Outlook Creative Services
West Australian superyacht builder Oceanfast.
“This provides a very skilled and experienced pool to draw upon and helps to ensure we have the best possible staff and skills. We can also expand for multiple overlapping large projects when the need arises.”
Echo also invests notable resources into hiring and training apprentices across all in-house disciplines, helping initiate the sharing of knowledge between generations – only very occasionally will the company draw on expertise from overseas.
This cohort of knowledge combine with Echo Marine Group’s facilities to present a unique Australian shipbuilding offering.
Its site in Henderson comprises 100-metre and 80-metre shipbuilding halls which house specialist trade workshops, five- and three-axis NC mould and sheet cutting equipment, and large project/design office spaces. “Echo Marine Group is the only superyacht and shipbuilding company in Australia capable of designing and building large one-of-a-kind vessels in any material (aluminium, composite and steel) in any hull form (monohull, catamaran and trimaran),” Stothard says.
“This ensures that all client requirements can be efficiently created and delivered to the highest standards under one roof.”
Futureproofing
As the regional demand for superyachts grows, Echo Marine Group appears well set to exploit new business opportunities both in this segment and its commercial and defence units.
Looking ahead, Stothard identifies technical innovation as a must-have moving forwards, something which Echo already abundantly houses.
“Increasing performance and efficiency, minimising environmental impact and reducing vessel operating costs throughout lifecycle will be key,” he says. “We have observed many of the traditional shipyards applying state-of-the-art and often expensive
new tech and software solutions to achieve marginal gains in these areas.
“Echo Marine Group has already realised, delivered and proven far greater improvements, including 30 to 40 percent lower engine powering and fuel burn, extended range with reduced fuel capacity, and greater stability for comfort.”
These credentials were achieved with M/Y White Rabbit’s advanced trimaran multi-hull platform, a process which utilised current, reliable and affordable equipment technologies laid out and integrated in a smart way.
Stothard hints at new designs to be released into the luxury market in the coming months, the company also continuing with its refit work and looking to commence on some newbuild projects.
“On the commercial front we are building some very large aluminium vessel components as a subcontractor for a large international project, and providing sustainment services to several vessels in service,” he adds, detailing Echo’s activities beyond Echo Yachts.
“We are also planning to expand our defence service offerings with the manufacture of certain specialist components and installation of specialist coating systems. This will include producing large components and modules, plus specialist fitout, electrical and engineering services for large defence contractors.”
The future thus looks a vibrant one for Echo Marine Group across all three of its specialist areas.
Add in the backdrop of a busy Asia-Pacific market on its doorstep, and Australia is very much open for business on the yacht building stage.
Echo Marine Group
Tel: +61 (0)8 6555 4988 wa@echomarinegroup.com www.echomarinegroup.com