles.

One of the breakwater sections is fitted with rows of stainless steel tracks, which attach to sloped timber docks

for the USNA’s fleet of racing dinghies. An oversized ramp is used to roll the

sailboats down the concrete dock from the fixed pier.

Delivering the marinas of tomorrow

Hi-tech solutions to connect land and sea

Pontoons, breakwaters, superyacht piers, floating crossings and constructions, off-the-shelf or customised, with robust and reliable structures in steel, aluminium or concrete.

Marina Santelena e Diporto Velico, Venice - Italy

D-Marin wins tender for Camille Rayon

FRANCE: D-Marin has entered the French marina market by becoming the new operator of the famous Camille Rayon marina in the heart of the Côte d’Azur. The Vallauris Golfe-Juan municipal council approved the company as the concessionaire for the redevelopment and operation of the marina.

Strategically positioned on the Mediterranean coast, Camille Rayon has 841 berths and caters for all boat sizes, from 6m (20ft) to 75m (246ft).

Built in 1989, it is perfectly sheltered and in close proximity to a wealth of destinations and attractions.

D-Marin plans a significant €52

Port Vell shape-up for America’s Cup

SPAIN: Marina Port Vell completed a significant transformation project in July ahead of its involvement in the America’s Cup. The €20 million project, which began in 2021, has enhanced its capacity and services for large yachts.

The project focused on three areas: reorganisation of berthing, landscaping, and installation of a new fuel system. A total of 23 new berths was added for vessels up to 70m (230ft) and the mooring area was reorganised to improve the visitors’ view of the water. The action plan for landscaping included increasing green spaces around five of the docks.

The new fuel supply was installed to reduce the risk of pollution. This involved the installation of a 510m (1,670ft) supply network, which gives in-berth fuel access to all vessels via a pumping system.

The project completion came just one month before the start of the America’s Cup on 22nd August and 18 months after Marina Port Vell was designated as the preferred superyacht marina for the event. The marina is hosting exclusive activities, special dining opportunities and experiences in its facilities, including VIP On Board programmes to watch the competition on premium vessels, and sale of exclusive merchandise, and more, in luxury boutiques.

WORLD NEWS

million investment in the marina and its facilities over the next 25 years and aims to equip Camille Rayon with digital systems. The architect Rudy Ricciotti, Bouygues Construction and design office Arcadis have been contracted to undertake the marina renovation. Shipyard operations will be managed by leading superyacht refit, repair and maintenance company MB92.

“Welcoming Camille Rayon marks another milestone for D-Marin as our first marina in France,” said Corinne Reynaud, D-Marin CFO and president D-Marin France. “We are thrilled by the decision from the elected officials within the municipal council. It’s paramount for us to establish our proven approach to the environment, sustainability and governance and work in partnership with the local community and stakeholders. This opens a new page in the history of Camille Rayon marina.”

Kevin Luciano, mayor of Vallauris Golfe-Juan, vice president of the Sophia Antipolis Agglomeration Community and departmental councillor of the Alpes-Maritimes, described the marina as entering a new era, and anticipated Rudy Ricciotti, a world-renowned architect, transforming the marina into a work of art. “This programme will strengthen the attractiveness of the port but also the international influence of Vallauris Golfe-Juan,” he added.

The president of the Port of Barcelona, Lluís Salvadó (second from left), visiting the renovated facilities along with representatives from Port Vell and the Barcelona City Council.

Marina Port Vell was expecting to

welcome over 110 superyachts during the America’s Cup, meaning that on any given day there could be around 2,500 yacht owners and guests, along with approximately 1,000 crew members. Additionally, via agreements with public and private entities in the city, the facility expected to host thousands of visitors over the two-month period.

New Partner

We are excited to announce that Jack Cox has been named Vice President of Engineering and is now a full partner and co-owner of Edgewater Resources. Over the years, he has led our team of talented engineers and shared his insight, knowledge, and infectious enthusiasm for innovation, research, engineering, and design gained throughout his illustrious 50-year career. As one of the very few triple board-certiﬁed coastal, port, and navigation engineers in the world, he has elevated our team and made us state-of-the-art in the ﬁeld of resilient coastal engineering and marina design.

He will continue to lead and mentor our talented and dedicated engineering team to provide innovative and enduring solutions focusing on nearshore hydrodynamics, harbor tranquility, breakwaters, vessel navigation and berthing, ﬁxed and ﬂoating marine structures, shore protection, and port planning for our valued clients.

JACK C. COX PE, BC.CE, BC.PE, BC.NE

Coastal concepts: re-imagining marina potential

by Chelsea McNeilly

Among the world’s most breathtaking views, the waterfront for many is a destination and experience unlike any other. The expansive blue water, the crisp, clean air, and the echoes of nature give waterfronts a sense of peace that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Marinas offer many benefits to a waterfront destination that improve the area surrounding it. From social events to important industries, building a marina is invaluable to its neighbourhood and community. Many changes have come to the marina industry, even within the past decade.

Focusing on the future trends of the industry in terms of technology and design, builders and owners should consider many factors when installing or improving upon what they already have. Starting the process of planning with future potential in mind is the key to a successfully operating marina.

To understand how marinas can look to the future, it is important to examine the trends that are driving the current

marina design industry. Multiple factors are involved when creating well-crafted designs that lead to fewer complications during construction. Harnessing advancements in technology and using them to create dynamic plans for your marina is a must. Drones and imaging technology, for example, can precisely create dynamic maps of the water and land making specific aspects of the marina design less likely to fall on the side of error.

Currently, modelling structures account for traditional two-dimensional floor plans. With marina planners steering towards 3D modelling, the capabilities of design software will be used to more accurately predict the weight of a floating structure. And, as

Utilising water space for floating buildings is increasingly popular. The dockmaster’s office, laundry room, gazebo and bathrooms are all housed over the water at Naples City Dock in Naples, Florida.

AI is integrated into design technology, calculations and modifications are going to become easier and more precise.

In addition to the physical considerations of marina planning and design, we are seeing a revolutionary shift in the management and operation of marinas in the US and around the globe. US based company, Dockwa, for example, a specialist in marina management software, is pioneering the integration of marinas and technology. With much more data to manage now than ever before, automating processes makes life easier for boat owners, dockmasters, dockhands and others. For example,

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Entertainment brings engagement to the waterfront. Safe Harbor Ventura Isle encourages this with party platforms on its docks.

from July 2019 to July 2023, the reservations made on the Dockwa mobile app jumped from 56% to 66%. In addition, over 300,000 boaters use the company’s technology to manage their boating logistics while more than 600,000 vessels have information stored in their data.

As society moves towards an appbased lifestyle, the boating industry and waterfront life will continue to shift with it. Dockwa hypothesises that boaters are tending to lean more toward mobile accessibility in their logistic management. Utilising the data collected by software companies can bring your marina to life and help you stay ahead in the future.

Popular marinas are more often functioning as a destination rather than a boat parking lot, and there is untapped potential that a floating marina can unlock. Including floating structures in a marina design is an innovative way of bringing the amenities that people need and use to the boaters. Floating buildings and platforms bring interaction with the local community, giving public access to marinas and opening accessibility to the waterfront that did not always exist.

When considering adding floating structures to a marina, one of the primary decisions is the type of marina being built. For example, will the marina host fishing tournaments such as the Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama or Seabreeze Marina in

PLANNING & DESIGN

Charleston, South Carolina? Is the marina a service marina, like Safe Harbor Rybovich in West Palm Beach, Florida? Or perhaps it functions as a luxury destination, like the Town of Palm Beach’s marina. When designing a marina, understanding the complexities from riparian rights, government regulations and environmental permitting are key in developing active and living waterfront destinations. For the success of a waterfront destination, the local points of interest in the surrounding area or lack thereof should be considered in the initial marina design. If a marina is constructed in a more remote region, amenities should be included in the concept to draw people to the area.

Boating trends also dictate the everchanging landscape of marinas. Within the past five years alone, the boat

The Town of West Palm Beach Marina in Florida is designed to function as a luxury destination, welcoming superyachts and maximising the benefits of its position at the heart of the town.

community has shifted dramatically. More active than ever, boat registrations are still in a constant upward trend. As more boaters are now on the water than before, marinas are becoming a point of entertainment for people from all over. In the past, marinas were often under-designed as they were budget driven and were viewed as just a mooring place for vessels. But what brings engagement to the water? Entertainment! Party spaces, restaurants and nightlife engage both the public and the boaters to enjoy all that a marina has to offer. Safe Harbor Ventura Isle created party platforms on its docks, complete with comfortable furniture, to give its members a place to gather and celebrate on the water. As land use becomes more restricted and/or prohibited, marinas can turn to the water for more liveable space, and floating buildings and platforms bring both utility and entertainment value. Consider the Naples City Dock in Florida where the dockmaster’s office, laundry, gazebo and restrooms are all housed over the water.

The future of marina construction is grounded in ever-changing waterfront trends. As the world continues to advance in technology, the most successful leaders in the boat industry are going to be those who can adapt and partner with forward-thinking companies around them. Choosing a partner who has experience in marina design and installation will ensure you get the right solution for your marina investment. How will you innovate the blue waterfront?

www.bellingham-marine.com

PLANNING & DESIGN

Bring in the architects

by Oscar Siches

Long gone are the times when having a permit for a coastal development meant that piers would be built, a small office set up ashore, and the marina management waited until achieving a reasonable occupation of berths for business success.

Today, the marina industry has changed totally. First, you decide/ choose your ideal client: a social profile (retired people, young couples with children, working professionals), type of boat, and what they will use it for (cruising, day trip). Then you start designing the marina, not forgetting the services required (parking, security, boat maintenance) and the onshore facilities (commercial spaces, restaurants, bars, gym, security, children’s playgrounds etc).

Everything has to take other things into consideration: toilets at a reasonable distance from piers, restaurants, bars and commercial spaces, parking close enough to the marina uplands, access roads for the bigger boats with parking for suppliers and service companies, food and beverage deliveries and deliveries to the commercial spaces, a refuse collection point that’s far away enough away to not be noisy but not be inconvenient, and so on. I could cite many more factors that must be

Porto Antico di Genova was reconnected to the sea for the 1992 Expo just after it incorporated the Genoa Fair. Many architects were involved in the ensuing transformation including Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel.

considered for a harmonious system and an optimal marina operation.

