Shipyard Tours - a new addition to the ASMEX program in 2019
With this year's new program format of ASMEX commencing on Monday, a day earlier than in prior years, it provided the opportunity on the Wednesday for ASMEX delegates to visit four of South East Queensland's thriving marina's and shipyards.
A group of 25 delegates headed to Brisbane for site inspections at The Yard Brisbane and Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, followed by The Boat Works and Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard at Coomera.
"This was an addition to the program this year and it was well received,” said AIMEX CEO, David Good. “Delegates appreciated the first-hand experience of each of the very different shipyards, meeting management and gaining an understanding of the scope and scale of the offering in south-east Queensland.
“There’s a lot of investment, development and a proactive approach to attracting boats to our shores. In particular international delegates can now see the preparedness of local yards to welcome the world’s superyachts, as well as servicing and refitting Australian vessels that cruise the east coast.”
Carmen Lau, Managing Director at Camper & Nicholsons Asia, said the tour was “extremely valuable” for gaining insight into the refit and repair capabilities in Australia.
“There are many yachts that we could send to Australia for projects and to enjoy the cruising, now that we know they would be well taken care of.”
Philipp von Arnim, Head of Business Development at Lürssen Yachts, said “It was great to be a part of an industry tour whilst I was in Australia, showing the refit and maintenance facilities in that part of the world. I was very impressed indeed.”
From Oceanmax, NZ, Nona Pedersen was thrilled to see the diversity of the Australian offering.
“For the past few years I have had a US focus, so it was great to see all the different yards and meet the great people who run them. They were all very different, and I am pleased to see their commitment to growth and innovation. It’s exactly what we need in the southern hemisphere!
By ASMEX