AIMEX - About AIMEX

About AIMEX 

VISION
“AIMEX aims to be the world’s most dynamic national marine export peak body, supporting and promoting Australian exporters to succeed in global markets”

MISSION
• To develop an internationally recognized brand image for the Australian Marine Export Industry
• To promote the excellence, innovation and capabilities of the Australian Marine Export Industry
• To represent the interests of the Australian Marine Export Industry to all levels of government
• To drive political agendas, policy and budgets that effect the Australian Marine Export Industry
• To increase the value of the Australian Marine Exports
• To support members in establishing their export markets through targeted marketing and profile at international boat shows
• To provide relevant and timely information on key markets and export issues for the marine sector

About us
The Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) is the peak body for the marine export industry. The objective of AIMEX is to develop and promote Australia’s international competitiveness in the marine sector.

 AIMEX represents some of Australia’s most successful international brands, emerging companies and firms that showcase exciting innovation and technological development.

AIMEX members offer a broad range of marine services and products:

• The design, manufacture and repair of power boats, sail boats and light commercial vessels;
• Boat building equipment, research and development, technology and innovation;
• Marine construction materials;
• Ancillary equipment and fittings;
• Marina development.

AIMEX aims to develop a recognised brand image for the Australian industry in the global arena. Members gain excellent media exposure as a result of AIMEX public relations activities and numerous promotional opportunities at key international events

On an annual basis AIMEX publishes “The Australian Guide to Innovation and Excellence in Marine Exports”.  This guide is distributed worldwide and is available at major international boat shows, Austrade offices around the world and from the AIMEX website at www.aimex.asn.au. Copies are also sent to international media and global marine businesses.

On a quarterly basis AIMEX also publishes “the Exporter” which profiles new innovations and successes of Australian Companies that are members of AIMEX. This publication is also distributed worldwide.

Other membership benefits include the dissemination of market intelligence, contract opportunities and networking forums to discuss key issues.

Australian Marine Industry

The Australian marine industry is highly diverse with 2700 companies generating a $A7.5 billion turnover while employing 29,000 people. There is a thriving export industry of more than $A1.2 billion annually.  The world-class industry is located around Australia creating a contribution to regional economies.

Other services including marine retailing, marina operations and marine components.

The Australian Federal Government’s Marine Industry Action Agenda aims to improve the competitiveness of the Australian marine industry through market development, regulation, supporting innovation and ensuring high levels of skills and training.

AIMEX welcomes inquiries from international companies looking for joint ventures or partnerships. Contact medwards@aimex.asn.au.

