A fair wind follows Coast shipbuilding
THE Gold Coast’s shipbuilding and support sector will be centre stage to launch a new global promotion of the industry today.
At Gold Coast City Marina this morning, Federal Trade and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo will unveil a report aimed at further growing the country’s shipbuilding and services capability, as well as exports.
Mr Ciobo said nowhere showcased the world-beating Australian industry better than Gold Coast City Marina ahead of the unveiling of one of its star tenants, Marine Engineering Consultants.
MEC, which started 25 years ago, has expanded from refits to focus on boat building. In the past 10 years the business has built 19 luxury and commercial aluminium catamaran ferries and charter vessels.
MEC is one of the city marina’s 70 on-site trade firms, which combined employ 500 staff and contractors.
“With more than 50,000 vessels maintained, repaired or built here since it opened in 2000, the Gold Coast City Marina is a perfect microcosm of everything great about Australia’s vibrant marine industry,” Mr Ciobo said.
The Austrade report he will unveil – called Australia’s Capability in Commercial Shipbuilding and Services – aims to drive investment and grow exports.
“Australia has a unique set of strengths and capabilities to contribute to the rapidly growing global maritime manufacturing market,” Mr Ciobo said.
“As one of the oldest, most strategic and highly competitive markets in the world, this report helps Australia stand out in a crowded global shipbuilding industry.
The report details the construction, component-making and service capabilities of commercial ship exporters and contains information on how Australia’s various arms of government can assist exporters and customers for commercial ships.
Details of the Government’s export promotion agency Austrade and export credit agency Efic are also included.
In total, Australia’s shipbuilding industry – which includes Gold Coast luxury boat rock stars Maritimo and Riviera – generates $1.7 billion a year, employs 14,600 and delivers $575 million in exports.
Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard CEO Trenton Gay said it was great to see proactive support from the Turnbull Government to revitalise the industry.
“It’s fitting they have chosen the Gold Coast Marine Precinct to launch this initiative given the precinct is responsible for 80 per cent of all new vessels manufactured here in Australia,” he said.
“It is also home to the largest concentration of marine trades in the southern hemisphere.”