Australian Marine Industry Award winners announced during gala dinner

AIMEX (Australian International Marine Export Group) has announced the winners of the 2019 Australian Marine Industry Awards, hosted during the 9th annual ASMEX Conference on Tuesday 21^st May.

Commencing with Benetti pre dinner drinks, the event took place at MacArthur’s ballroom at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort during a gala dinner.

Presented annually, it celebrated outstanding industry achievements in the Australian marine export, superyacht and commercial businesses, commemorating winners across 11 categories.

Richard Chapman, AIMEX president, said this year’s award winners represent the success that Australian businesses and brands are enjoying on the global stage. “Their investment, hard work and high standards pay off. We are proud to elevate this amazing group of marine industry professionals and pay tribute to their talent and tenacity.”

Aus Ships Group scooped the Yard Brisbane’s Commercial Marine Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year award for its high-profile work on the diverse fleet of craft for the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.

The Yard Brisbane was awarded BSE Maritime Solutions Commercial Marine Service Provider of the Year. While Marine Engineering Consultants won Most Innovative Marine Industry Commercial Product or Service, sponsored by Rivergate Marina & Shipyard.

In the superyacht category, North Australia Yacht Support received the Highly Commanded award. Meanwhile Super Yacht Group Barrier Reef was the winner of the Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year award, sponsored by Pantaenius, which was proudly received by Joanne Drake, manager of SYGGBR.

Echo Yachts claimed Rivergate Marina & Shipyard’s Superyacht Industry Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year for its 84-metre (276-foot) superyacht White Rabbit. Sam Sorgiovanni is responsible for the exterior and interior design of the superyacht, the largest ever superyacht built in Australia, the world’s largest superyacht and largest trimaran superyacht.

The final award of the superyacht segment, the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard Australian Voyage Award, was presented to Captain Martin Debanks of luxury charter yacht MY Spirit for the voyage of a ten-day charter from Cairns, to Lizard Island and Port Douglas.

Seahub claimed three out of the four awards in the export category; Best Marine Industry Export Performance (Medium Exporter), Marine Industry Export Marketing Strategy and Marine Industry Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Steber International became victorious in the Marine Industry Export Performance (Large Exporter) class, sponsored by Benetti.

The final category was the Marine Industry Champion Award, sponsored by Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA), which was won by Mark Stothard, owner and managing director of Echo Yachts.

Stothard was very pleased, stating, “I’ve been around for a long time, built dozens of boats. During this time, I have surrounded myself with very good people on this journey and we have achieved some amazing things along the way 

“White Rabbit is the most successful build I’ve ever been involved in and awards of this nature are recognition of our time on the ground and that we’ve delivered the goods.”

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