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Discover more at sleipnergroup.com/evision FOR THE MARINE TRADE | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ISSUE 21 marineindnews.com Join 17,000+ marine trade professionals worldwide Subscribe to MIN’s free daily news info@seaviewprogress.com - www.seaviewprogress.com A PARTNER ON BOARD PROPULSION • MAINTENANCE • DECK EQUIPMENT C T R O N I C M O U N T I N G S O L U T I O N S ANTICORROSIVE & ELECTROLYTIC PROTECTION G A L V A N I C P R O T E CTO R N O N S K I D D E C K I N G N O N SK I D D E C K P A I N T M A T I C F E A T H E R I N G P R O P E L L E R I N F L A T A B L E T E X T IL E F E N D E R L I N E & N E T C UT T E R M E C H A N I C A L S H AFT S E A Lmarineindnews.com | 3 31 Egypt: ownership trends evolve Marina opportunities grow while superyacht trends offer new potential 11 Fact & friction How are shifting regulations impacting the international coatings sector? 14 Bridging the Gulf Gulf Craft CEO Erwin Bamps: 2026 insights and weathering complex market conditions 22 Engineering change Three women share their career journeys in the marine tech and engineering space 26 Multihull options Sunreef Yachts’ Francis Lapp talks regional headwinds, UAE resilience and future plans 04 The superyacht industry’s growing pains Seven leading suppliers discuss challenges facing the industry 38 The rise of Africa’s marine economy Is a maturing refit sector and African cruising corridor the key to success? 43 MarineShift360: evidence over rhetoric Can hard data battle industry greenwashing and provide proof of bottom-line savings? 50 The art of scaling up Marina startups reveal how they have scaled up and secured industry trust 58 Hidden potential What do marine businesses need to do to boost their visibility on AI platforms? 47 Seeking efficiency Inside Sunseeker’s factory transformation MIN Units SF1-2 Endeavour Quay Mumby Road Gosport PO12 1AH UK | www.marineindnews.com | © Marine Industry News Ltd (MIN) Next issue distributed at Metstrade Contact: mike@maa.agency or production@marineindustrynews.co.uk to book ad space. Advertising deadline – 15 October. EDITORIAL MIN daily news, website & magazine Editor – Chantal Haines chantal@maa.agency Editor-in-chief – Zella Compton info@marineindustrynews.co.uk PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Mike Shepherd mike@maa.agency Italy, Admarex. Tel: +39 010 5954749 info@admarex.com DESIGN AND ARTWORK Steve Davies steve@maa.agency Printed by Stanbury Chameleon on Carbon Balanced Paper, endorsed by the World Land Trust Editor’s welcome In today’s complex trading landscape, strategic flexibility, customer service, and digital integration bring competitive advantage. In this issue, three leading engineers discuss how to attract top tech talent on page 22. Plus, key supply chain players debate growing pains in an expanding superyacht industry on page 4. Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft Group, shares his perspective on the shifting dynamics of global yacht ownership. Returning to the helm of the UAE-based shipbuilder, Bamps reflects on regional headwinds on page 14. It is precisely within current tighter operational parameters that artificial intelligence (AI) is demonstrating potential for marine businesses. McKenna Townsend explores how firms can better leverage AI on page 58. MarineShift 360 reveals how third-party verified data could – and should – be used to end widespread greenwashing within the industry (page 43). And, as our industry grapples with an ever-changing business landscape, the autumn boat shows and plethora of marine events should be a welcome reminder of the level of innovation, technical prowess and design expertise the leisure marine sector has to offer. This issue aims to reflect the scale of potential – from startups discussing the art of scaling up to Sunseeker and Sunreef Yachts revealing their latest ventures and strategies. As ever, the MIN team looks forward to connecting with readers at the upcoming boat shows and marine events. CONTENTS Page 22Page 4Page 144 | MARINE INDUSTRY NEWS | ISSUE 21 | SEPTEMBER 2026 SECTOR OVERVIEW The superyacht industry’s growing pains The superyacht industry continues to grow, but many of the people responsible for building, servicing, selling and supporting the world’s largest yachts say the industry is wrestling with labour shortages, rising costs, increasing technical complexity and owners whose expectations are evolving faster than the infrastructure designed to support them. Bigger yachts, strained infrastructure, challenges for marinas According to IGY Marinas’ European operations director Simon Bryan, the biggest challenge currently facing the sector is the widening gap between growing superyacht demand and the infrastructure, people, and operating standards required to provide support. “The fleet continues to become larger, more sophisticated, and more service-intensive, while prime berthing capacity, technical support, skilled labour, utilities, security, and environmental infrastructure are not expanding at the same pace,” he says. IGY operates a global network of luxury yacht destinations across the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe – many of which are home ports for superyachts. “For IGY, this challenge is more significant than any single issue such as regulation, labour shortages, or sustainability because it encompasses all of them. A marina is no longer simply a place to berth a yacht; it has become a service platform, logistics hub, compliance interface, hospitality venue, security environment, and technical support ecosystem.” Supplier and talent shortage for shipyards The ecosystem sitting behind the wider industry is causing furrowed brows. