What Is Marina Engineering? Designing Resilient, Functional & Modern Marinas

As global demand grows for resilient, functional, and modern marinas, the role of expert marina engineering has never been more crucial. At International Coastal Management (ICM), we bring over 35 years of global experience in coastal and waterfront infrastructure design, blending technical expertise with real-world insights to deliver high-performance, cost-effective marina solutions.

From yacht clubs to large commercial marina hubs, we work alongside marina owners and operators, marine contractors, suppliers, and specialists to create marinas that are not only functional and highly usable, but adaptable to evolving environmental and commercial pressures.

What Is Marina Engineering?

Marina engineering focuses on the planning, design, construction, and long-term management of marina facilities. As vessel sizes continue to increase globally, marinas are becoming more complex. A modern marina must balance structural durability, environmental sensitivity, usability, and cost-efficiency, while responding to dynamic coastal and tidal conditions.

Why Expert Engineering Makes a Difference

The risks of poor marina design are high. Without a strategic engineering approach, marinas can face:

Sedimentation issues requiring constant dredging
Wave impacts that damage pontoons or limit usability
Poor vessel access or turnaround space
Service shortfalls (power, water, fuel, sewage)
Cost overruns and retrofits

At ICM, our marina engineering consultants work with our clients from day one to avoid these risks, building high-performing, low-maintenance marinas from the ground up.

ICM’s Approach to Marina Projects

Every marina is different - and that’s where ICM’s deep understanding of coastal systems comes in. We don’t sell products; we develop solutions tailored to your marina development plan, your goals, and your vessel mix.

Whether designing a new marina or upgrading an existing marina, our core services include:

Wave Climate & Exposure Assessment

We analyse local wave conditions to determine whether breakwaters or wave attenuation structures are needed. This assists calm, operable waters in variable weather conditions, critical for protecting marina infrastructure and user safety.

Berth Layout & Navigation Channel Design

Using the latest modelling tools, we design layouts that maximise berthing capacity while ensuring safe manoeuvrability and access for vessels of all sizes, including superyachts. megayachts, single and twin hulls.

Dock & Pontoon System Selection

We recommend floating, fixed, or hybrid dock systems based on tidal range, wave exposure, and marina use, always aiming for the best solution for longevity, stability, and low maintenance.

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

From water quality management to environmental protection, we embed sustainability into every design, helping clients secure permits while protecting marine ecosystems.

Utility Planning & Smart Infrastructure

We review power, water, sullage, and fire services, future-proofing for increasing vessel power demands, superyacht expectations, and marina-wide operational efficiency.

The Evolution of Marina Design

Marina engineering has evolved rapidly in recent decades. Larger vessels, increased tourism, and a shift toward luxury and lifestyle destinations have all pushed marina infrastructure beyond its traditional design limits.

Our founder, Angus Jackson, helped lay the foundation for modern marina design in Australia as a member of the original Australian Standards Committee for marina guidelines in 1991. These standards (AS3962) remain a national benchmark today.

Global Expertise, Local Understanding

From the United Arab Emirates to regional Australia, ICM has delivered marina engineering projects in some of the world’s most dynamic coastal settings. Our team understands how to balance:

The needs of operators and vessel owners
Changing coastal and estuarine conditions
Environmental and regulatory constraints
Long-term cost-efficiency and buildability

Marina engineering is more than design, it’s about ensuring the long-term resilience, safety, and success of a valuable community and economic asset. With rising sea levels, growing vessel sizes, and increasing environmental scrutiny, it’s never been more important to get it right.

At ICM, we’re ready to help you plan, build, or upgrade a marina that performs today, and lasts into the future.

Looking to optimise your marina development? Let’s talk.