Boat Builder Awards honours achievements across four continents
This year’s 10th anniversary Boat Builder Awards saw Gulf Craft’s Mohammed Hussein AlShaali honoured for Lifetime Achievement, IMPACD Yachts founder Marieke de Boer named as 2024 Rising Star, the Jakopin brothers commended as Designers of the Year and boatbuilding companies and their supply chain partners from 15 countries celebrated for their striking achievements.
The Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement is jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE and held in association with long-standing partner, Raymarine. This year 97 nominations were accepted for final consideration across 11 categories that reflect key industry priorities – innovation, customer growth, sustainability and people and skills. A total of 31 companies were shortlisted as finalists, with 11 winners and three honourable mentions named at last night’s spectacular dinner and awards ceremony.
Amsterdam Maritime Museum’s starlit covered courtyard was once again the scene of much celebration as new history was made amongst the old. Guests were taken on a culinary and visual journey through several centuries of maritime and cultural development as they applauded winners of every size of business from start-ups to multi-nationals and every generation from apprentices to those with four decades of service to the industry.
The full list of winners, honourable mentions and finalists, together with judges’ comments, can be seen below and viewed on the Boat Builder Awards website – www.ibinews.com/bba2024
IBI editor in chief and chair of the Boat Builder Awards judges, Ed Slack, commented: “It hardly seems possible that we have already just celebrated a decade of the Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement. We launched this initiative with METSTRADE in 2015, sharing the belief that individuals and companies within the global yacht construction sector deserved greater recognition for their advances and achievements.
“Over the last 10 years the awards have charted the industry’s increasing sophistication, COVID resilience and energetic post pandemic response. Moving into the mid 2020s things are changing again. This year’s awards have thrown a spotlight on how the industry is finding brilliantly innovative ways to improve sustainability, meet changing customer demographics and expand its talent pool.”
METSTRADE Director Niels Klarenbeek continues: "The Boat Builder Awards has quickly become a key component of METSTRADE’s expansive programme. The health of the entire marine industry relies on a successful yacht construction and refit sector. Teams from all the major boat and superyacht shipyards around the world have, once again, been hard at work this year, amidst METSTRADE’s nearly 1,600 exhibitors, discovering, researching, and purchasing the products that will contribute to their next successful launches.
"The Boat Builder Awards offers METSTRADE and IBI a fantastic opportunity to give back to this invaluable part of our maritime community. Each year, we pause from our busy schedules to recognise often uncelebrated individual and company achievements, turning them into high-profile life memories, permanently etched into the blueprints of our industry. Our congratulations go to the winners and finalists of this year’s special edition of the Boat Builder Awards."
Boat Builder Awards 2024 Winners
Breakthrough Launch of the Year
Sponsored by High Pressure Watermakers
WINNER – Sunseeker International – Ocean 156
Judges’ summary – the large motor yacht segment is seeing bold developments in living spaces and hull design that would have been unthinkable not long ago. Our three finalists all represent brilliant examples of a change of shift for their respective manufacturers. In the end the Ocean 156 was named as representing the biggest breakthrough of this trio in terms of its potential to attract a different range of owners to the Sunseeker badge.
Finalist – Azimut Yachts – Seadeck Series yachts
Finalist – Pearl Yachts – Pearl 82
Innovative Design Solution
Sponsored by Fusion
WINNER – Faro Boats – Powerdock
Judges’ summary – a difficult decision for the judges with truly impressive layout features from Azimut and WiderCat and plenty of innovative ideas on the multirole B-Craft Akoya. But the judges kept returning to the Powerdock, liking the way it complemented infrastructure requirements for smaller electric boats and how it would work particularly well in warmer climates to preserve the boat and minimise the need for cleaning.
Finalist – Azimut Yachts – Fly 62 Beach Cockpit
Finalist – B-Craft – Akoya multi-use design features
Finalist – WiderCat – WiderCat 92 seamless interior and exterior layout
Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner
WINNER – Azimut and Volvo Penta –IPS Drive hybrid system
Judges’ summary – In this pilot project, Azimut Benetti’s R&D department worked closely together with Volvo Penta to introduce the first ever hybrid-electric version of the IPS Drive on Azimut’s new Seadeck 7. Trials have continued through 2024 to optimise the installation. The Seadeck 7 can cruise in pure electric mode up to 11 knots and anchor with zero emissions for up to 12 hours.
Honourable Mention – Cantiere del Pardo and NLComp – Grand Soleil Blue
Honourable Mention – Sanlorenzo and Siemens Reformer – green methanol to hydrogen fuel cell system
Finalist – Zerojet and Prestol Composites – Spark Boat electric tender
Retail Marketing Initiative
WINNER – Manitou by BRP – Kirk Cousins Campaign
Judges’ summary – the North American pontoon market is highly competitive, and market differentiators are important. The Boat Builder Awards recognised Manitou in 2022 for lifting its boats out of the crowd through innovative design features, but this marketing campaign adds another facet. Drawing a strong connection with NFL Quarterback, Kirk Cousins has tangibly raised the profile of the business – the camera work and natural enjoyment of the Cousins family is great at selling boating too.
Finalist – Brunswick EU Venture Group – rapid response digital campaign
Finalist – Simpson Marine Group – marketing initiatives
Sustainability Project of the Year
Sponsored by ePropulsion Technology
WINNER – Williams Jet Tenders – sustainability programme
Judges’ summary – Each of the finalists in this category have influential projects of great merit and it was not an easy decision to pick one over the others. After much debate, the judges decided to highlight Williams Jet Tenders’ multi-faceted efforts to reduce its environmental impact. We particularly applauded the establishment by this 140-employee business of a well-crafted annual sustainability report and its commencement of full life cycle assessments for its models.
