Gold Coast News

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains the driving forces behind the global trade association’s imperative to keep its foot on the gas.Interferry and its members scaled some demanding peaks in 2022 but, to state the obvious, our work is never done. Facing an equally busy schedule of challenges and opportunities in the year ahead, we need to keep climbing – a truism that has been memorably expressed as ‘the top of one mountain is always the bottom of another’.Our 46th annual conference in Seattle last October was definitely one of the peaks…

For 21 years, Fort Prinzenstein's caretaker James Ocloo Akorli has watched the Gulf of Guinea's tempestuous waters eat away at both his livelihood and his heritage.The 18th century Danish citadel, set along Ghana's palm-fringed coastline, was once the last stop for captured Africans before they were forced onto slave ships bound for the Americas.Today, three-quarters of the UNESCO World Heritage site has been swallowed by the sea."There have been mornings after a storm when I have come to find large parts of the fort have just disappeared…

Marine Highways Gain Traction in the Intermodal Supply Chain.In the United States, landside infrastructure is at a crisis point. Congestion at the big hub ports, exacerbated by imperfect intermodal interfaces with surface transport serving cargo hinterlands is at the heart of the matter. As politicians bicker over a possible infrastructure package, the Highway Trust Fund, funded by taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, has continued its downward journey towards further deficits (now $144 billion). And, where countless U.S.

Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) USA Florida Chapter participated in a sea turtle release with the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program (BCSTCP) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on July 26, 2018.Forty nine WISTA members and guests attended the sea turtle hatchling release, which raised $1000 for the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program.“As maritime professionals, WISTA members understand the significant role we can play to protect the habitats, nesting areas, and life cycle of sea creatures.

Global trade association Interferry has chosen Hobart, Tasmania, as the venue for its 45th annual conference in October 2020 – the third time that the ferry industry’s showcase event will have been staged in Australia following Sydney in 1995 and Gold Coast in 2002. Hobart was confirmed for 2020 during an Interferry board meeting in Atlanta, U.S. “We felt it was important to go back to Australia – we have a strong base of members there and they have always been very supportive,” explained CEO Mike Corrigan.

Brisbane Navy base, HMAS Moreton, recently hosted 60 Army Assault Pioneer Platoon personnel for a three-week intensive Advanced Small-Craft Operations Course. Situated on the Brisbane River at Bulimba, the base became the home to 30 trainees and 30 support staff from 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. The Platoon conducted a series of tactical insertions at Bribie and Moreton Islands as well as surf negotiation on the Gold Coast. The course develops skills for pre-landing force operations from Navy's amphibious ships, HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide. A number of zodiac boats are required to insert the Battalion’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance elements prior to the arrival of the main landing force.

Derecktor Shipyards of Mamaroneck, New York and Harbor Harvest of East Norwalk, CT. has announced their next revolutionary project providing an alternative transportation platform for organic food shipping. Combining the quality construction that Derecktor’s reputation is built on, along with their successful application of a cutting edge BAE HybriDrive propulsion system utilizing Cummins QSB6.7’s, the vessel is based on a 19m aluminum Catamaran platform designed for efficient operation in coastal waters.

A brand new vessel is now plying the waterways of Gold Coast, Queensland following the launch of Wyndham Cruises’ multimillion-dollar, purpose-built dining vessel, Spirit of Elston. The new vessel replaces the company’s current vessel, the MV Entertainer, which has operated on the Gold Coast waterways since the 1980s, and is a first of its kind on Gold Coast waters, according to Wyndham Cruises general manager, Dean Griffin. “The boat has been customized from the inside out, purposefully designed for on-board dining and structured to fit under Gold Coast bridges…

Elandra Yachts has added another layer of craftsmanship to its boat-building operation with the launch of a new in-house paint department at the Gold Coast plant, signalling further growth for the Australian luxury motor yacht brand. Renowned for the range of spectacular bronzed and golden hues gracing the hulls of its show-stopping vessels, Elandra Yachts will now detail and finish each model in-house, ensuring the company's exacting standards are maintained as the factory increases production to meet high international demand.

Short sea shipping is alive and well on America’s East Coast. In the United States, counties and states directly on the shoreline constitute less than 10 percent of the total land area (not including Alaska), but account for 39 percent of the total population. From 1970 to 2010, the population of these counties increased by almost 40 percent and are projected to increase by an additional 10 million people or 8 percent by 2020. Coastal areas are substantially more crowded than the U.S. as a whole, and population density in coastal areas will continue to increase in the future.

Incat Crowther  announced the delivery of the 33m Catamaran Dive Cruise Vessel, Evolution. Built by Marine Engineering Consultants on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Evolution was recently delivered to Down Under Dive. Designed from the ground up to provide a sleek and modern feature-packed vessel, Evolution blends motor yacht style with commercial vessel efficiency and ruggedness. Featuring a high level of glazing and modern fit out. While Evolution promises to be the most comfortable vessel transiting to and from the reef, it truly comes into its own when stationed on the reef.

Incat Crowther informed about the delivery of the 33m Catamaran Dive Cruise Vessel, Evolution. Built by Marine Engineering Consultants on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Evolution was recently delivered to Down Under Dive, whereupon it has become the benchmark for customer experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Designed from the ground up to provide a sleek and modern feature-packed vessel, Evolution blends motor yacht style with commercial vessel efficiency and ruggedness. Featuring a high level of glazing and modern fit out, Evolution’s interior spaces are light and airy, whilst outdoors paces are well protected from the sun. Whilst Evolution promises to be the most comfortable vessel transiting to and from the reef, it truly comes into its own when stationed on the reef.