But in the previous paragraphs, we have not mentioned people. In the marinas of the 1960s, the people, i.e. the boat users, would circulate from cars to boats, making the marinas a mere passage from land to water and the other way around when mooring up at the end of the day. Today, the land-water interface function remains, but the social types frequenting the marina are more varied: boaters, restaurant goers, shop patrons, visitors,

The symbolic centrepiece of Monaco’s remodelled harbour front, the Yacht Club de Monaco was designed by Foster & Partners to celebrate the principality’s nautical heritage. Its series of deck-like terraces step up along the harbour to offer spectacular views.

sportsmen, a substantial amount of marina personnel, and technical services providers. Marinas have become small communities.

When I worked in marine electronics, the greatest challenge was not the performance of the electronics but meeting the client’s expectations. Having a Satcom and a telephone exchange made them think they could access international communications from aboard their yacht and everywhere nearby. Remember that back then (mid-90s), we were only at the outset of mobile and satellite communications. Today, the expectations of those outside the marina world are higher still. This is a result of the evolution marinas have enjoyed, but we designers and operators have to face the mistaken parties who thought they had discovered King Midas’ secret or the philosopher’s stone. People see only gleaming yachts in the marina with wealthy owners onboard, not realising that the owners will spend just a small fraction of time at the marina while the crews will stay for around 300 days a year, becoming the permanent, constant, reliable client. We have learned that people are an important asset, and we must make them feel they are in the best possible place. To achieve that, we cannot depend only on berths, services and technology. Dan Natchez, an

Alexandre Prevot

French industrial design icon Philippe Starck has made such a mark on Porto Adriano in Mallorca that the marina is marketed as “The Starck Marina”. His avant-garde design is most notable in the communal areas and the shopping complex.

experienced and successful marina designer who has long been a mentor to many of us, has highlighted that the user’s first impression of a marina is actually when coming through the entrance, and this point signifies what they can expect beyond. That allimportant first impression, perceived in the first five seconds, is very hard to change. One of the subliminal messages received is: “This is what we, the marina, think you are worth.” This is also where architecture becomes a factor of fundamental importance when designing a modern marina.

We older marina designers, ‘design dinosaurs’ as we are perhaps known, have been dealing with marina design to set up upland needs, guided by our assumptions of how the marina had to be. Sometimes, architects were involved, mainly to cope with urban regulations. A marina was supposed to be about boats, not buildings or parks. That has changed forever. In today’s marina, we must balance form and function, and consider people traffic, privacy, security, restaurant and bar

Marina di Varazze was sensitively designed by Turin-based architects Roberto Gabetti and Aimaro Isola with the collaboration of Pietro Venezia from Varazze. Buildings are inspired by local bathing establishments of the early 20th century.

PLANNING & DESIGN

appeal, and ambience. Any building and construction must function whilst complementing other parts of the marina as well as the marina’s services.

An historic mistake we, as dinodesigners, made was to look at the marina from the landside. We would walk around the place, discussing it with architects and looking towards the water. By doing that, we missed the first impression of 50% of the marina users: those who arrive by boat.

In 2007 IGY, one of the world’s most successful marina groups, devised a moto: “Arrival is just the beginning.” It says everything, and it is still 100% valid today; it is an invitation and a promise of something fantastic, of the unique experience that awaits.

That is what we marina designers and operators must keep in mind. From the beacon at the furthest pontoon to the design and layout of the pedestals, fire fighting stations, toilets, rescue ladders,

Sergio Bolla

light poles, shoreside buildings and the marina entrance, we must provide beauty (85% of human perception comes through the eyes), efficiency and comfort, and account for the feasible possibility of making changes after eight to ten years, as marinas evolve much faster than before, embracing social changes, boat changes, different rules and government attitudes.

Be wary of something that has not changed with time. There are three ‘types’ of marina – the user’s marina, the operator’s marina, and the government’s marina, and each must balance desire with feasibility. Architects should consult us professionals for the particularities of the business as they are the ones with the knowledge of people, form and volumes, nature and art. If we want to create a superb marina, we need them to weave their magic and, although some well-known architects have ventured into yachting and marinas in the past, like Sir Norman Foster, Renzo Piano (a yachtsman himself) and Jean Nouvel, they should be welcomed into our industry more often.

For architects, it is challenging to work in this specific world, interfacing people with land and water. But the user will immediately recognise something well-designed to fit the homely, comforting feeling associated with a yacht harbour.

Not only do we arrive at the marina, but if there is also a beautiful view and efficient service to receive us, then we feel totally welcome immediately. When you get it right, no-one will feel any desire to leave. And the marina crew will not only take care of the clients but feel proud to be part of such a harmonious operation.

WHERE THE GLOBAL LEISURE MARINE INDUSTRY COMES TOGETHER

The METSTRADE Show is the world’s largest marine equipment trade show and the only truly international B2B exhibition. With excellent networking opportunities, a broad range of showcased innovations and located in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the METSTRADE Show is an unmissable event for every professional in the marine industry.

What’s to come at Metstrade 2024

Anticipation is building for the 2024 Metstrade event in Amsterdam, 19th-21st November, where up to 50 exhibitors are expected to promote new products and systems in the well-established Marina & Yard Pavilion (MYP).

As in past years, the MYP (Hall 5) will be the central hub for marina professionals travelling to the RAI Amsterdam exhibition halls from all around the world; will be the favoured location for dealer and agent meetings; and will buzz with networking opportunities including the Waterfront Drinks get-together on the Marina World stand.

Marina-specific focus continues in the Metstrade Theatre (Hall 13) where Mike Ward and Simon Goodhead of Marina Projects will head up a Marina World session discussing new and future considerations for marina design. Members of the ICOMIA team also take to the stage to present a preview of IWMC 2025, the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference to be held in Venice. The event will also be promoted by Marina World, as media partner, from the Marina World stand in the MYP.

Inspirational themes

There are many other special focuses around the show – some well-established and others new – with emphasis on the Metstrade 2024 themes of accessibility and inclusion, emerging technologies and sustainabililty.

The DAME Awards will be presented as normal during the Breakfast Briefing on the first day of the show and products

from all nominees and winners will be prominently displayed in Hall 13 in the DAME Design Awards display. Proceeds from the competition entrance fees always go to a carefully selected charity and the 2024 choice of the advisory committee is SailWise, organiser of sailing camps for the disabled.

Terry Hutchinson, a highly experienced skipper and president of operations for New York Yacht Club American Magic, will deliver this year’s opening keynote during the Breakfast Briefing. Hutchinson is well known for his extraordinary achievements and leadership at international sailing level and he is set to inspire all who attend.

Superyachts and racing yachts

The Superyacht Forum (TSF), held 18th-19th November, is re-imagined for 2024 under RAI Amsterdam organisation and supported by headline partners AkzoNobel/Awlgrip, DNV, Lürssen and Neom/Sindalah. Over 600 leading professionals will ‘Think Ahead’ on three key issues – innovation, sustainability and professionalisation. The TSF will be more closely aligned with the Superyacht Pavilion and its three halls of global specialist manufacturers and suppliers.

In addition to a wealth of topics

EVENTS

covered in sessions in the Metstrade Theatre, the Yacht Racing Forum will be held at Metstrade for the first time.

The leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing, the event provides a platform for knowledge exchange, networking and discussing the latest trends and innovations in the world of yacht racing.

There is still time to exhibit in the MYP (contact the team via metstrade@ rai.nl) and plenty more to discover at www.metstrade.com

When planning your visit, make Marina World (stand 05.711 in the MYP) a port of call.

MYP Exhibitors

Alto Service Italia

Amilibia Marinas

Arabel – i-marina

Ascom

Boat Lift

Buldock

Capria Stacker Machinery

Cimolai Technology

CloudEnergy

Den Hartog Industries

Drysta Europe

Dura Composites

EZ Dock

FGM Technology Engineering

Floatsol

GH Cranes & Components

Gigieffe

Ingemar

Inmare

Inter Boat Marinas

Intermarine

Leestrom

Lindley Marinas

Mack David Buildings

Marconn

Marex Elektrostroj

Marina World

Marine Travelift

Marinefloor Europe

Marinetek

Martini Alfredo

Metalu Industries International

MF Catenificio Frigerio

Nautech Kft

Nautipark

Nautisys

Navaltecnosud Boat Stands

Pacsoft International

Plus International

PMS

Poralu Marine

Ronautica Marinas

Roodberg

Rotogal

Seijsener Marina Services

SF Marina

Smarter Technologies

Spillcontrol

Versadock

W2 Support

Walcon Marine

Exhibitor list as at 31st August 2024

MarinaAssociation.org/ConferenceAndExpo

Broward County Convention Center FORT

Network with almost 1,200 people

Over 25 educational sessions focusing on leadership, operations, design and engineering, HR and industry trends

One-stop shop exhibit hall with over 170 booths showcasing cutting-edge products and services

Pre-conference workshops and marina and boatyard tours

Specialist builders of marinas with more than sixty years’ experience

Industry leading technical, design, manufacture and engineering capabilities

commercial and leisure pontoons, access bridges

Installation barges, dedicated piling

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

Building a marina portfolio

Building a marina portfolio is a sensitive balancing act. As more ‘group’ players enter the industry having realised that an investment portfolio can be focused on marina-based property, the market becomes increasingly competitive.

If we look back to the discussion with key property sales professionals in Marina World March/April (Issue 142), we can take a snapshot of the topic from their perspective. Julie Fisher Berry at CBRE confirmed that “all marina investors are expanding, however many have greater access to capital and can expand more rapidly than others.” Calum Winsor said he was seeing new groups with the desire “to acquire as many marinas as possible and expand in all markets” and colleague Christian Johannsen reported “at least four to six new entries into the marinas space that were not there before.” Michelle Ash at Simply

THE COMPANIES

Suntex Marinas

The executive officers at Suntex have over 100 years combined experience investing in, acquiring and managing marinas. Suntex prides itself on a growing reputation in the marina industry for its commitment to superior customer service, experienced marina managers and staff, conscious contributions to marina communities, and expansive enthusiasm for creating memorable experiences on the water.

One of six Integra Marinas’ facilities in Florida, The Perry Marina is the largest marina in the Florida Keys.

Marinas spoke of several funds and groups entering the market “with the intent of placing large investment amounts in marinas.”

There are many companies around the world looking to build portfolios at different levels and with widely differing resources. Marina World speaks to Gyozo Lantos (GL) at D-Marin – the largest portfolio player in the Mediterranean; Chris Petty (CP) at Suntex – the largest standalone recreational marina owner in the USA; and Victor Ballestas (VB) at Integra Marinas – a business entity of property

Integra Marinas

Integra Marinas is Integra Investments’ marina vertical, focused on acquiring, developing, operating and managing best-in-class marinas in high barrier-toentry markets. Integra Marinas focuses on unique repositioning opportunities where it can leverage its differentiated skills as a marina operator and upland developer. With its diverse partnerships, it strategically deploys capital across the marina sector, focusing on owning and operating high-performing assets.

