“As the world faces more uncertainty and the potential for highly disruptive change, perhaps, more than at any time in most memories, the report shows that there are justifiable grounds for optimism about the future of our maritime activities.


Maritime trade will be needed more than ever if we are to prosper. This valuable report provides useful insight into the future of shipping and naval power.”


Tom Boardley was Marine Director Lloyd’s Register Group Limited at the time he made this quote.


The ocean is the highway for international trade, with 90% being seaborne. The global fleet of ships (selfpropelled merchant vessels above 99 gross tonnes) consist principally of bulk carriers, tankers and container ships, which are the vital arteries of international commerce, and thus key to understanding global marine trends. Bulk carriers carry raw materials such as iron ore; tankers carry crude oil and liquefied natural gas and container ships move manufactured goods from manufacturing centres to consuming countries.


The concern for marine life and ocean protection has also soared, encouraging various new strategies to produce plastic-free charters, established by designers and engineers with improved technologies, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of luxury superyachts.


The look and feel of the vessels are becoming ever important, so enter black interiors and contemporary lighting.


Yacht interiors are expected to follow in the footsteps of home interiors, jumping on the black-finish- bandwagon. The sleek, minimalistic, black craze erupted in the 2010s, often being paired with white décor, and sometimes a splash of colour. It will give yacht interiors a modern look, while maintaining the all-important luxury factor.


Lighting has become much more than simply illuminating a room. It can now be used to alter atmosphere, entertain or turn an uninteresting home essential into a modern piece of art. Within the 2020s, we see the standard room light as being a thing of the past, with more innovative, whacky light


reporting low stock levels. In March, things looked bleak in the extreme as marinas and facilities closed. Boat dealer inventories were stagnant, boating businesses locked down as the population became distracted and immersed by COVID-19. Boat sales were nearly non-existent and viewings almost impossible to arrange. But that was soon to change.


Bryan Seti, General Manager for sales and marketing at Yamaha’s Watercraft Group, headquartered in Georgia, commented that Yamaha saw record sales in April (up 154 percent over 2019), primarily of boats 19 to 27 feet. Even the colder weather in some northeastern states didn’t slow the momentum and people were less picky about available colours.


Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA), says the sales funnel has been full of leads as people have had time to sit at home and research boats online. Now it’s a matter of serious sales efforts and strong inventory levels turning prospects into buyers. The product mix may have also changed a bit with smaller, entry level new boats selling well.


Boating is social distancing at its finest. Families endured months of lockdown with Zoom calls and 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles. Social distancing will still be important going forward for the long term seemingly, and you can hardly be safer than on a boat with your family unit.


98 | The Report • December 2020 • Issue 94


boating


superyacht


Shipping


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