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a supply chain, and subcontractors, capable of adequately supporting the ever- growing quality requirements demanded by shipyards,” says Seven leaders on the challenges shaping 2026marineindnews.com | 5 Fabio Ermetto, Baglietto’s chief commercial officer. Baglietto, a historic Italian shipyard, specialises in custom aluminium and steel superyachts. “Many suppliers in this sector are still highly artisanal in their approach and have not evolved sufficiently to meet the needs of an industrial environment. “Of course, this does not apply to everyone, but it is undoubtedly an issue that is closely linked to another equally important challenge: the difficulty of finding skilled labour, particularly in certain areas such as metal fabrication and steelwork.” Williams Jet Tenders’ sales director Mathew Hornsby, agrees. “Attracting and retaining talented individuals who embody a company’s values and can drive meaningful, actionable improvements remains one of the greatest challenges for any business, regardless of being in the superyacht sector or another industry.” Interestingly, Edmund Beckett, naval architect and senior partner for global superyacht brokerage firm Burgess, says a key issue is that yachting has been billed as an aspirational activity (for good reason). “But this means that the expectations of being involved in all the ‘good stuff’ are out of proportion with the willingness to put in the hard yards,” he adds. Yachts’ technical complexities heighten talent shortage The clear shift towards larger vessels has heightened the shortage of skilled professionals, highlighting challenges brought to the fore with the continuing strong growth post-covid – says Pietro Cappiello, vice president of CMC Marine (which manufactures stabilising systems for superyachts). “This evolution has significantly increased the technical complexity involved in the design, construction, and management of yachts. “As technology continues to advance rapidly, there is a growing need for highly qualified talent across the entire value chain – from designers and shipyards to suppliers and crew – capable of managing increasingly sophisticated systems and solutions. “At the same time, there is an ongoing challenge related to generational turnover.” Superyacht owners want more – and faster IGY’s Bryan agrees that labour is a challenge. “Recruiting experienced operational, technical, hospitality, and security personnel has become increasingly competitive.” » “Many suppliers in this sector are still highly artisanal in their approach and have not evolved sufficiently to meet the needs of an industrial environment.” Fabio Ermetto Baglietto SECTOR OVERVIEW IGY’s Vieux-Port de Cannes Simon Bryan, IGY Marinas Edmund Beckett, Burgess Mathew Hornsby, Williams Jet Tenders Fabio Ermetto, Baglietto6 | MARINE INDUSTRY NEWS | ISSUE 21 | SEPTEMBER 2026 But he sets the challenge neatly alongside compliance, sourcing, energy costs, and... owners. “Compliance requirements continue to grow, supply chains remain less predictable than they were before covid, and utility and infrastructure costs have risen significantly.” At the same time, he says, “owners and captains expect faster responses, greater flexibility, higher levels of personalisation, and consistently exceptional service.” That comes within the lens of considerably intensified competition within the marina sector. “New developments, acquisitions, and investment- backed operators are entering the market, increasing pressure on marina operators to continually invest in facilities, technology, and service standards. Differentiation is becoming more difficult, particularly in mature yachting destinations.” Getting the data balance right for owners Burgess’ Beckett is also experiencing owner challenges – but of a different nature. “Everyone in the industry, including owners, is far more informed than five years ago and have AI at their fingertips,” he says. “There is so much information now publicly available and owner’s views are often quite set before anything is discussed with them, but these views are often formed without the full picture and context.” This means that keeping relevance and “expert advisor status” is more challenging than ever. But Josh Richardson, CEO Superyacht Tenders and Toys (SYTT) which sources, customises, and manages tenders for superyachts, welcomes the availability of data. “Historically, sourcing a quality tender or chase boat often relied on a relatively small network of contacts and a lot of time spent gathering information. Today, buyers have access to far more data, better market intelligence and a wider range of options globally. That’s raised standards across the industry,” notes Richardson. “Owners and captains are making more informed decisions, builders are more accountable, and the market as a whole is operating more efficiently. “We’ve seen firsthand