The cast

Chris Petty, Chief Investment Officer, Suntex Marinas

Victor Ballestas, Principal, Integra Marinas

Gyozo Lantos, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, D-Marin

expert Integra Investments that is an expanding collector of best-in-class facilities.

Q: Are you still looking to acquire new properties? Have you recently sold any marinas?

CP: We are well capitalised and will continue to grow our portfolio via the acquisition of new properties. We have not recently sold any marinas.

GL: Expanding our selection of premium marinas through acquisitions is an integral part of D-Marin’s core strategy. It is our vision to create the first pan-Mediterranean Premium

D-Marin

D-Marin was established in 2003 and is headquartered in Greece. Its marina selection spans across the Mediterranean and Gulf regions, totalling over 14,000 berths with dry dock facilities that can accommodate over 2,500 vessels. It is dedicated to providing an enriched yachting experience to its clients by delivering outstanding quality standards and the highest level of customer service to both private customers and business partners.

Nick Doll Photography

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

Selection of marinas, equivalent to a five-star hotel chain, where our customers can choose from a variety of cruising destinations, while enjoying the same level of exclusive and effortless customer service at each and every location.

Our core geographic focus is the Mediterranean, where we have created several clusters of marinas to provide seamless cruising routes across renowned yachting destinations. While

A top tier stop-over for vessels up to 300ft (91m) in length, Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a flagship Suntex facility.

Marina del Rey Marina in Marina del Rey, California anchors the largest manmade small craft harbour in North America. Surrounded by a wealth of amenities, this Suntex marina offers a wide range of slip sizes.

D-Marin has always had a strong footprint in the Eastern Mediterranean, over the past years we have been able to successfully expand our presence also across the Western Med. In addition, we also have a presence in the United Arab Emirates and are open to exploring new geographies in the future.

VB: Yes. We are opportunistic and actively looking to acquire new

Joining with Almar

One of the most notable moves for Suntex Marinas in 2024 was to join forces with marina management company Almar Marinas – the largest operator of coastal marinas on the west coast of the USA. The move added eight owned marinas in California and nine managed marinas in California and Hawaii to the Suntex portfolio.

Both Suntex and Almar pride themselves on a customercentric approach. “The values at the heart of Almar Marinas and their management team are also at the heart of our business practices here at Suntex,” said Suntex Marinas CEO Bryan Redmond when the merger was announced. “Our core principles are entirely focused on delivering a worldclass hospitality experience to every marina customer with the knowledge that marinas are many things to many people.”

properties and expand our portfolio. We are also open to selling properties when it aligns with our investors’ best interests.

Q: What was your most recent acquisition?

VB: Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage in Stuart, Florida – which we believe offers immense potential for growth and aligns perfectly with our strategic vision.

GL: Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, Italy (see inset story). This acquisition perfectly complements the recent addition of Port Camille Rayon in Golfe-Juan, France (see World News p.11). These two new properties now complete one of the most valuable marina clusters in the Mediterranean, spanning from the Cote d’Azur in France to Tuscany in Italy, and including six premium marinas; Livorno, Mirabello, Marina di Varazze, Aregai, San Lorenzo – all in Italy – ending with Port Camille Rayon in France.

CP: In 2024, we merged the Almar Portfolio and brand (see inset story), including the acquisition of eight owned and nine managed marinas in California and Hawaii. We have also

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

recently acquired one marina on the Atlantic coast in New Jersey.

Q: Do you also have management contracts?

CP: Yes. We have management contracts that were acquired through the mergers of Westrec and Almar Marinas. The contracts include ten locations in Chicago, eight locations in California and one location in Hawaii.

GL: Our primary focus is growing our selection of premium marinas through acquisitions, with a strong preference to take ownership of our new properties. However, in some instances we are also open to management agreements.

Q: Have you set specific acquisition/ growth targets or have your acquisitions been opportunistic?

VB: While we have set specific growth targets, our acquisitions are also opportunistic, driven by unique repositioning opportunities that allow us to leverage our differentiated skills as a marina operator and upland developer.

GL: We have a clearly defined acquisition strategy with our targets increasing every year. There is no limit to the number of acquisitions we could complete, but any new marina must align with our premium selection.

CP: We do not have specific acquisition targets but are also opportunistic buyers. We focus on hub assets in

key MSAs and high-demand boating markets and will expand around a hub with smaller spoke assets.

Q: Do you seek diversity in terms of property or are you focused on running a portfolio of similar marinas?

GL: While our selection of marinas is geographically diverse, each property offers a unique yachting destination for our customers and complements the cruising possibilities.

The D-Marin selection includes marinas which are located in urban settings, such as Zea in the heart of Piraeus, while others are surrounded by natural landscapes like Gocek. Size is another factor that varies across our marina portfolio. For instance, we have two marinas in Zadar, Croatia; Marina

The Perry Marina, Integra Marinas’ destination marina in Key West, is able to host vessels up to 300ft (91m).

Dalmacija is one of our largest marinas with 1,200 berths, whilst Marina Borik is a boutique property with under 200 berths.

However, regardless of their setting or size, all our marinas offer the same high standards, both in terms of marina facilities and the highest levels of customer service.

VB: We seek a balanced approach. While we maintain a core focus on high-quality marinas, we also look for diverse opportunities that offer unique value propositions and strategic benefits.

CP: Our core business model focuses on catering to the recreational boating market. The market demand and operational nature of marinas is diversified when comparing to coastal and geographic differences. However, the consistency in our portfolio is recreational boating including vessels that range in size from personal watercraft to superyachts in excess of 300 feet [91m].

Q: What are the first things you do when you add a new property?

VB: When we add a new property, our first steps involve a thorough evaluation and integration process. This includes assessing the property’s current state, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing our best practices to ensure the marina meets our high standards for service and amenities.

Marina Turgutreis near Bodrum in Turkey is an award-winning D-Marin facility with a vibrant marina village and extensive berthing and boatyard facilities.

CBRE MARINA GROUP

Julie Fisher Berry

Senior Vice President +1 954 562 3270 julie.berry@cbre.com

+ $2.5 Billion in transactions

Sheila Roux Senior Associate +1 954 331 1755 sheila.roux@cbre.com

+ Exceptional knowledge of marina & shipyard operations

+ Commitment to confidential & discreet transactions

+ Unparalleled success in complex transactions

+ Backed by CBRE’s proprietary global platform

Jay Volpenhein Associate

+1 513 317 6655 jay.volpenhein@cbre.com

“Successful transactions of premier marine properties are best served by a partnership with a professional team of experienced and connected advisors who provide global outreach. Our team brings the highest and best value through comprehension of the upside of the marina and shipyard asset class.”

- Julie Fisher Berry, CBRE

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

Six in Italy for D-Marin

At the beginning of August, D-Marin announced the acquisition of Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, its sixth marina in Italy.

Established in 2010, Porto Mirabello caters to the demands of the world’s largest and most important superyachts up to 140m (460ft) in length. It features 407 berths and offers luxury amenities such as a heliport, upscale dining options and boutique shopping.

Benefiting from stunning views of the surrounding coastal scenery and convenient access to the city’s attractions, the marina has excellent leisure facilities, including pool, spa and gym, and a well equipped shipyard.

D-Marin plans a range of improvements to enrich customer experience.

CP: During our diligence process, we identify all deferred maintenance and additional opportunities to reinvest in a marina to add value. These capital improvements can range from minor improvements to a complete redevelopment of a site. At acquisition of a new property, we execute our capital improvement plans as quickly as possible to improve the customer experience. Additionally, we deploy a wellvetted package of infrastructure and operational elements, which includes technology, branding, operational standards, standardised forms and agreements and team member training.

GL: The first step is to warmly welcome the marina, its customers and its team to the D-Marin selection. Staff are an integral component in delivering a premium customer experience, so we offer extensive training and

development opportunities to continuously improve our level of service, which we carefully monitor through the integrated customer satisfaction solution that measures our Net Promoter Score.

D-Marin is highly regarded for its operational excellences, which are implemented from day one. In addition, we also introduce our digital innovations and sustainability initiatives. Once again, we monitor these commitments regularly and are ranked in the top quartile of leisure companies worldwide by EcoVadis for our approach to ESG.

Finally, by promoting a new property both internally to our existing customers and externally at boat shows, we raise awareness of these new locations as yachting destinations, with positive spill over effects to the local communities, such as increased volumes of nautical tourism.

Design, Manufacture

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

Call for bids to operate Funchal Marina

The Ports of Madeira (APRAM) has launched a public tender for the concession to operate Funchal Marina (Marina do Funchal). The tender includes the operation of the commercial zone (dry area of Funchal Marina), the maritime tourist zone (the Port of Funchal recreational pier) and the requalification and operation of the Funchal Marina nautical zone. The deadline for submitting proposals is 26th September 2024.

The area covered comprises a total of 60,000m², of which 14,700m² is land area. The concession term is 15 years and, in addition to an annual rent of no less than €535,000 plus VAT (updated annually in accordance with the Portuguese consumer index), the successful tenderer will pay €500,000 on signing the contract as a consideration for the concession.

“This materialises the vision we have for Funchal Marina for the next 15 years,” says Paula Cabaço. “We want a modern, attractive and competitive marina in this part of the Atlantic which, at the same time, creates a central location in the city of Funchal with aesthetic and commercial relevance.”

In addition to the modernisation and efficiency of the infrastructure, APRAM’s main concern when preparing the public tender was to safeguard existing jobs at the marina. “All workers currently assigned to the concession for the wet part of the marina will keep their jobs,” Cabaço emphasises.

The company awarded the concession will have to carry out

The concession covers a refurbished dry area, 200-berth marina and a recreational pier.

requalification work in the nautical area within a period of one year after the date of the contract. This intervention includes the installation of electric boat charging stations; the replacement of walkways, fingers, ramps, ladders, and water, electricity and communications modules and cabinets; and reinforcement of the piles for the floating infrastructure.

Funchal Marina is perfectly located on the beautiful island of Madeira.

In addition to these investments, the concessionaire is required to install and maintain a Wi-Fi network that covers all concession areas, and ensure human surveillance and video surveillance (CCTV) services, 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The concessionaire will also commit to providing annual support to at least two national and international nautical events promoted by the Madeira Regional Government. This support will be achieved through the provision of docking stations and support services.

The company that wins the public tender will be left with the completely refurbished dry part of Funchal Marina, the result of an investment of €5.3 million made by APRAM. The project, which will be completed by the end of the year, includes improvement of the commercial area. This covers four spaces earmarked for restaurant activity; three spaces intended for cafeteria/beverage activity; nine spaces reserved for general commercial activity, of which at least one must be for grocery activity; ten spaces, in kiosks, intended for customer services and for the sale of services within the scope of tourist entertainment activities; and six storage areas.

