APSA Chairman’s Message 20 February 2026
Dear APSA Members and Friends
As the Luna New Year celebrations conclude APSA extends our best wishes to all our members for the Year of the Horse. At the beginning of February APSA attended the Hainan FTP Yachting & Coastal Holiday Forum which was part of a month-long ‘Clear Water Bay Get Away Season’ in Sanya, China. APSA members speaking at the forum included Martin Lo (Cheoy Lee), Jonathan Sit (One15˚ Marina), Joe and Yuen (Lodestone Yachts), and thanks go to Mally Xiao (Hainan Yaqing International Marina Co) and Ronnie Wang for supporting APSA’s involvement in this inaugural event.
APSA is pleased to welcome onboard another new member – Southern Sky AI – an Australian-based consultancy supporting superyacht and maritime organisations in adopting artificial intelligence and digital systems securely, strategically, and responsibly.
Damen Yachting was excited to announce the first hull arrival of 2026 and the latest Amels 80 arrived in Vlissingen following the successful launch from Amels’ hull building facility in Galati, Romania. This revolutionary 80m Amels Limited Editions design will now undergo final outfitting and is available for delivery in 2027.
APSA will be attending the Sydney Charter Show (22-23 February), and the Australia Superyacht Conference (24 February). Several APSA members are onboard as sponsors and exhibitors, including Ankor Software and Echo Yachts (Platinum Partners), Pantaenius (Gold Partners), Benetti, Maritime Cook Islands, Port Denarau, Sevenstar Yacht Transport, and APSA (Silver Sponsors).
Superyacht Australia (SA) invites all APSA Members to attend the Australian Superyacht Conference (the day following the Sydney Charter Show), also at Jones Bay Wharf, at SA Member Rates. If you are planning to attend either the Show or Conference, please let Suzy Rayment know by emailing [marketing@apsuperyacht.org](mailto:marketing@apsuperyacht.org)
Other stories this month include Horizon Yachts launch of the first FD100 Skyline which is destined for the Australian market, and making its official global debut at the 2026 Horizon Open House, Benetti yachts B.Neos which is inspired by sailing with hybrid propulsion at its core and Superyacht Crew Academy (SCA), in partnership with Sydney Maritime Institute (SMI), is pleased to announce the launch of their newly approved AMSA CoST STCW course.
A finally, a reminder to all APSA members to make sure that we have your correct company information and logos on file for the new APSA website which will be going live in the next few months. The new website will allow for more streamlining of administration procedures, and more automation to help APSA embrace the new world of AI.
As we gallop into the year 2026 APSA wishes you and your team a year marked by vitality, bold moves, and unmatched success! It is going to be a very special year for APSA as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary in 2026!
Best Wishes
Nigel Beatty
(APSA Chairman)