how increased transparency benefits both buyers and sellers by creating greater confidence in transactions and valuations. Something that is less common these days is back-handed commissions to brokers, ensuring the client gets the best price.” Margin pressures from customer expectations Richardson says that margin pressure is showing up in yacht toys, watersports equipment, and tenders, where innovation cycles are accelerating… and customer expectations continue to rise. “Manufacturers are facing higher development, compliance and support costs, while competition continues to increase. At the same time, owners can see watersports products on the shelves of Walmart, Decathlon or online retailers and understandably question why a superyacht solution costs significantly more. » “Manufacturers are facing higher development, compliance and support costs, while competition continues to increase.” Josh Richardson SYTT D-Marin’s Porto Mirabello SECTOR OVERVIEW Josh Richardson, SYTTDESIGNED FOR EVERY JOURNEY. DOMETIC MARINE Whether you're setting off for a weekend escape, exploring new coastlines or embarking on a voyage across open water, every great experience begins with confidence in your equipment onboard. Reliable systems give you the freedom to focus on the journey ahead. Dometic designs innovative marine solutions that make every journey more comfortable, reliable and enjoyable. From cooling and climate control to power, sanitation and stabilization, our products are engineered to perform in demanding marine environments, delivering dependable comfort wherever the water takes you. AIR CONDITIONING • BLINDS • REFRIGERATION SANITATION • STEERING • STABILIZATION View The RangeFind A Dealer Meet Dometic Marine at: •Cannes Yachting Festival (PAN 327) •Southampton International Boat Show (W4) •Monaco Yacht Show (DS17) •Salone Nautico Internazionale (TD 10) •IBEX (3-1301)8 | MARINE INDUSTRY NEWS | ISSUE 21 | SEPTEMBER 2026 “The reality is that they’re often comparing a mass-market product with a premium, commercial-grade or bespoke solution that has been selected, customised and supported for a very different environment. The businesses that will protect margins are those that can clearly communicate that value and deliver an exceptional ownership experience long after the initial purchase.” Economic landscape remains a critical factor Taking a macro view, the key risk facing the superyacht sector in late 2026/7, is the emergence of financial or credit crises, believes CMC’s Cappiello. “Beyond that, the broader international political and economic landscape remains a critical factor. In the post- covid period, we have already seen how inflation and an unfavourable economic environment have affected the market – particularly in the smaller boat segment – leading to significant challenges for many companies. “If a similar situation were to occur on a larger scale, it would inevitably have repercussions across the entire industry.” But some things have been getting easier. Digitalisation and tech increases professionalism Dean Smith, CCO of D-Marin (which operates a network of superyacht harbours across the Mediterranean and Gulf), says digitalisation has removed many of the traditional frictions owners once faced; the paperwork, the mooring delays, the constant back-and-forth with marina teams. “Service standards across the sector have risen sharply, so stepping into boating, even at the superyacht level, feels much more intuitive than it once did,” he says. “For D-Marin, this shift has been transformative. We’ve focused on creating a connected, premium network across nine countries, bringing new marinas in Italy, France, Greece, Malta and Spain into one consistent standard of experience. Digital innovation has played a huge role in that.” IGY Marinas’ Bryan agrees. “Technology has significantly improved communication, reservation management, customer profiling, maintenance planning, security monitoring, and operational efficiency,” he says. “The industry has also become more professional. Captains, yacht managers, owners’ representatives, shipyards, and marina operators are more aligned than ever on service standards, safety, and sustainability objectives. “There is also far greater collaboration and knowledge sharing, particularly among global marina networks, helping to drive consistency and best practice.” Taken together, these perspectives suggest that the superyacht industry’s greatest challenge is keeping pace with its own evolution. From marina infrastructure and skilled labour shortages to increasingly complex technology, margin pressure and rising owner expectations, businesses across the sector are being asked to do more with greater speed and precision. Yet there is also a clear sense of confidence. Greater transparency, stronger collaboration, improved service standards and continued investment in digitalisation are helping companies adapt to changing conditions. While economic uncertainty remains a risk, the industry is increasingly professional, connected and better equipped to meet the demands of the next generation of owners, yachts and destinations. D-Marin’s Porto Mirabello Words: Zella Compton Pietro Cappiello, CMC Marine Dean Smith, D-Marin SECTOR OVERVIEW© Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. YOUR VOICE OF CONFIDENCENext >