Funchal Marina has around 200 berths for recreational vessels and the Porto Funchal recreational pier has capacity for 30 vessels involved in maritime tourist activities.

Further information on p.27

BUYING & SELLING MARINAS

Broom Boats sells to Horning Pleasurecraft

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has confirmed the sale of Broom Boats of Brundall on the UK Norfolk Broads to Horning Pleasurecraft for an undisclosed sum.

The Broom Boats business was established in 1898 and has been part of the Brundall boating community for 125 years. The 8.6-acre (3.49 ha) freehold site provides over 72,000 sq ft

(6,719 sq m) of marine-related buildings, together with 78 private marina berths and a hire fleet comprising 24 luxury cruisers, six electrically operated daycraft and two fishing boats.

The Broom Boats site includes a 78-berth marina.

Also included in the sale was the White Heron pub which was the subject of a £600,000 programme of investment prior to reopening in 2022.

Horning Pleasurecraft owners, Clive and Victoria Richardson currently operate Horning Marina on the River Bure and Cove Marina which is situated virtually next door to the Broom site in Brundall.

Clive Richardson said: “We weren’t actively looking for another marina at the time the Broom opportunity presented itself, but it was on our doorstep and the size of site, together with the extensive hire fleet and facilities, makes it a fantastic fit for us. We have plans to improve and fill the moorings, expand the private work and service division as well as maintain the quality hire fleet. Building Broom Boats at Brundall again is a real possibility.”

Jon Patrick, head of leisure and development at Christie & Co, said the interest in Broom Boats came from a diverse range of potential purchasers including strong interest from the boating and marine related community.

DOCKSIDE UTILITIES

Developing pedestals as ‘technological hubs’

Italian company Gigieffe has spent over 40 years honing and perfecting pedestal designs for all-weather use in marinas. As part of its ongoing development and quest to remain at the forefront of technology, the company has partnered with CloudEnergy to create smart system offerings that impact positively on the marina operator and the boating customer.

Founded in 1962 primarily to install industrial electrical systems, Gigieffe started to specialise in the design and production of electricity and water dispensers for tourist ports and campsites in the early 1980s. Its products were soon exported worldwide and Gigieffe continues to enjoy a thriving export business in all continents.

Aquarius and Domyna are the two primary pedestals available with the CloudEnergy smart systems for service management.

Aquarius, Gigieffe’s very first pedestal, is still in great demand and marketed in different versions. It features high resistance to UV radiation, accidental impact and weathering, and withstands extreme temperatures of -40°C to +110°C. Domyna shares the

Mirko Panzica

The smart journey

CloudEnergy integrates all services into a single app; a cloud-based offering that enables the marina operator to manage everything requiring monitoring or access control, from power and water pedestals to pedestrian entrances and car parks, to toilets, showers, swimming pools and electric vehicle charging stations.

Marina World talks to CloudEnergy’s key account manager Mirko Panzica:

Q: How was CloudEnergy formed and how did your relationship with Gigieffe begin? Did you come up with the idea to incorporate cloud-based management systems into marina power pedestals before working with Gigieffe?

same durability features but has been designed with a two-part removable outer shell. Should accident occur to the structure, a replacement section can easily be installed without cutting off the electricity and water supply.

A: CloudEnergy is a spin-off of an Italian company that’s been an ICT and industrial business since 1983, providing solutions for the industrial IoT field. CloudEnergy thus has the advantage of over 40 years of know-how in managing high tech projects integrating the best industrial connectivity devices with development of software management systems. This experience positioned CloudEnergy as an ideal partner for infrastructure and service companies who wanted to digitalise ports and campsites.

Since 2018, CloudEnergy has been contacted by companies interested in providing solutions that were not just simple installations of electrical infrastructure but had full remote control via an intelligent cloud-based system or “smart system”. Not simple remote control but an intelligent management system.

We collaborated not

DOCKSIDE UTILITIES

only with companies for the digital development of ports, marinas and campsites but also with companies that manage electric charging of vehicles, both cars and bicycles.

The collaboration between CloudEnergy and Gigieffe emerged from years of natural selection in which the two companies benefited from each other’s professionalism and experience.

Q: Where did you first test the system at a marina? How long did it take and have you made many changes since?

A: After several months of system tests on some private berths, the first important project at a marina was in Darsena le Saline in Chioggia where we digitalised all service access to over 150 pedestals. Darsena le Saline is a long-standing satisfied Gigieffe customer who has always been very sensitive to functional improvements and innovations in marina solutions.

The first phase was obviously to make the system work, and this took almost 90 days to get up and running, including hardware installation, primary configuration and software customisation, and then integration with the existing and external infrastructure.

CloudEnergy and Gigieffe listen every day to customer needs and are continuously improving the system; the core of CloudEnergy is a cloud-based software solution so, by definition, it’s always evolving and all the improvements and new features are available to customers.

Recent improvements have been made to preventive and automatic maintenance, reports on any failures or waste of resources, sensors for boats etc.

Q: How did the collaboration with Gigieffe develop?

A: Simply put, CloudEnergy and Gigieffe started their collaboration with the limited aim of pedestal management (control/report of consumption, activation/deactivation of sockets etc). Day by day we transformed the pedestals to become a real technological hub to manage and integrate all marina services to meet current and even future needs.

Q: Is it possible to retrofit old pedestals with CloudEnergy?

A: Gigieffe and CloudEnergy always work together to offer each customer the best solution. The possibility of revamping is always evaluated and possible when the systems have the necessary characteristics. We discuss with the customer and we can apply the upgrade using a dedicated kit.

But there are many advantages for new smart pedestals with Cloud control, both for managers and end customers. The need to optimise time and cost is increasingly important. And let’s not forget that digitalisation also enjoys a ‘political push’ with incentives and financing.

Q: What is the procedure if a boat owner/customer doesn’t have a smart phone?

A: The CloudEnergy solution doesn’t cut out users who prefer traditional systems. The procedure is still simple and fast compared to the past. Nothing changes for the customer. As before, he contacts the marina manager, requests the services and the pedestals are immediately available. At the same time, thanks to CloudEnergy, the manager can give the customer a much faster service than before by being able to immediately locate the pedestal and the plug, activating it remotely and billing the consumption directly into the

The CloudEnergy management system brings all elements of marina operation into a single technological hub.

marina’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

We also provide marinas with some touch screen digital totems to provide independent access to the CloudEnergy app, even for users who don’t want to access the app from their smart phone. This gives added advantages without reducing flexibility.

Q: How do you see intelligent marina management systems developing and how are you ‘future-proofing’ CloudEnergy?

A: The financial outlook for tourism businesses, such as marinas and campsites, is constantly improving. Governments and companies in the nautical sector, not only in Europe, are making significant investments in sustainability and pushing for digitalisation.

This is an important basis for saying that smart marinas are not just the future but a current reality. Not only do they deliver a more functional and easy-to-use system, but they are a real response to customer demands and provide a real solution for saving resources.

Our work today mainly consists of making marina managers perceive the added value of a modern and controlled system.

We made a strategic choice, i.e. to put all the core of the CloudEnergy system in the cloud, making all the software open to easy integration with external services. A marina deciding to buy new pedestal infrastructure is making a long term investment (usually over ten to 15 years) and, as no one can imagine what changes will take place over such a long period, the best way to ensure the infrastructure is always up to date – even able to meet future customer needs – is to choose a real cloud-based solution. This is open to being integrated with all external services that could be part of the market in coming years. That’s why we see the pedestal as a technological hub.

Providing our customers with support seven days a week and happily listening to customer needs is the swiftest way to evolve our solution and be up-to-date with market innovations.

Continuing success in Middle East

The first half of 2024 delivered remarkable successes for Italian company Plus Marine in Saudi Arabia, marking significant achievements across key projects. One of the standout accomplishments was the design and supply of pedestals for Sindallah Marina, a vital component in the ambitious Neom project.

Plus Marine, in collaboration with the renowned Luca Dini design studio, delivered a custom-engineered power pedestal (above) that perfectly aligns with Neom’s visionary motto “things you’ve never seen before”. The pedestals feature cutting-edge consumption control systems and integrated connectors for the internet and television.

The company also equipped Sindallah Marina with advanced electric boat chargers, including three AC chargers inspired by Luca Dini’s design and two DC fast charge pedestals, which are maintained at an optimal 40°C thanks to Webasto’s pioneering watercooling technology.

Another noteworthy project for Plus Marine is the Jeddah Central Development, where the company supplied chargers with capacities of up to 1,200 amps, capable of serving 475 boats up to 70m (230ft) in length. Plus is currently producing 19 fast chargers of 150kW capacity for the development.

Red Sea Global also entrusted the company with the supply of critical infrastructure by ordering water and electricity pedestals for various islands, and yet another high profile Saudi project, Triple Bay – Amaala, has recently contracted Plus Marine to provide power pedestals with outlets up to 1,200 amps. www.plusmarine.com

Redefining marina safety and connectivity

VoltSafe Marine shore power pedestals are setting a new precedent for unparalleled safety and connectivity on the docks for marina operators and boaters alike. Featuring awardwinning hardware and software, the innovative solution utilises magnetic hardware connectors, eliminating the need for prongs and live recessed metal contacts which are prone to corrosion. The magnets, along with a unique electrical fingerprint, ensure a safer and more reliable connection.

The system is complemented by an integrated feature-rich software management platform, allowing marinas to control power at the slips. It detects current leakage, has a built-in ELCI breaker, and receives alerts about safety concerns on the docks. In addition, it features power metering, level-2 EV charging and automated utility billing. And, by saving time, energy and money, it lightens the load on the task-heavy job of the marina operator.

Currently available in a 30A set-up, with a 50A on the near horizon, the pedestals offer a versatile system that is poised to vastly improve electrical safety and efficiency for marinas in North America. Solutions for European markets will also be available very soon.

Traditional marine electrical power pedestals often pose problems due to recessed contacts that can hide corrosion, a significant cause of marina and boat fires. These pedestals require regular maintenance and manual monitoring, which is both inefficient and costly. The inherent risk of mixing water and electricity inspired VoltSafe Marine to create a safer connection method for maritime environments.

VoltSafe’s achievements have been recognised internationally, with its shore power system earning prestigious awards including a 2023 IBEX Innovation Award for Boatyard & Marina Hardware & Software and a Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovation Award. www.voltsafemarine.com

• Development surveys

• M&E designs

• Branding

• Installation & project management

• Expert aftersales support

• Aiding sustainability goals

Let’s discuss your next development today!