 Export Capability- International Fast Ferry Building Industry
What is a fast ferry? It is a vessel operated commercially, which is capable of carrying at least 50 passengers or an equivalent combination of passengers and freight, at a minimum speed of 25 knots.
To increase the speed of a vessel from 25 knots to 30+ knots requires a significant increase in the capital cost of the vessel, due to the significant increase in engine power required to generate the speed. (Marine propulsion systems typically make up to 25% of the price of a high-speed ferry).
Australian designers and shipbuilders have pioneered most of the remarkable developments in the high-speed lightweight small ship sector in the last 25 years. They were among the first to use aluminium for ferries and other sizeable commercial and large pleasure vessels. They have also been responsible for many design innovations, new construction techniques and the introduction of aerospace materials to the marine industry.
Ferry and tourism operators around the world eagerly seek the technologically advanced vessels designed and built in Australia.
�� Increased speeds have drastically reduced journey times, greatly improving passenger comfort levels.
�� Ride control systems or vessel stabilisers have been developed, which enable vessels to continue operating at high speed (30-50 knots) without affecting passenger comfort and maintain schedules in poor weather and adverse sea conditions.
The high speed and reduced journey times have opened up a range of new ferry routes which were previously not viable using traditional steel built ferry vessels.
Australia’s International Competitive Advantages
�� Innovative Design: Design capacity is an outstanding strength of the Australian shipbuilding industry. Innovative design has established Australia as a world leader in fast ferries and allowed Australian designers and shipbuilders to maintain a competitive edge in the export arena. Innovative Australian fast ferry designs include the wave-piercer catamaran, the air cushion catamaran and low wash environmentally friendly ferries, suitable for high speed operation in confined or congested waterways.
�� Advanced materials/construction methods: The use of advanced materials and composites and the growing demand for larger vessels has acted as a catalyst for lightweight shipbuilders to use non-traditional ship construction methods, borrowing heavily from the automotive and aerospace industries for inspiration.
�� High quality fit out and finish: The reputation for quality design is accompanied by a reputation for quality in production. The ability to produce a well-finished and well fitted-out vessel has contributed to the maintenance of a competitive advantage. A growing number of builders have international standard quality assurance and quality control systems in place.
�� Work force capability and flexibility: Fast aluminium ferries built in Australia are crafted by highly skilled tradesmen. Pride of workmanship, high productivity levels and good relations between management and the workforce help maintain the competitiveness of Australian shipyards.
�� Delivery to buyer requirements: Australian shipbuilders have a well-deserved reputation for delivering vessels on time and to performance specifications. All vessels are tailored to suit individual customer requirements and specific route conditions.
�� Value for money: Features such as competitive price, high performance, reliability of operation, low operating costs and easy maintenance combine to make Australian fast ferries excellent value for money.
Further information, visit www.austrademarine.gov.au
Contact email: marine@austrade.gov.au or phone: +61 (0)3 9648 3170
High Speed Vessel Types
Fast Catamaran Ferries
Since Incat introduced its first 20 metre wave piercing catamaran design in 1981, closely followed by other Australian ship builders, Australia has become the international market leader in this type of fast ferry vessel.
Key Australian Shipbuilders:
Large Fast Ferries (40 metres Plus)
�� Incat
�� Austal
�� Tenix
www.incat.com.au
www.austal.com
www.tenix.com
Medium Sized Fast Ferries (20-40 metres)
�� SBF
�� Sabre Catamarans
�� Cougar Catamarans
�� Brisbane Ship Constructions
�� Richardson & Devine
�� North West Bay Ships
�� Aluminium Marine
�� Aluminium Boats
�� Yamba Welding & Engineering
www.sbfships.com.au
www.sabrecat.com.au
www.cougarcatamarans.com.au
www.bscship.com.au
www.rdm.com.au
www.nwbs.com.au
aluminiummarine@bigpond.com.au
www.allyboats.com.au
www.ywe.com.au
Fast Car / Truck / Passenger Ferries
After the first large Incat “wave piercer” designs were introduced in the early 1990’s and proven to provide significant competitive operating advantages over traditional steel vessels, the development of this sector of the market has been very fast. Yard capacity expansion has been especially rapid with vessels now been made over 100 metres in length.
Key Australian Shipbuilders:
�� Incat
�� Austal
www.incat.com.au
www.austal.com
Further information, visit www.austrademarine.gov.au
Contact email: marine@austrade.gov.au or phone: +61 (0)3 9648 3170
Low Wash Estuary / River Ferries
The environmental impact that the wave system generated by ferries has on river and harbour banks has become a major concern in many parts of the world. Depending on the type and composition of the banks, erosion along fast ferry routes can be severe. Also worthy of consideration is the unwanted motion of moored vessels and possible danger to users of small boats and people on shore.
With the ever-increasing demand for transport to be environmentally friendly, the Australian innovation of purpose-designed low-wash passenger ferries has spread worldwide. With its large population and high number of inland waterways, Asia is one area where there is already a large number of river and harbour ferry services in operation. With many areas still developing and with road and rail infrastructure, which is often poor, or non-existent, river transportation would seemingly provide an attractive option.
Environmentally sensitive river and estuary systems have created the demand for new ferry designs, to reduce the amount of erosion on river banks from the wash of ferries. Australia has developed specific designs to address these environmental problems.
Key Australian Shipbuilders:
�� Richardson & Devine
�� Brisbane Ship Constructions
�� Norman R Wright & Sons
�� Yamba Welding & Engineering
www.rdm.com.au
www.bscship.com.au
www.wrightsons.com.au
www.ywe.com.au
Hovercraft Ferries
Hovercraft are widely used in specialised applications, such as in swampy areas, over ice or in river and estuary systems which possess limited jetty/dock infrastructure. Australia currently possesses one company Mariah Hovercraft whom is an active exporter.
Key Australian Builder:
�� Mariah Hovercraft
www.mariah.com.au
Australian Fast Ferry Designers
While all Australian Fast Ferry builders have in-house design services there are also Australian specialist designers whom also design for these builders and export their services internationally.
Key Australian Designer:
�� Spear Green Design (interior fitout) www.speargreen.com.au
Further information, visit www.austrademarine.gov.au
Contact email: marine@austrade.gov.au or phone: +61 (0)3 9648 3170

AIMEX Activities

The main activity of AIMEX is marine export development through five primary functions.

1. International promotional activities and image building, gaining international attention, presenting a united international Team Australia Image, cost sharing and representation at major boat shows, professional promotion of marine products & boating services, maintaining exposure in boat buyers guides, promotional boating literature and a shared site on the internet.
2. Dissemination of market intelligence and contract opportunities, including joint ventures on larger projects and sharing of international marketing information that will increase individual members chances of success and minimise the associated costs.
3. Acting as a national, state and regional forum where constraints and issues affecting the competitiveness of the marine export industry can be raised and input given to the various government bodies.
4. The Marine Export Group is not a profit making concern in its own right, but is one which has the intention of increasing the sales & profitability of its members through additional overseas market opportunities, market positioning, cost sharing in market development and promotion, boat shows, symposiums and missions, and minimising purchasing, manufacturing and transport costs, through cooperation and rationalisation.
5. The key objective is to achieve a growth rate in export sales as a group of 15% to 20% per annum over the next five years. We can assist overseas buyers by putting them in contact with Australian manufacturers who meet their requirements, and we can provide contacts with the Australian Trade Commissioners in their countries.