British Marine members once again demonstrated the strength and capability of the UK marine sector at Metstrade 2025 (18–20 November), with a strong exhibition presence, industry recognition and high levels of engagement throughout the three-day event.
Thousands of marine professionals from across the globe attended this year’s show at the RAI Amsterdam, reinforcing Metstrade’s position as the key international platform for marine innovation, business development and collaboration.
Representing a diverse and innovative cross-section of the UK leisure marine industry, this year, 36 British Marine members exhibited within the British Pavilion in Hall 3, with a further five members exhibiting in the new Superyacht UK Pavilion in the expanded Superyacht Zone (Hall 8). The new SYUK Pavilion proved a great success with members. With prime placement alongside key global pavilions, the new flyover walkway, the Superyacht Arena, and the Captain’s Club fine dining restaurant, it delivered unparalleled visibility and consistently high footfall, enhanced by engaging video coverage of member stands shared across British Marine and SYUK channels.
The three-day show opened with the Breakfast Briefing and the announcement of the 2025 DAME Design Award winners. Seven British Marine members were shortlisted across multiple categories celebrating excellence in marine product design and innovation.
Congratulations to Garmin, who won the Safety & Security Aboard category for the Garmin OnBoard System and to Henri-Lloyd for their special mention in the Personal Equipment category for Ocean Pro.
In response to their category win Mattias Däldborg, Senior Marketing Manager for Europe, at Garmin commented: “We are very delighted to win a DAME award with the Garmin On Board System. It means a lot to us, to our engineers and our developer.”
Wednesday morning kicked off with the return of the ‘Women in the Marine Industry International’ networking and panel discussion. Co-hosted by British Marine, Soundings Trade Only, Metstrade, and Marine Industry News, and supported by Barton Marine, the event attracted over 160 women and men eager to hear from a panel of dynamic female leaders.
The panel, featured Áine Denari, Executive Vice President & President, Navico Group; Chief Technology Officer, Brunswick Corporation, Andrea Tetto, Director, Marine Business Planning, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, Suzanne Blaustone, CEO, Barton Marine and Sylvie Ernoult, Show Director, Cannes Yachting Festival and was moderated by Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of Soundings Trade Only Group, who guided a rich discussion full of practical insight and real-world leadership perspectives.
Focusing on the theme ‘Navigating Today’s Global Market’, the panel shared their personal journey and their views on how the marine industry can continue to innovate and grow through resilience, collaboration, and diverse leadership.
Reflecting on the event, Lesley Robinson commented, “This year’s Women in the Marine Industry International event was once again a tremendous success. The calibre of speakers and the depth of discussion underscored the importance of inclusive events like this. It was fantastic to see the strong turnout and the appetite for dialogue on the future of our industry.”
Superyacht UK also started Wednesday morning with a dedicated breakfast for members, which provided an excellent opportunity for the exhibitors to connect, strengthen collaboration and discuss ways to enhance the collective impact of the UK’s presence in the Superyacht Zone.
Heading into the afternoon and Superyacht UK took centre stage as Vice President Ken Hickling lead a session exploring how Superyacht UK members are integrating new technological solutions across superyacht design, build, and operation to elevate performance, sustainability, and the overall guest experience on the Superyacht Stage.
To round off the day, British Marine hosted its annual networking reception on the British Marine stand. The event brought together exhibitors, visiting members, and key industry stakeholders for an informal gathering. With complimentary refreshments, lively conversations, and a fantastic atmosphere, the reception was the perfect opportunity to strengthen connections, celebrate successes, and unwind after a busy day at the show.
Speaking at the reception British Marine President-Elect, Lyndsay McClay highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration and supporting the international growth of UK marine businesses.
Later that evening, the spotlight turned to the 11th annual Boat Builder Awards. This year’s event saw four British Marine members earning nominations for their outstanding contributions, with X-Yachts clinching Breakthrough Launch of the Year for the XR-41 and Groupe Beneteau with partners Veolia, Composite Recycling, Arkema, Owens Corning & Chomarat claiming Sustainability Project of the Yearfor their circular economy model for composite manufacturing. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. We’re proud to see British Marine members leading the way and inspiring positive change across the global marine sector.
Throughout the show, the British Marine stand served as a central hub for networking, meetings, and business opportunities, with complimentary refreshments provided throughout. British Marine representatives were also on hand throughout to support exhibitors and ensure members made the most of their time at Metstrade.
Lesley concluded by saying: “Metstrade is the world’s premier marine trade show, and we are proud to offer our members an exceptional platform to connect with global buyers, showcase their innovations, and expand their market reach. The positive feedback and level of engagement at the British Pavilion speak volumes about the value of our presence here.”