• Comprehensive product range

• Emergency equipment

• Sanitation pump-outs

• Superyacht services

• E-boat & EV chargepoints

• Smart metering

DOCKSIDE UTILITIES

Fast charge in Brittany

The port of Saint-Cast in Brittany, France has joined the Aqua superPower network by adding an Aqua 75 DC marine fast charge station. The new service meets the growing demand for fast, reliable and safe charging, supporting the port’s push towards sustainable maritime mobility and its efforts in line with the Active Clean Port in Biodiversity certification.

Saint-Cast, which is managed by CCI Côtes d’Armor, inaugurated the fast charge station to coincide with the arrival of the prestigious Tour Voile sailing regatta, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and accelerating the transition to zero emissions.

Strategically positioned on the Brittany coast and the English Channel, Saint-Cast is renowned for its top-notch facilities and dynamic nautical sector, driving the blue economy. As host of the Tour Voile, it is at the forefront of marine sustainability, dedicated to revitalising and protecting the environment. The new station is aimed at service boats, fishing boats, electric boat clubs, training boats in sailing clubs and support boats for racing events.

Port director, Virginie Raimbeaux, said: “We are proud to present the Aqua 75 fast charging station in Saint-Cast, an important step towards sustainable boating and environmental management. This facility not only strengthens our port’s capabilities but also aligns with our commitment to reducing carbon footprint and promoting clean energy solutions in marine operations.”

Installed and serviced by Aqua superPower, the Aqua 75kW charge station features twin CCS2 connectors, allowing two electric boats to recharge in just 20 to 40 minutes. Accessible through the Aqua app, available on any device, the station offers a seamless user experience for electric boat owners. www.aqua-superpower.com

Preparing for electric boat charging

As the boating industry moves more and more towards electrification, marinas face the new challenge of providing reliable charging infrastructure. Marina utilities expert Seijsener is at the forefront of the new wave, delivering infrastructure that is not only cutting-edge but site-specific.

Seijsener’s electric boat charging stations are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment while delivering top-tier performance. With various models and designs, including the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic stations, a solution is available for every type of marina. Features include: weatherproof and corrosion-resistant construction, ensuring longevity in various environments; possible integration with mobile charging applications; and scalable designs to accommodate various boat sizes and power requirements.

The company continuously improves its stations through close collaboration with marina owners and boat enthusiasts, and this partnership approach ensures that its solutions evolve in tandem with realworld needs and challenges.

When it comes to selecting the new infrastructure, Seijsener offers a comprehensive service to marinas. This includes: expert consultation and site planning; seamless installation and integration with existing systems; and ongoing support and maintenance to ensure uninterrupted service.

Choosing the right partner for electric boat infrastructure is crucial for marinas looking to futureproof their facilities. Seijsener has already helped numerous marinas across Europe prepare for the electric boating revolution. www.seijsener.com

Repowering inland marinas

Dockside utilities and electric charge specialist Rolec has completed a flurry of recent contracts in diverse inland waterways environments in the UK.

No one needs an introduction to Chelsea Harbour, an urban oasis in west London on the River Thames, but even famous and luxurious maritime sites need a refresh. Working in partnership with its long-standing partner Power Portal, Rolec installed bespoke Quantum service pedestals, fully equipped with LED lighting and the BerthMaster smart service management and operating system.

Roydon Marina Village (above), a lakeside holiday retreat in Essex that offers moorings for vessels up to 21m (70ft), lodges and residential park homes, is an award-winning green space with a 315-berth marina. Owners Lakeland Leisure Estate, which has enjoyed a working partnership with Rolec for over 30 years, is undertaking a two-phase expansion at Roydon.

Phase one, which completed in March, involved the supply of Quantum service pedestals, a Smart Card metering system and a substantial addition of EV charging infrastructure for marina staff and guests.

Roydon Village Marina is well equipped to host motorboats, as is Aquavista’s Brinklow Waterside & Marina on the Oxford Canal in Warwickshire. The latter is pioneering ‘electrification’ by installing a fast boat charger and hosting an electric boat event. “We’re delighted that Rolec

chose to support Brinklow Waterside & Marina with the installation of a fast boat charger, and just in time for the inaugural Electrika Boat Show, where some 19 electric narrowboats made full use!” said marina manager Dave Trivett. “Aquavista are dedicated to supporting pioneers in sustainable boating and hope that, with increasing uptake of new technologies, we will be delivering infrastructure to enable this at more of our 29 marinas with support from the fantastic team at Rolec in the near future.”

Brinklow Marina has a new, customer branded, Quantum charger with two sockets (up to four are available). It has LED amenity lighting and is enclosed by mirrors, seamlessly blending into its surrounding environment.

Last, but far from least, is work on an ongoing project at Sawley Marina on the River Trent near Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire. Covering 23 acres (9.3ha), Sawley – another Aquavista facility – is the largest inland marina in the UK and enjoys a good mix of tranquil, green space and excellent connections. Rolec is currently upgrading all the marina pedestals to include LED amenity lighting, and integrating new electric boat charging facilities. www.rolecserv.com

Transparent billing and control

The rising cost of energy impacts both marina operators and berth holders. This high operational cost makes accurate billing crucial for marina profitability and customer satisfaction as customers scrutinise their payments more closely than ever and marinas need to ensure they know who uses every kilowatt.

Smarter Technologies’ smart dockside pedestals allow berth holders to remotely monitor consumption in real time and receive accurate reports on customisable time periods, creating a connected hub for smart marina management.

Berth holders’ energy expenses can accrue quickly depending on the size of their craft and the equipment used, and they want assurance that on-board equipment is running and batteries are being charged without unexpected costs. Smart dockside utilities pedestals provide user-friendly functionality and users can scan a QR code to download

the SmarterView app, allowing them to control their electricity, view real-time consumption and costs, and generate individual consumption reports based on actual usage.

As high costs can mount quickly, especially with larger vessels and energy-intensive equipment, accurate re-billing is essential. Smart dockside pedestals eliminate the need for manual processes and ensure billing is based on actual, accurate consumption, providing peace of mind that energy costs are billed correctly.

Real-time data also allows for intelligent monitoring and alerting throughout the entire estate on the same real-time IoT platform, Orion. www.smartertechnologies.com

MARKET SNAPSHOT: JAPAN

Driving growth in superyacht cruising

At the recent Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) conference in Singapore, Kenta Inaba, GMBA Japan and partner at Super Yacht Logistics (SYL) Japan, gave an insightful update on the Japanese superyacht sector, underscoring the fact that Japan, with its vast coastlines and abundant maritime resources, is becoming a prime destination for very large yachts. can be found everywhere, from shrines and temples to castles and traditional fishing ports.

Japan has often been referred to as an Ocean State. Being surrounded by water, its coastline stretches more than 35,000km (22,000 mi) and no point in Japan is more than 150km (93 mi) from the sea. The availability of infrastructure (ports, airports, train stations and shipyards) is extensive throughout the country making travel easy and very accessible.

Kenta Inaba believes Japan has great allure as a cruising destination and he emphasises that being able to cruise in Japan all year round is an attractive aspect for superyacht owners. The country has also become an increasingly popular tourist destination, known for its unique blend of traditional culture and modern innovation. From exploring the stunning coastline to indulging in the country’s incredible cuisine and experiencing its diverse natural beauty, Japan offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences for superyacht owners and guests. The manifestations of Japanese culture

Kenta is enthusiastic about the significant steps the Japanese Government has taken to make visiting superyachts feel welcome. “The government has eased regulations on immigration, customs and quarantine for foreign-flagged vessels and provided services and dockage for superyachts of any size,” he said. “It is also planning to upgrade ports to accommodate additional superyacht berths, reflecting its commitment to supporting the industry. Whilst currently Japan can accommodate visiting superyachts, like every developing industry we need to keep up with the appropriate infrastructure for the bigger yachts.”

Japanese Government rules have been overhauled for foreign registered superyachts. This has brought significant changes for the superyacht industry, removing some of the red

tape and bureaucracy, and putting Japan on a level playing field with many other superyacht destinations. Three key changes have been made: introduction of a Naikosen type of cruising permit; no time limit for a superyacht stay and cruise; and introduction of an ‘eligible crew pass’ that only expires if the crew member flies out of Japan or leaves in the yacht. These three major changes have opened the doors for growth in the Japanese superyacht sector. Superyacht owners are increasingly being drawn to Japan, as evidenced by the extended stay of one yacht that planned for three weeks but cruised 61 ports and stayed for over seven months. The availability of extensive infrastructure further enhances the appeal, and this is having positive affect with regard to other vessels, too. “The profile of the industry in Japan is changing,” Kenta noted. “Whilst small boat ownership has declined, we are seeing growth in the number of motor vessels owned in the 20-30m (55-98ft) range.”

The charter market presents an obvious opportunity to drive growth in the superyacht sector and this must certainly be on the government’s horizon. It has already granted permission to all the main cruise lines to establish a cruising presence, and they are all offering extensive itineraries. Studies have shown that one superyacht with 12 guests will spend more in a local community than a large cruise ship with its allinclusive onboard packages. Also, a cruise ship buys provisions in main centres and from corporate wholesalers

Kenta Inaba

MARKET SNAPSHOT: JAPAN

Kenta Inaba: “The profile of the industry in Japan is changing. Whilst small boat ownership has declined, we are seeing growth in the number of motor vessels owned in the 20-30m (55-98ft) range.

whereas a superyacht provisions in local communities as it cruises around the coastline. Once governments fully understand the real economic value of superyachts, plus the many positive flow-on effects to local communities along their cruising coastline, they understand the importance of reviewing their charter regulations.

There are many examples the Japanese Government can explore that highlight the benefits of a thriving charter sector once regulations are changed. In New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tahiti, for example, where – after considerable lobbying from industry – the governments opened up the opportunity for foreign flagged vessels to charter, private investment in infrastructure to service these vessels significantly increased. The yachts have financially supported many small businesses in local coastline communities through their provisioning

spend and maintenance requirements, and they have contributed substantial revenue to the economy and created significant job opportunities.

“Captains and owners want a significant comfort level when cruising in new territories,” Kenta said. “It is

important that visiting superyachts are confident they will receive support in managing the regulatory process, are able to be provisioned with their specific requirements, and are provided with tailored itineraries that align with the owners’ preferences.”

• Dry stack marinas are evolving with new hurricane resistant designs.

• Luxury amenities and versatile mixed-use spaces are being integrated.

• Automated Storage And Retrieval technologies greatly improve ROI.

• Capitalize on the ability to add income generating mixed-use spaces.

• The value and sustainability of water front real estate is optimized. Contact GCM to turn your vision into a luxury destination property!