Australia’s newest luxury motor yacht brand Elandra Yachts has expanded its Gold Coast operations on the back of rapid growth and increased interest from Australian and international buyers. The high-end marine vessel manufacturer has acquired a further 1,000 square metres of floor space at its Arundel base, in line with Elandra’s projected growth and entry into the crucial US market. Since its launch last year, Elandra Yachts has made waves in the domestic and overseas markets, with successful recent displays at the Sydney International Boat Show and burgeoning enquiries from potential buyers. With $3.5 million committed to research and development over the next two and a half years…

Incat Crowther has entered into a contract to design a 33m Catamaran Dive Vessel for Down Under Cruise & Dive of Cairns, Australia. Construction of the vessel is well underway at Marine Engineering Consultants on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Incat Crowther were approached by Down Under Cruise & Dive to create a design that offered the ultimate passenger experience, with the class and style of a motor yacht, yet retained the rugged and efficient properties of an aluminium commercial vessel. Incat Crowther responded to the brief with an attractive, spacious and comfortable vessel that maximizes the passengers’ experience on the reef. Interior spaces are large and well glazed, and outdoor spaces are fit out with comfortable lounges and well protected from the sun.

Domestic marine surveyors will now be accredited under a national system run by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The Domestic Surveyor Accreditation Scheme came into effect on January 2. AMSA standards manager Adam Brancher said the scheme would ensure people are competent to conduct and provide survey reports for domestic commercial vessels under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 across Australia. “For the first time in Australia, domestic commercial vessel surveyors will now operate under a single consistent arrangement,” Mr Brancher said. The scheme applies to government and non-government accredited marine surveyors.

Australia's Queensland government has backed away from controversial plans to allow a cruise ship terminal to be built on state-owned land on the Gold Coast, according to the 'Brisbane Times'. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney announced on Tuesday that in response to community concerns, vacant land at Doug Jennings Park and parts of the Southport Spit would not be made available to Chinese property company ASF Consortium as part of its application for an integrated development licence. The company plans to build a mega-resort on the Broadwater, which would include a casino and cruise ship terminal. However, Brisbane Times reports that Mr Seeney said ASF Consortium has updated its concept plan to relocate the cruise ship terminal from The Spit to Wave Break Island.

Webb Institute, an undergraduate institute specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, ranked number two on Money magazine’s list of Money's Best Colleges, a new approach to ranking colleges that aims to measure educational quality, affordability and career outcomes. Nine months in the making, Money's Best Colleges ranks 665 higher education schools on 17 measures, taking into account the complete cost of a degree rather than a single year. To develop the new rankings…

Riverside Marine & Incat Crowther new passenger catamarans deployed to support construction, operation of Queensland, Australia QCLNG plant. The two new 32m catamarans Riverside Catalina and Riverside Mandalay will assist at the Curtis Island QCLNG plant in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia. Riverside Marine partnered with Incat Crowther in the development of a transport solution specifically for the Curtis Island QCLNG project. In response to a competitive tender, Riverside Marine were selected as offering the optimum package.

The project was  to provide moorings for eight vessels up to 30m for Lewis Land, The Sovereign Islands' owner and development group and included eight new superyacht berths for Grant Torrens International Marine's motoryacht brokerage display. Superior CEO John Hogan said there was a marked shortfall of superyacht berths in Australia. "Queensland, and Australia more broadly, is seeing quite an increase in large luxury vessels and superyachts, both visiting and on the market," Mr Hogan said. "With more large vessels being manufactured, imported and visiting it's important to have suitable berthing facilities... The Sovereign Islands expansion comprised seven 27.5-30m concrete Elite system berths with aluminium walers, designed specifically for large vessels and superyachts.

Comprising a series of diesel electric units, strategically located completely inboard down both sides of the vessel, the Gamma Propulsion System (TGPS), is easy to build and very easy to retro fit to existing ships. A proven system, certified as being significantly more efficient. A proven system capable of manoeuvring a displacement vessel in all directions – forward, aft, sideways, spin in its own length and crab – using its power range right up to full thrust. A system purpose-designed as the main method of propulsion for freighters, bulk carriers, oil tankers and container ships. Gamma states that data collected from controlled testing, and certified by Lloyd’s Register clearly demonstrates that TGPS delivers significant thrust with previously unthinkable efficiency.

Palmer has signed a first-stage agreement with Nanjing- based CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the ship as part of a planned fleet of luxury liners, according to a Bloomberg news report. The ship will have the same dimensions as the original Titanic, with 840 rooms on nine decks as well as gymnasiums, swimming pools, libraries and restaurants. A historical research team had started design work on the ship, which would also include an exhibition room in place of the original's coal boilers to showcase Queensland and its abundance of opportunities. Palmer has signed a first-stage agreement with Nanjing- based CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the ship as part of a planned fleet of luxury liners, the Gold Coast, Queensland-based businessman informed.

A Singapore welcome greeted the international fleet of 10 in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race as they sailed into Marina at Keppel Bay over the weekend to rousing cheers from Singaporeans, families and residents of Keppel Bay. Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of Keppel Corporation, ignited the ‘Torch of Passion', starting the welcome celebrations for the fleet which had just completed Race 7, a 4,600-mile race from Gold Coast, Australia, to Singapore. At the ceremony, Guest-of-Honor Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, presented the Keppel-sponsored Singapore Cup to the winning team from Gold Coast Australia…

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has appointed Liz Hay as Executive Director of its ANZSPAC (Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific) Division. She will combine the position with her dual role as Chief Executive Officer of both the Australian Shipbuilders Association and Australian Ship Repairers Group, which are currently in the process of merging. Based on Australia’s Gold Coast, Liz has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the Australian maritime sector.