Austrade media release

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Austrade is helping Australian marine businesses navigate the significant US$36 billion (A$41 billion) United States marine market by participating at this week’s International Workboat Show - North America’s largest commercial marine tradeshow (November 28-30).

Austrade’s New Orleans-based US Gulf Coast District Manager, Bryan Wallace, said the annual trade show, which returned to New Orleans last year following Hurricane Katrina, is the hub of all workboat related activity in the US Gulf region.    

“The International Workboat Show is the largest commercial marine tradeshow in North America serving people and businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters,” Mr Wallace said.

“Austrade and the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development, which established the Tasmanian Marine Network, are assisting the Australian marine delegation participating at the trade show,” he said.

“More than 1,000 exhibitors will showcase products and services for commercial vessels and the companies that build, service and operate them. It is also the only industry event that provides an opportunity to meet buyers face-to-face.

“In 2006 the US marine industry generated a total of US$36 billion (A$41 billion) in revenue, with freight sales the most lucrative sector totalling US$30.1 billion (A$34.4 billion), or 83.5 per cent or revenue. Compound annual growth rates over the next four years are expected to average 1.8 per cent,” Mr Wallace said.

Participating exhibitors include: Austal, Liferaft Systems Australia, Colebeck & Gunton, Fiomarine Industries, Incat Australia, Moonraker Australia, Muir Windlasses Australia Pivot Maritime International, Taylor Bros (Slipway & Engineering) and the Australian Maritime College.

Tasmanian-based business, Liferaft Systems Australia, won the Small to Medium Manufacturer category in the 2007 Australian Export Awards held last week.

Austrade’s Marine Industry Network Team Leader, Leigh Wilmott, said Australian shipbuilders have an impressive record of efficiency and innovation and Australian-made ferries, patrol boats, fishing boats, and defence vessels are used worldwide.

“This event also highlights Australia’s innovation, design capabilities and workmanship all of which are hallmarks of Australian-made marine products. The industry is renowned for providing practical solutions for challenging marine situations,” Mr Wilmott said.

“Participation in these trade shows helps demonstrate Australian capabilities first-hand enhancing export opportunities and follows from our participation in the International Boatbuilders’ exhibition and Conference (IBEX) where Austrade assisted an Australian delegation of 12 marine companies as well as at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) which were both held in October,” he said.

Austrade provides extensive support for Australian exporters in the US market with representation in 18 US cities, eight specialist industry teams and a network of US Export Advisers around Australia. 

Austrade’s US-based specialist Marine Team is part of the agency’s global Marine Industry Network which spans more than 26 countries. For further information on Australia's marine industry and export opportunities for Australian marine please see www.austrade.gov.au/marine.


ENDS

Media contact

Sarkis Khoury
Senior Media Adviser
Tel: +61 2 930 2118
Mob: +61 414 401 072
Email: sarkis.khoury@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.