For over 35 years, Den Hartog Industries in Hospers, Iowa has elevated the quality of foam- lled oat drums, setting the industry standards and is a leader in the marine industry on quality, durability and longevity. Visit www.ace oatdrums.com for a variety of product sizes, speci cations with bouyancy and technical information.

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

Bellingham Marine

Bellingham Marine is a worldwide marina and waterfront construction company. With manufacturing facilities around the globe, the company is an industry leader in custom floating dock systems, platforms and wave attenuators.

Over 65 years of experience and many millions of square feet of floating systems worldwide have contributed to Bellingham Marine’s invaluable knowledge about what works best. The company’s award-winning portfolio is built on a foundation of proven construction methods, cutting-edge materials, and a dedication to value engineering.

With a fully integrated service model

Bluewater Marine & Dock Specialties

built on a design/build methodology, clients benefit from a highly efficient, lowrisk approach to their projects. Bellingham offers a range of services designed to help you build the marina of your dreams from start to finish. As a world leader in single-

source marine contracting, Bellingham Marine is your gateway to the water’s edge.

See advertisements p.7 & 71

Established in 1997, Bluewater Marine and Dock Specialities is one of the premier dock manufacturers in the Pacific basin and beyond, specialising in the design, fabrication and installation of aluminium floating dock systems, fixed piers and gangways. Commercial dock system installations range from large scale marinas to small facilities.

The company’s low maintenance, flexible, modular designs include custom proprietary aluminium extrusions, stainless steel hardware and other recyclable materials. All products are fully engineered by an experienced team of licensed civil and structural engineers, are ADA compliant (where applicable) and are designed to meet site-specific environmental conditions.

All Bluewater Marine dock systems are fabricated in-house and shipped to site ready for installation.

In 2001, the company built and installed 120 boat slips at the Waikiki Yacht Club. This project was the first aluminium floating dock system ever installed in the state of Hawaii.

Following this success, Bluewater went on to develop a portfolio of innovative

Bluewater Marine Systems

Bluewater Marine Systems, LLC, is proud to announce the successful completion and delivery of its state-of-the-art MonoDock concrete floating dock system to the US Army Corp of Engineers managed Lock 27, located on the Lower Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. The milestone underscores Bluewater Marine Systems’ commitment to engineering excellence and innovation, contributing to the enhancement of one of the nation’s critical waterways.

Contracted by Tiger Docks of Wright City, Missouri, Bluewater Marine Systems supplied the concrete floating portion of the new docks at Lock 27. The project features unique and advanced commercial design elements, including internal pile guides and integrated pile guides - corner brackets. This heavy-duty, commercialstrength system has been specifically engineered for Lock and Dam 27, the

projects throughout Hawaii, California, Micronesia, the Philippines and beyond, and now – with fabrication facilities in Hawaii, California and North Carolina –it implements projects globally.

See advertisement p.64

southernmost lock and dam on the Mississippi River and the only one located south of the confluence with the Missouri River.

As the busiest lock and dam on the Mississipi, handling more cargo than any other, Lock and Dam 27 requires reliable infrastructure. The Bluewater Monodock will rise an average of 15 feet (4.6m) in the lock, ensuring dependable performance in this critical setting. See advertisement p.58

Ferguson’s Boatshed Marina, NSW, Australia.

Portside Ventura Marina, Ventura, CA, USA

Mark Merton Photography

Lock 27, Granite City, Illinois, USA

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

CJ Plast/Twinwood

CJ Plast remains at the forefront of decking technology with its Twinwood brand. Manufacturing in-house moulds/dies for customised deck profiles, the company offers customers a competitive and diversified range of solutions and geometries both in boards and bumpers.

Products have been developed specifically for pontoons and marinas and are supplied cut-to-size. Of high quality and with exceptional resistance, the decking enables pontoon and marina manufacturers all over the world to offer a unique deck installation both for new projects and refurbishments.

In 2021, a new glass fibre reinforced Twinwood product was introduced, along with a revolutionary clip-installation concept. This

Dura Composites

Dura Composites is committed to working in partnership with you to drive sustainable transformation in the marine sectors using the industry’s only fully recyclable and low embodied carbon GRP walkway solutions.

At the core of Dura’s offering is the d² product range, which is distinguished by its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This makes it an ideal choice for constructing vital marine infrastructure such as pontoons, gangways, jetties and walkways, where minimising weight is paramount.

Dura Composites’ flagship product is d² GRP Dura Grating, a resilient alternative to traditional wooden marina decking. Engineered to withstand the

Golden Manufacturing

groundbreaking clipping and structuring system reduces installation time and makes it easier even for nonprofessionals. The concept can also be applied to terraces, porches, verandas etc.

The GRP decking enables installers to extend the space between joists up to 50cm without the risk of bending

rigours of marine environments, it boasts remarkable resistance to a diverse array of chemicals. This not only fortifies walkways in marinas, harbours and docks against chemical deterioration, but also extends their operational lifespan significantly.

or warping thus saving both time and material. See advertisements p.20 & 32

p.62

Golden Boat Lifts and Marine Systems revolutionises marine infrastructure with cutting-edge solutions tailored for marinas. With over three decades of experience, the company leads in providing high-quality, reliable and efficient products designed to meet marina needs. Its innovative offerings enhance marina functionality and safety, making them user-friendly.

A standout product is the Golden aluminium floating dock system, favoured for its exceptional stability and durability. Designed to withstand daily use and harsh marine environments, including hurricanes, these docks feature patented resilience-enhancing elements. The dock systems are easy to install and adapt, and are perfect for marina expansions or upgrades. Golden Boat Lifts also offers numerous

types of customisable boat lifts, protective canopies and advanced dock lighting systems.

Committed to tailored products and services, Golden Boat Lifts collaborates closely with marina operators to develop superior solutions that maximise efficiency and safety while minimising costs. A customer-focused approach and dedication to quality and innovation have earned Golden

a trusted reputation in the marina industry. By providing durable, reliable and innovative marine infrastructure solutions, Golden Boat Lifts helps marinas thrive, offering patrons an exceptional waterfront experience.

See advertisement p.12 & 13

Caption

Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Bentley Bay Marina, Miami, FL, USA.

Evoke

Studio

Marina Ocean Reef, Pontevedra, Spain

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

Ingemar

Ingemar has over 45 years of experience in marine engineering and in the development of concrete floating structures. It is one of few companies in the sector to have its own independent production facilities, enabling it to carry out R&D in anticipation of market demands. The company is committed to quality, with ISO 9001 certification and SOA certification for public works up to €15.5 million.

The Ingemar product range includes modular all-concrete pontoons, discontinuous floating pontoons with galvanised steel or aluminium frames, hardwood decking and fibre reinforced concrete or roto-moulded polyethylene floats. It also offers fixed piers and a complete range of high quality concrete floating breakwaters

International Marine Floatation Systems

up to 20 × 10 × 2.4m and 185t displacement. Some of these are constructed using mobile production sites.

Ingemar know-how covers water sports floating facilities, floating platforms and bridges, and heavy-duty mooring structures for megayachts,

Since 1983, IMFS has been a global leader in building innovative floating concrete structures that give people the opportunity to live, work and play on the surface of the water. The company maintains the highest level of quality with customer service, and honours this commitment to past and present customers.

IMFS designs, engineers and manufactures concrete floating structures that take a project from initial conceptual design to final installation and has over 40 years of experience with such projects. The company has built marinas, wave attenuators, floating homes, yacht enclosures and large commercial floating buildings. A licensing programme enables IMFS to work with people and projects

Kropf Industrial

all over the world, bringing its expertise and years of waterfront experience directly to each market. IMFS floats are manufactured of structurally reinforced concrete according to engineer’s load requirements for wind, wave and snow in specific locations. Full sections are

Since starting out as a custom fabrication shop in 1977, Kropf Industrial has grown to become one of the premier suppliers of floating dock and breakwater systems in Canada. Kropf offers a range of advanced floating dock designs and its floating breakwater systems have been extensively tested and proven through both modelling and real-world applications.

Kropf steel pipe floating dock systems offer unmatched stability and strength in high-energy sites, especially where winter ice is a factor. Finished in a variety of materials depending on your requirements, the docks will provide extended service life and low maintenance in real-world conditions. HDPE pipe floats are also available,

commercial and naval vessels. It operates from production facilities in Casale sul Sile near Venice, Italy and serves the markets in Italy, the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Gulf.

See advertisement p.10

monolithically cast to meet customer requirements.

See advertisement p.36

backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and providing a heavy duty design that is superior to traditional plastic box floats.

Kropf’s floating breakwater systems utilise full-length steel pipe floats and a range of steel attenuation structures, depending on site conditions. Available

with or without decking and fingers, the breakwaters are proven to provide superb basin protection and extended service life in harsh northern conditions.

See advertisement p.16

Dubai Harbour, UAE

Boat Harbour Marina, near Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Credit Village Marina, Mississauga, Canada

GH70e, OUR FIRST 65T ELECTRIC GANTRY CRANE, LOCATED IN THE PORT OF BERMEO (SPAIN).

- Easy recharging and guaranteed autonomy for a full working day, thanks to the high-performance lithium-ion battery core.

- Incorporation of an autonomous solar panel support system, which provides up to 20% of the daily energy used.

- Optimization of the docking area thanks to the variable span, allowing to adjust the boat hoist to the beams of the different boats.

motion@ghcranes.com www.motion.ghcranes.com

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

Lindley Marinas

Lindley Marinas, headquartered in Lisbon and established in 1930, is a leading southern European pontoon manufacturer. With 40 years of specialised experience in the pontoon sector, Lindley has successfully designed, manufactured and installed over 75,000m of floating solutions.

The company’s dedicated in-house engineering team, extensive installation expertise, and network of reliable partners ensure that every project is executed with excellence. Lindley’s comprehensive product range includes reinforced concrete, rotomoulded PE, aluminium and galvanised steel options, allowing for tailored solutions to meet diverse product requirements.

Over the last two years, two major contracts were awarded and are

Livart Marine

under construction with Lindley Marinas’ solutions: Marina Jandia (Spain) using aluminium structures and Marina Vilamoura (Portugal) using reinforced concrete pontoons and fingers. Engaged in projects worldwide, Lindley Marinas is actively involved in significant initiatives in Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East,

Founded in 2008, Livart Marine provides premium marina solutions to customers worldwide. Systems are designed by a team of marine engineering experts and manufactured in high-tech factories in Guangdong, China. Livart has its own network of branch offices and subsidiaries in capital cities around the world to ensure high quality, swift and direct service.

