Kropf Industrial also
Kropf Industrial also manufactures Conolift hydraulic boat trailers and mobile boat hoists with capacities from 3 – 100 tons. www.kropfindustrial.com info@kropfindustrial.com 888.480.3777
GLOBAL INDUSTRY OVERVIEWS Five Gold Anchor Marina, Saint-Quay Port d’Armor in Brittany, France, berths over 1,000 boats and is popular with visitors. to push the leisure marine market and, consequently, there have been few new marina developments in the region. Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, with the highest GDP per capita in South America, have been able to maintain par relying mostly on the domestic market and visitors from neighbouring countries. Brazil, the largest economy of the continent, has been hit hard since 2014 by a recession caused by mismanagement and political crisis. This has had a devastating impact on the nautical sector, from boatbuilders to marinas. But it is worth mentioning that the refit of Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro, to host the 2016 Olympic Games, has set a great example of how well-designed and well-operated public marinas can positively impact the city and draw attention to boating. This iconic urban marina will certainly stimulate similar projects along Brazil’s 8,500km (5,282mi) coast as soon as the local economy recovers. Aside from demand, another factor that hampers the development of new marinas in the region continues to be the lengthy and tortuous process of obtaining the required environmental licences and permits. This will only change when marinas are officially classified as infrastructure of public and social interest, like motorways and ports, and the social and economic impact of these facilities is thus recognised. A recent study sponsored by the Secretary of Development of the State of Sao Paulo (Brazil) has concluded that, on average, a boat kept in a marina generates 2.6 jobs with an impact of US0,000 per year on the local economy. Nonetheless, assuming that all necessary conditions for leisure marine developments - from location to demand - are met, it is still imperative to work with local authorities to establish a strategic plan to achieve long-term growth. We do not need to look too far for a good reference, as Colombia has already shown. Klaus Peters PORTUGAL The Portuguese marina industry is a fairly new and challenging market with very specific trends. Portugal is a country with a great maritime history that goes back to the 15th century when the caravels set sail to discover the world. Boat construction, navigation, science and technology related to boating were in the blood of all Portuguese people. At that time our knowledge Martinho Fortunato extended as far as Brazil, India, Macau, many African countries and islands. Fast forward to the 21st century and the country, being part of the EU, still struggles to overcome the challenges and scars of many economically difficult years. Boating as a sport is still not accessible (and still seen as an elitist activity) for many Portuguese, leading to insignificant boat construction and sales. During the crisis of 2008-2016 the boating market fell by about 40%. The Marina de Lagos in the Algarve, Portugal has boosted local tourism and offers good shoreside leisure amenities. www.marinaworld.com - November/December 2018 35
