2 EYEBROWINDUSTRY NEWS New marina consultancy with familiar faces A


new ‘next generation’ marina and waterfront consultancy business, Marina Solutions


International Ltd, is headed up by two of the industry’s most familiar faces – James Beaver and Bill Green. It can provide companies developing new projects or upgrading established facilities with years of experience and unique insights into competitive markets and new yachting destinations all over the world. Between them, the founders have been instrumental in the design, construction, commissioning, redevelopment and operational management of many high- profile marinas across Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America, USA and Caribbean territories. Formerly the Director of Marina


Commercial Services with Moffatt & Nichol and before that the Chief Operating Officer at Camper and Nicholsons Marinas, James Beaver is a marina specialist with over 25 years’ industry experience. He has been responsible for numerous global marina projects from inception, through to commissioning and operation. James also has an extensive


knowledge and background in the development of marina related commercial real estate, as well as possessing an in-depth knowledge of how to integrate and optimise the all-important land/water interface. He explains, “We regularly travel to marina and yachting hubs all over the world, which presents us with a clear picture of how the global marina market is developing and expanding. This insight enables us


17,500 islands, thereby creating cruising routes to neighbouring countries. “This has all been helped,


somewhat by ICOMIA, but moreover by the interaction with regional governments working together to make it happen. And, this has prompted savvy developers to recognise the immense opportunity that exists.” Marina Solutions International


James Beaver (left) and Bill Green of Marina Solutions International Ltd.


to innovate and build-in USPs into our marina designs, whilst ensuring the marina is able to accommodate the yachts of tomorrow in an ever- changing marketplace.” Turning to marinas in traditional


yachting destinations that are seeking advice on how to innovate, James added, “Established marinas in prime Mediterranean locations don’t always have the facilities, but they don’t appear to need them to maintain good occupancy levels and command high prices. That said, in order to future-proof a marina, some further infrastructure, services and facilities would be a wise investment, to ensure it retains its appeal and continues to compete in the Med and internationally”. Bill Green, a former Master Mariner and Ex-Technical & Projects Director at Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, is arguably one of the most talented marina designers in the world. Bill has more than 30 years’


experience in turnkey design, construction and operation of major marinas all over the world, along with design and consultancy


services for numerous other marinas and waterfronts. The story for the emerging


yachting markets in Asia is somewhat different to that of the Mediterranean and he comments, “In the past 24 months or so, I have witnessed the South-East Asian market taking on an accelerated development rate and a more considered and sustainable one at that. It’s incredible how much growth and expansion has occurred in such a short space of time. Thanks to certain dedicated individuals lobbying politicians and improved professional services, Asia is now finally embracing yachting and yacht tourism, and not only domestically and regionally, as it is now attracting a greater share of the international market”. He continues, “Singapore, Hong Kong and Phuket were the trailblazers in the region, but other areas such as Malaysia are now hosting rendezvous’ to bolster growth. In Indonesia, we’re starting to see the emergence of marinas in strategic locations to link up its


offers marina and property developers a solid professional consultancy service at any stage of a marina’s life cycle, through an appropriate turnkey process. This process provides site analyses, market insights, operational guidance, concept and detailed designs, business planning, marketing and the strategic input needed for a marina to thrive. The efforts of Beaver and Green


are complemented by a team of Associates and Consultants, combining the skills and experience of the best minds in the business to provide marina developers/operators with unbiased, independent and qualified advice. Kemal Saatcioglu, former CEO of D-Marin Marinas and Philip Jones, Marinas Director at Orascom, are two such well-known industry professionals, who are contracted to MSI, providing their specialist knowledge and services. Business in Asia is supported by Joseph Wong, who has previously partnered Bill Green for seven years on projects in this region. MSI has a global reach, with both


directors ready to visit marinas all over the world to offer their collective experience and deliver marina consultancy services.


Connecting guests with boat-owners


On 14 November, Beds on Board, the sharing economy platform that connects guests and boat- owners for accommodation aboard boats, revealed the total market opportunity of the boat accommodation sector ahead of its crowdfunding raise on Seedrs.


MARINA INDUSTRY • DECEMBER 2018 Beds on Board has worked with


global marine organisations to identify that there are over eight million suitable boats worldwide and that they are used, on average, less than 10% of the year. This represents 2.6 billion nights worth of inventory that can be used as


accommodation through the peer- to-peer platform, satisfying demand for city-breaks, family staycations, romantic escapes and places to stay during events. Accommodation from the sharing


economy is currently estimated to be worth £34 billion and is popularised


by online markets such as Airbnb and Booking.com, which specialise in land-based options. Beds on Board’s focus is on renting only boats, purely as accommodation, and has agreements that exclude other platforms from operating in key locations.


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