Livart has delivered over 300 marina systems worldwide. The product line includes concrete and aluminium pontoons, aluminium or SS316 access gangways with anti-slip decking, as well as Livart-Astra floating breakwaters.

The company’s experienced structural engineers and designers can customise modular bridges and pontoon systems to suit precise requirements irrespective of geographic

Marine Structures

or environmental challenges.

consistently delivering superior quality and innovation to its clients.

See advertisement p.47

Livart prides itself on owning the biggest floating pontoon manufacturing facilities in Asia and being a one-stop customer-focused centre offering a service from proposal stage to final project delivery.

With over 70 years combined experience, Superior Jetties and The Jetty Specialist have merged to become Australia’s largest pontoon builder, Marine Structures. Combining innovation, best-practice design, robust materials and cuttingedge manufacturing, all structures are designed for low maintenance, unparalleled durability and built to withstand the test of time in harsh marine environments.

With rich global product knowledge and impressive credentials in marina design and construction worldwide, the team of experts at Marine Structures will create a tailored solution to suit any requirements.

An enviable product range, from the heavy-duty concrete Mega Elite system, designed for superyacht berths

and large-scale marinas, through to the stylish and versatile Superior Modular Docks, the large offering can be tailored to suit any location globally.

A market leader in marine construction, Marine Structures will inspire confidence and offer value to stakeholders by producing products of enduring quality that require minimal

maintenance and deliver unmatched long-term value. These innovative solutions are designed to address evolving customer needs and market trends.

A commitment to quality in everything is a genuine promise when partnering with Marine Structures.

See advertisement p.52

Marina Jandia (under construction), Fuerteventura, Spain

Heavy duty concrete pontoons in build, Abu Dhabi Island marina, UAE

Mackay Marina, Mackay, Australia

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

Marinetek

Marinetek is an internationally recognised brand name for premium marinas and advanced floating solutions. Claiming the industry’s widest product range, and with a network of marina experts around the world, Marinetek can match different customer needs from a custom-made floating structure to a worldclass marina.

The company offers world-famous concrete pontoons, breakwaters, advanced floating solutions and marina equipment. Through collaborative partnerships, Marinetek provides its customers with turnkey services for concept design, engineering, manufacturing, installation and modernisation.

It’s not just about size or volume.

Martini Marinas

By listening to customers’ needs and learning about their culture and values, the Marinetek team establishes relationships that last a lifetime. Ultimately, Marinetek’s aim is to develop winning solutions for its customers and to keep its promises.

Operating in more than 45 countries

Martini Alfredo has a history of industrial excellence, innovation and expertise which goes back over 75 years. It is a market leader in the plastic industrial containers sector and its Marinas Division is a well-established manufacturer of infrastructure and mooring equipment.

Martini Marinas produces a full range of hot dip galvanised steel-framed floating pontoons fitted with ecological moulded floats. They are easy to assemble and require little ongoing maintenance. Access gangways, adjustable fingers, floating breakwaters, mooring systems, service pedestals and all main marina accessories complete the catalogue.

A focus on environmental issues is

Perspective Products

and manufacturing in nine countries, Marinetek has delivered more than 2,500 marina references to over 50 countries worldwide.

See advertisement p.4

integral to the company’s culture and it was the first in Europe to replace teak timber with extremely durable and eco-friendly Similteck for the decking of pontoons, fingers and gangways.

To date, Martini Marinas has installed over 2,000 facilities at coastal, lake and

Perspective Products is the parent company of long-lasting and durable Sure-Step decking. Sure-Step is a high quality and maintenance-free polypropylene decking system that has been engineered for outdoor space on and off the water. The high impact material is claimed to exceed competition and is maintenance-free.

If you are worried about storm surges on your pier, Sure-Step’s slotted surface helps minimise the waves and rising water levels. Its light penetration surface is a perfect choice for marine and other environmentally sensitive areas like protected nature areas or beaches. Additional features include an antislip surface for worry-free walking and playing, and the use of premium materials that withstand the elements

and maintain their beauty even in the harshest of environments. Versatile options are available to match specific styles and complement waterfront settings and the low maintenance requirement means you can spend more time enjoying your waterfront paradise.

river marinas both in Italy and abroad. It prioritises safety and technology and was one of the first in the sector to achieve ISO 9001 certification.

See advertisement p.32

Decking project Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA

Sure-Step decking offers safety, durability and aesthetics and is suitable

for decks, marinas, walkways, docks, gangways, and more.

See advertisement p.52

The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Brissago Marina, Locarno, Switzerland

Represented in over 40 countries www.

Takingthe toGreenapproach the VacuumproblemBlackwater seweragesystems are ideal for use in marinas Theandportsofanysize.

fromFlovacsystemcancapturesewageandbilgewater Noboatsandallfacilitiesaroundthemarinacomplex. Validateselectricalpowerrequiredatdockside

No risk of water contamination

MARPOL certi cation

Suitableforboatsanddocksofanysize EaseDiscreet,smalldiameterpipework of installation No odour

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

Ronautica Quality Marinas

Ronautica Quality Marinas is a highly reputable and experienced Spanish manufacturer of concrete and aluminium marinas. Its systems are internationally recognised for quality, strong design, ease of maintenance and very competitive pricing. Systems are installed swiftly by Ronautica staff using its equipment.

Ronautica installed its first marina in its home city of Vigo in 1989 making it the first marina manufacturer in Spain and one of the pioneers in Europe. Since then, it has installed hundreds

SF Marina

of marinas worldwide and has a very strong presence in the USA, Central America, Ireland and Portugal. Company projects vary from the simple supply of structures to design, build and execution of complex and substantial projects on a turnkey basis anywhere in the world. In addition to marinas, the company has built systems for fishing harbours, sailing and rowing clubs, military and paramilitary organisations

and always adapts to its customers’ needs. To complement its floating pontoons, it supplies special platforms, breakwaters, fixed aluminium walkways and gangways.

See advertisement p.30

Breaking Waves since 1918. SF Marina is internationally recognised for providing its customers with a century of experience producing tailor-made premium marinas and advanced floating solutions all over the world.

SF Marina offers a full range of marine related services and has the in-house knowledge and experience to design, permit, manufacture, install and operate marinas. The company is a fully integrated corporation that understands the needs of the marina industry and can deliver the best marina products in the world to meet those needs. SF’s flagship product, its own-design Swedish floating concrete pontoon marina system, originated back in the 1920s.

Strongwell

SF Marina is based in Gothenburg, Sweden and has affiliates worldwide. The company is familiar with and has completed installations in climatic conditions ranging from north of the Arctic circle to the tropics. Operating in more than 50 countries, SF Marina has delivered

over 1,000 marina references worldwide.

See advertisement p.2

For over 60 years, US manufacturer Strongwell has produced fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite products for use in numerous industries. Most notable for marinas and docks, Strongwell manufactures pultruded and moulded grating, railing, structural shapes, decking and planking, and sheet and round pile.

FRP inherently resists rust, rot and corrosion, which makes it last much longer than wood. In some cases, FRP costs more initially but the labour savings via reduced maintenance and longer product lifespan more than offset the higher initial costs. The end result is a less costly, longer-lasting and more attractive installation.

Strongwell offers grating with antiskid surface options, including barefoot safe grit, varying open space for storm

surge water and light flowthrough, ADA compliance, varying thicknesses for a wide range of loads and spans, and custom integrated colours.

FRP sheet and round piles offer tremendous advantages over steel and have been used in the past decade in thousands of commercial, private and public sector projects with the US Army Corps of Engineers,

Duragrid I-4000 pultruded grating in Gulf Shores, AL, USA.

US Fish and Wildlife, US Navy and municipalities.

See advertisement p.44

Marina Flamingo, Costa Rica

Hinsholmen Marina, Gothenburg, Sweden

A-Z GUIDE TO PONTOON & DECKING MANUFACTURERS

SunWalk Decking

SunWalk is the environmentally friendly, storm-resistant, UVstabilised, non-slip decking choice for docks, ramps, gangways and jetties. The company brings an impressive variety of technologies and surface options to the dock and decking market.

At the heart of all SunWalk products is a proprietary micro-cellular-core manufacturing technology that provides industry-leading strength and structure. Its ability to withstand the rigours of weather, temperature, surf and UV is unparalleled and it has been thirdparty laboratory tested for accelerated weathering so you can have faith in its long-term performance.

Decking is available is three distinct styles, multiple colours and multiple

Titan Deck

sizes meaning SunWalk has the right decking product for your applications.

The company boasts a highperformance commercial team that combine market experience with application know-how. They are able to help your business and save you money, and can work to help new designs reach the market faster.

Titan Deck provides premium marine decking designed for exceptional durability and performance. Made from 100% polypropylene, Titan Deck resists fading, warping, cracking and splitting, ensuring long lasting use in any marine environment.

Featuring UV protection, Titan Deck remains cool and comfortable for barefoot use, even in extreme temperatures. Engineered to withstand saltwater, high winds and storm surges, Titan Deck is ideal for docks, piers and marinas. It offers slip-resistant surfaces and comes in two designs, Titan Classic and Titan X-, and two colour options – tan and grey.

The newest and strongest board, Titan Open Classic, has a dual colour design with tan and grey sides as two

Walcon Marine

boards are welded together to create durability that the marine decking industry has never seen before.

advertisements p.38 & 50

Easy to install and low maintenance, Titan Deck is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Trusted by marinas worldwide, Titan Deck delivers reliable and stylish decking solutions that stand up to the

Walcon Marine is a UK-based company that specialises in the design, build, installation and maintenance of berthing facilities. Its pontoon product range caters for all requirements from recreational marinas for craft ranging in size from a few metres up to superyachts, to berths designed for commercial vessels such as fishing boats, crew transport vessels, lifeboats and law enforcement patrol boats.

Walcon also works with many smaller clients including local harbour authorities, sailing clubs and private individuals, and each project is treated with the same attention to detail to ensure that the end result gives decades of satisfaction.

The company prides itself on supplying durable products. Its output is designed to last for many years

with support and maintenance just a phone call away. Custom products can also be supplied to meet specific demands including increased stability, bespoke decking materials and the inclusion of client branding.

harshest marine conditions, ensuring your investment remains worry free for years to come.

See advertisement p.68

Over the past 60 years, Walcon Marine has supplied its equipment to customers across a wide variety

of countries and regions including Australia, Egypt, the USA, the Caribbean, the Netherlands, Italy and the Middle East, as well as the UK and Ireland.