Honourable Mention – Sunreef Yachts – structural foam from recycled PET bottles
Finalist – Beneteau Group – Island Cruising Concept
Finalist – ICOMIA – Propelling Our Future initiative
Eco-focused Boat of the Year – under 10m LOA
WINNER – De Antonio Yachts – E23
Judges’ summary – De Antonio Yachts has cleverly taken design themes from the larger monohull models in its range, but the E23 is in fact a foil-assisted electric outboard powered catamaran, the first in this company’s history. It enjoyed a high-profile launch thanks to being selected as the official electric boat of the recent America’s Cup. De Antonio has now entered series production with this model.
Finalist – IMPACD Boats – IMPACD 680
Finalist – Riva – El-Iseo
Eco-focused Boat of the Year – over 10m LOA
Sponsored by JL Audio
WINNER – Beneteau Group – Island Cruising Concept
Judges’ summary – What boat would you design if you created it to match peoples’ real world boating experiences? This is precisely the way in which Beneteau created its Island Cruising Concept, drawing on a lot of data from boat users over the summer and letting that inform a design that meets their most likely needs and usage habits. The result is very different to the yachts that many are using today and thought-provoking for Beneteau and the wider industry.
Finalist – HanseYachts – Hanse 410
Finalist – Greenline Yachts – Greenline 58
Designer of the Year
WINNER – Japec and Jernej Jakopin, co-founders, J&J Design
Judges’ summary – Japec and Jernej Jakopin have been a major force in the world of design and boat production since 1983. Their company, J&J Design, has been involved with close to 400 projects from 70 boatbuilders across 30 countries, resulting in the production of 75,000 boats and yachts from 10m to 150m in length. Today its office has 24 naval architects, designers and engineers, and operates a tooling, milling and prototyping operation with 45 technicians and two 20 metre milling machines.
While our Designers of the Year have received credit for many innovative projects, they have also had significant behind-the-scenes input on other production boats. Japec and Jernej have deep hands-on knowledge of all elements of boat production and were early pioneers in carbon epoxy and hybrid power technologies. The judges are pleased to honour the Jakopin brothers for their remarkable career and influence across a wide part of the boatbuilding industry.
People and Skills Development
WINNER – Riviera Australia – Academy of Excellence
Judges’ summary – Riviera’s dedication to training the next generation of boat builders is obvious. One sixth of the company’s 900 workers are apprentices who are now supported by a first-class onsite Academy of Excellence teaching multiple trades and supporting personal development. By any measure this is an impressive programme and an exemplar for boat builders across the world.
Finalist – Marine and Specialised Training Academy (MAST)
Finalist – Williams Jet Tenders – apprenticeship scheme
Rising Star
Sponsored by Lumishore
Marieke de Boer, founder, IMPACD Yachts
Judges’ summary – Less than four years ago Marieke de Boer left a safe job within the fast-moving consumer goods sector for the uncertainty of becoming a boat builder with a mission to use sustainable but unproven manufacturing techniques and materials. The company she founded has gone on to create a complete range of electrically powered 3D printed motor launches between 4.7m and 6.8m. Around 45 boats have rolled off this future-focused production line so far, establishing viability and market acceptance for something completely new to boat buyers.
Marieke is a passionate believer in sustainable manufacturing. She shares her knowledge with enthusiasm and has spoken at many marine and wider industry events and since 2021 has guided around 40 university students on their research into life cycle assessments and recycled plastics. This must surely be just the start of a very impressive journey for this personable and determined sustainable boat building advocate.
Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Sleipner Group
Mohammed Hussein AlShaali – Gulf Craft
Judges’ summary – Born in Ajman, UAE in 1950, Mohammed Alshaali has been widely recognised all around the world as an inspirational businessman who has greatly influenced the adoption of recreational boating as a popular pastime in his home region. He is also a retired diplomat with more than 35 years of experience in international relations, who served as his country's Ambassador in New York, Washington, Geneva, Canada and Mexico, and as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Coming from a long line of seafarers, fishermen, and pearl divers, the ocean is deeply embedded in Mohammed Alshaali’s DNA. Driven by a lifelong passion for boating, he co-founded Gulf Craft back in 1982, introducing more affordable leisure boating to his country, initially through building small sports fishing boats. His business expanded greatly over the four decades since, growing into one of the world’s top 15 yacht manufacturers, specialising in luxury superyachts. His leadership steered the business through numerous challenges, including the political turmoil of the 1980s, the 2007 recession, and the pandemic.
Today, Gulf Craft operates a fully integrated design and production facility across three strategically located shipyards, manufacturing boats and yachts ranging from 31 to 175 feet. Over the past 42 years, it has delivered more than 12,000 vessels worldwide.
Mohammed Alshaali continues to work full-time and maintains personal relationships with customers, fostering deep loyalty to his company’s brand. He is a true mentor, sharing his four decades of boat-building expertise with Gulf Craft’s employees. He also champions workplace diversity, with employees from 32 different nationalities. Each team member is encouraged to develop their skills, take on leadership roles, and, most importantly, have their voice heard.
The judges were unanimous in their decision to select Mohammed Alshaali as the 10th name on our incredible roll call of Boat Builder Awards Lifetime Achievement recipients.
Lifetime Achievement previous recipients
Paolo Vitelli – Azimut Benetti (2015)
Robert Braithwaite, CBE – Sunseeker International (2016)
David King – Princess Yachts (2017)
Annette Roux – Beneteau Group (2018)
Robert T Healey Sr and William J Healey – Viking Yachts (2019)
Christoph Rassy – Hallberg-Rassy (2020)
Leon Slikkers – Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit (2021)
John Lu – Horizon Yachts (2022)
Massimo Perotti – Sanlorenzo (2023)
