Thirty-six companies and individuals from 14 countries have been nominated for this year’s Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement 2023, in association with Raymarine.

An international panel of 10 subject matter experts selected the 33 shortlisted nominees from 90 entries across the 11 categories.

Taking place on Thursday 16 November 2023 at Amsterdam’s historic Maritime Museum, the Boat Builder Awards are jointly organised by IBI and METSTRADE in association with Raymarine, to reward the outstanding business achievements of individuals and teams working across the worldwide leisure boat and superyacht sector.

“The IBI METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards remains uniquely focused on the essential behind-the-scenes ingredients that make the global yacht manufacturing industry successful,” says chair of the judging panel and IBI editor, Ed Slack.

“This year the standout growth area was in entries covering our two sustainability categories, an indicator that the sector is rapidly moving up the bell curve in its efforts from early pioneering environmental projects towards driving lifecycle approaches into a business-as-usual reality. The incidence of innovative younger businesses making an impact is another striking theme.

“Our awards evening will reflect the great strength of manufacturers large and small, as well as the individuals and teams that make them what they are today.”

METSTRADE director, Niels Klarenbeek, comments: “The Boat Builder Awards, supported by our long-standing partner Raymarine, is one of the traditional highlights of METSTRADE. This year’s strong field of entries from four continents reflects the truly international standing of the Boat Builder Awards. We look forward to welcoming guests to the magnificent National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam on Thursday 16 November as we celebrate the very best of the best boat building and superyacht yard business achievements for 2023.”

The awards evening will culminate with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Boat Builder Awards 2023 Shortlist:

Customer of Tomorrow

Axopar – x Agapi Boat Club

RAND Boats – in partnership with GoBoat Connect

TYDE – The Icon

Breakthrough Launch of the Year – Sponsored by High Pressure Watermakers

HH Catamarans – HH44

Prestige Yachts – M-Line

Sunseeker International – Superhawk 55

TYDE – The Icon

Innovative Design Solution – Sponsored by Fusion

Artemis Technologies – eFoiler – foiling pilot boat

Ferretti Yachts – INFYNITO 90 – All-Season Terrace, main deck layout, country kitchen and FSEA technology

HH Catamarans – HH44 – Eco-drive system

Sunseeker International – Superhawk 55 – aft deck and helm layout

TYDE – The Icon – glazing, flight control, digital helm, safety features and sound system

Supply Chain Collaboration – production boats – Sponsored by Ultraflex

Highfield Boats and Zerojet –EJET 330 electric RIB

Nautique Boat Company and Scanstrut – magnetic charger for 2024 ski boats

Princess Yachts, Whisper Power and Sleipner –  X80 and Y80 E2 Hotel Battery Pack

Supply Chain Collaboration – superyachts

BSS and Lürssen – HISAC

CRN, RINA Services and Weichai-Ballard – SUP-Y: Sustainable Powered Yacht

Sustainability Project of the Year – Sponsored by ePropulsion

Amer Yachts – Go Slowly campaign

Azimut | Benetti Group – adoption of biofuel

Beneteau Group – recycling fibres into new builds

Eco-focused Boat of the Year – Sponsored by Marine Resources

IMPACD Boats – IMPACD 570

Saffier Yachts – Saffier Se 24 Lite

Sunreef Yachts – 80 Sunreef Power ECO

Designer of the Year

Carl Kai Rand – Rand Boats

Christian Gott – Fairline Yachts

Designworks, J&J Design and Tobias Hoffritz, TYDE – collaborators on TYDE The Icon

James Hakes – HH Catamarans

People and Skills Development

Boating Industry Association – Marine Jobs Initiative

British Marine – People & Skills programme

Sunseeker International – Sunseeker Skills Academy

Rising Star – Sponsored by Lumishore

This category celebrates those aged 35 or under, working for a boat builder, making a growing impact on any aspect of their business. The judges’ pick of the global industry’s young talent will be revealed on the evening.

Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Sleipner

In the previous eight years, the Lifetime Achievement award has been presented to:

  • Paolo Vitelli ­– Azimut Benetti
  • Robert Braithwaite, CBE – Sunseeker International
  • David King ­­­– Princess Yachts
  • Annette Roux – Beneteau Group
  • Robert T Healey Sr and William J Healey – Viking Yachts
  • Christoph Rassy – Hallberg-Rassy
  • Leon Slikkers – Slickcraft, S2, Tiara and Pursuit
  • John Lu – Horizon Yachts

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