See advertisement p.24

Torquay Marina, Devon, UK

Sunwalk 90-Series decking, Quebec, Canada

Lake Vermillion, Tower, MN, USA.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Showcasing industry innovations

The Marinas24 event, held in Australia in May, featured an Innovation Showcase that introduced five new products or services to the market. Each was introduced via a seven-minute presentation where developers, all vying to win the Best Industry Innovation Award, outlined unique benefits to the industry. The showcase session chairman, Phil Wardale, the current secretary of the New Zealand Marina Industries Association (NZMOA), said: “It was a brilliant session, really highlighting the strength and ingenuity of the industry.”

All five innovations came to the showcase from different parts of the industry. The Marine Industry Association’s (MIA’s) first CleanTech Partner, The Searial Cleaners (part of Poralu Marine), showcased its InvisiBubble, a bubble curtain that controls floating waste and silt. The InvisiBubble curtain purifies the water, redirects debris and sediment, contains the spread of hydrocarbons and protects surrounding wildlife. It also traps floating and submerged waste (whether organic or synthetic) measuring just 2mm, diverting or re-routing it to a collection point or containing it within a specific area.

Sandmap, a company founded in Queensland by spatial and engineering professionals Rod Tansley and Sean McCagh, showcased its hydrographic surveying system. This utilises small craft that are easily able to manoeuvre into small spaces within a marina facility without the need for extensive boat movements or disruptions to busy

facilities. The innovation incorporates swath bathymetry and is destined to be a big step forward for facilities looking to obtain a better understanding of their depth restrictions.

SET Maritime & Electrical, owned by Mark Smith – a 40-year industry veteran in marine surveying and electrical engineering – introduced Eshore, a polarity monitoring device. Eshore enables a Functional Earthing (FE) circuit to make a momentary connection to check polarity, and allows for the interlocking contactor to allow for supply to the vessel. The polarity of shore connections is often unknown to vessel owners and this can create lengthy delays or a need for further electrical contractors. Eshore quickly and effectively solves the issue and ensures that a vessel’s electrical safety devices remain effective.

Claudio Carlon of Cimolai Technologies delivered something completely different by showcasing Marina Punta Gabbiani’s ingenious dry, land-based marina berths. The design sees land-based raised marina berths for vessels on trailers and cradles that allow owners to safely access their vessels without ladders or temporary structures. A near-silent Cimolai electric straddle carrier takes vessels from land-based berths to the water for regular boating.

Rounding out the session was an innovation from Australian company ROVing Intelligence. ROVing Intelligence, established just three years ago, brings AI together with submersible technology to give marina owners an accurate assessment of their underwater infrastructure. The process provides accurate 4000 PSI spot cleaning, ultrasonic thickness testing and cathode protection testing, as well as providing 3D imagery with a pinpoint station holding that can be repeated year after year to create a long term view of the real maintenance longevity of marine assets.

A live poll was taken from over 200 delegates, and The Searial Cleaners’ InvisiBubble won the day in a tightly contested result. Receiving his award, Antoine Repiton-Preneuf, Asia Pacific business development manager, commented: “The Searial Cleaners wants its products to contribute by becoming a driver of change. We want to develop tech solutions and use

them to combat marine pollution. The InvisiBubble is one of those solutions and a solution that also helps marina facilities to stay tidy and collect waste.”

Antoine Repiton-Preneuf (left) of The Searial Cleaners accepting the Best Innovation Award from NZMOA secretary Phil Wardale.

Concrete breakwater protects municipal marina

Gothenburg-based Grefab, the municipal owner and operator of eleven marinas in Sweden, turned to SF Marina for a new floating concrete breakwater to replace a timber palisade at its marina in Hinsholmen.

The decision was made after many years of deliberation, and was spurred on when a geotechnical survey revealed that traditional bottom-founded construction was not feasible. While not directly on Øresund Sound, Hinsholmen Marina is still exposed to winddriven waves and heavy wakes from passing high-speed ferries. Without protection, its fixed 1,550-slip wooden dock system would suffer damage and require constant repair.

The L-shaped 230m (754ft) x 5m (16ft) breakwater comprises 12 pontoons. Type SF1250 modules are used closest to the shore and extreme-duty SFBW500 units are installed to protect the docks from wave action. Both are secured with two internal 61cm (24in) steel piles. Designed to adapt to future expansion at the marina, they include integrated utility ducts for power and water. www.sfmarina.com

Boosting the AcqueraPro network

Eleven new ports and marinas have joined Acquera’s AcqueraPro exclusive service platform for captains and charter brokers since the beginning of the season, bringing the network to a total of 169 active locations.

Alvise Tositti, chief strategy officer at Venice-based Acquera commented: “The process is long and laborious but we are proud to be able to welcome these new incredible locations to our AcqueraPro platform. Reaching the largest number of captains and charter brokers, as well as the highest number of ports and marinas is the goal we have set for ourselves since the birth of AcqueraPro in 2022.”

AcqueraPro aims to support captains and charter brokers in their dayto-day duties, both on board and on land via a clear and simple interface.

The platform was developed through a continuous interchange between Acquera, captains and brokers to redefine the standards for services related to yachting by offering precise information in real time for the management of bureaucracy and port formalities and the planning of itineraries. With AcqueraPro, captains can check the rates for moorings and all the services offered at each location. The platform also facilitates customs procedures, supports the compilation of the necessary forms, and helps overcome bureaucratic obstacles of all kinds.

In addition to technical information, details are available on accessory services, such as drivers, helicopters, private planes and starred restaurants, with integrated booking functionality. AcqueraPro enables the user to explore a wide range of experiences in 169 ports and marinas in the Mediterranean, enriching the experience of customers while benefitting providers, and enhancing access to the area and local businesses. For charter brokers, the tool simplifies fleet management, optimises itinerary proposals and improves communication with yacht owners and their guests.

The new facilities in the network are: Ajaccio, Alghero, Bonifacio, Calvi, Santa Margherita Ligure, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sciacca, Porto Empedocle, Porto Vecchio, Cres and Vis. www.acquerayachting.com

Innovation comes in threes

Golden Boat Lifts has launched three new groundbreaking products: the Invisilift; Freestanding Lift; and Golden Float Lift.

Invisilift, as its name suggests, is designed to be virtually invisible when not in use so as to preserve the natural beauty of any waterfront property. Its robust construction and advanced technology ensure a smooth and reliable operation, providing boat owners with peace of mind and a sleek, unobtrusive solution for their lifting needs.

The new Freestanding Lift is claimed to offer unparalleled versatility and strength. Perfect for locations where traditional lift installations are not feasible, it is designed to support a

wide range of boat sizes and types. Its modular design allows for easy customisation and relocation, making it an ideal choice for both private docks and commercial marinas. The use of marine-grade construction materials guarantees durability and longevity in harsh marine environments.

Combining the convenience of floating docks with the security and stability of traditional boat lifts, the

Golden Float Lift is an innovative way for boaters to dock and store their vessels. Featuring a user-friendly design, the lift allows for effortless docking and retrieval of boats, reducing the risk of damage and making boating more enjoyable. Its adaptable structure can accommodate various water levels and boat sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for every boater’s needs.

www.goldenboatlifts.com

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Index to Advertisers

AMI Conference & Expo, USA 24

ASAR, USA 48

Applied Technology & Management, USA 20

Aqua superPower, UK 52

Bellingham Marine, USA 7 & 71

Bluet, Finland 54

Bluewater Marine & Dock Specialities, USA 64

Bluewater Marine Systems, USA 58

Boatlift, Italy 18

CBRE, USA 29

CJ Plast, France 32

Capria, Argentina 44

Christie & Co, UK 32

Conolift by Kropf Industrial, Canada 16

D-Marin, Greece 31

Den Hartog, USA 50

Dura Composites, UK 62

EMP Industries/Fast Attack, USA 58

EMP Industries/SaniSailor, USA 68

Eagle Floats by Hendren Plastics, USA 67

Edgewater Resources, USA 14

Flovac, Spain 60

Funchal Marina, Madeira 27

GH Cranes, Spain 56

Gigieffe, Italy 54

Golden Manufacturing, USA 12 & 13

IMFS, Canada 36

Ingemar, Italy 10

Inmare, Italy 62

Lindley, Portugal 47

Livart, China 62

MPP Engineering, UK 68

Marex, Croatia 44

Marina & Holiday Park Solutions, UK 56

Marina Master by IRM, Slovenia 54

Marina Projects, UK 72

MARINAGo by Scribble Software, USA 43

Marinetek, Finland 4

Martini Marinas, Italy 32

METSTRADE, Netherlands 22

Molo Marina Management/ Stellar Systems, USA 60

Monaco Yacht Club, Monaco 35

Perspective Products, USA 52

PierPump by Vogelsang, Germany 8

Plus Marine, Italy 38

Rolec, UK 41

Ronautica, Spain 30

Roodberg - a brand of Frisian Industries, Netherlands 69

SF Marina System, Sweden 2

Seaflex, Sweden 6

Seijsener, Netherlands 36

Smarter Technologies, UK 56

Strongwell, USA 44

Sunwalk, USA 38 & 50

Superior Group/ Marine Structures, Australia 52

Titan Deck, USA 68

Twinwood by CJ Plast, Portugal 20

WISE Handling, UK 58

Walcon Marine, UK 24

Wiggins Lift Co, USA 64

Charlotte Harbor upgrades with new Travelift

Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage in Port Charlotte, Florida has upgraded its boat handling operation with the delivery of a new Marine Travelift 35 BFMII (77,000lb/35,000kg capacity) boat hoist. The new machine replaces an older 35 ton unit, and offers the latest technology and innovations to best serve customers.

Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage is a family owned and operated storage yard which has been in business since 2000. The facility is a perfect hurricane hole for cruising vessels as it is located behind a self-operating lock, and the new boat hoist will offer customers added speed and efficiency when preparing for incoming storms.

“We target boat owners who want a safe and secure place to store their boats for hurricane season,” said Brady Pocklington, partner owner at Charlotte Harbor. “An added benefit to the yard is also allowing do-it-yourself access for boat owners,” he continued.

The Pocklington family bought the first Marine Travelift hoist two years after starting in the storage business. Although in operation at the yard for 22 years, the hoist was still in very good operating condition, but with

the market offering top dollar for used equipment Pocklington said “we felt it was beneficial to secure the next 22 plus years for our business.”

The new hoist comes with all the latest Marine Travelift features and Charlotte Harbor added two speed hoist and wireless remote control for safe and efficient operation. Marine Travelift also provided a Cummins engine as Charlotte Harbor has a good relationship with the local Cummins dealer.

The sale of the machine was handled by WE Johnson Equipment Co, the certified Marine Travelift dealer for all of Florida and Georgia. WE Johnson set up the hoist and aided in the sale of the used unit. “Installation went smoothly because of the knowledgeable and experienced WE Johnson technician,” Pocklington confirmed.

www.marinetravelift.com

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