More news of expanding Asian market activity - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 22 Jan 22:00 UTC
Thailand International Boat Show 2026 opening © Thailand International Boat Show
The official opening of the Thailand International Boat Show, a luxury lifestyle event at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, brought together senior government representatives and leaders from the marine and tourism industries.
This is one of Southeast Asia's key yachting and waterfront lifestyle events. The event follows a successful Thailand Yachting Conference held earlier this week. The show plays an essential role in supporting Thailand's marine and lifestyle industries and serves as a timely opening to Phuket's high season.
Also from Thailand, Fairview Yachting has recently acquired Simpson Yacht Charter, Thailand. While the name has changed, their commitment to delivering exceptional yacht charter experiences in Phuket remains the same. Customers will still enjoy the same fleet of beautiful bareboat and crewed yachts, with the same team of experienced professionals ready to provide outstanding service.
Back in Australia, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) is turning the spotlight on the future of marina technology and entrepreneurship with a brand-new dedicated exhibition space at the Marinas26 International Conference & Trade Exhibition. The Marinas26 Innovators & Start-Up Showcase will give ambitious start-ups and pioneering new products a rare chance to demonstrate their ideas, gain real-time industry feedback, and connect with decision-makers shaping the global marina industry.
Down south, Freedom Boat Club, a division of Brunswick Corporation and the world's largest boat club, announced plans to open its first Tasmanian location in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the brand's continued expansion across Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, offering members a hassle-free way to explore Hobart's iconic waterways without the cost or upkeep of boat ownership. More than 67,000 Tasmanians hold boat licenses, underscoring strong local demand for flexible, accessible boating experiences.
Group Beneteau announce the FIRST 60. As the largest First ever built, this yacht is designed for sailors who seek those rare moments, those who value intensity, precision at the helm, and the satisfaction of fine-tuning every detail. Among its key innovations, the FIRST 60 introduces a captive mainsheet winch for effortless, precise sail control and adaptive helm ergonomics shaped around the sailor's natural posture.
New products this week includes B&G, the world's leading sailing electronics manufacturer, who announced the latest addition to its award-winning Nemesis line: a new 7-inch sailing display. This compact option gives sailors even greater flexibility to configure their onboard systems to match their unique needs and sailing style. "Nemesis ensures sailors have instant access to the trusted data they need, presented exactly how they want it, no matter the conditions," said Yasser Nafei, President, Electronic Solutions for Navico Group.
Lowrance, a world-leader in fishing electronics, has introduced ActiveTarget 2 XL, the brand's most advanced live sonar system to date. Featuring surface-to-surface 180-degree views, this technology delivers unmatched clarity and coverage, giving anglers a complete picture of what's happening beneath the water in real time.
C-MAP, a global leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping solutions, announced a significant update to its New Zealand charts, now featuring the newly designated Hauraki Gulf Protection Areas across its DISCOVER, REVEAL, and X Gen charts.
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/Oceania updated daily.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media