APSA Chairman’s Message 23 August 2025

Dear APSA Member and friends

It’s just a month until the ‘ASIA SUPERYACHT NIGHT’ Monaco, so we look forward to seeing all our APSA members and friends on Tuesday 23 September at the Novotel Monaco Rooftop. It really is a great way to kick off the Monaco Yacht Show, so please let us know who is planning to attend as this is an INVITATION-ONLY event. Many thanks to our sponsors Fema Marine (Patronage Sponsor), Gold Sponsors (YACHTZOO, Maritime Cook Island, and Charter Itinerary), Silver Sponsors (Frigomar and Setouchi DMO).

We welcome three new members this month. Premium Member Echo Yachts, Australia’s largest 100% custom superyacht manufacturer and comprehensive refit, maintenance and repair specialist, is situated in Henderson near Fremantle in Western Australia. Echo Yachts create bespoke superyachts, explorer yachts, and shadow vessels of any hull type or material, according to each client's exacting requirements. Truly bespoke and a company I have known for many years. It’s great to have them as part of the APSA family.

JSM Yachting is an independent yacht management company, founded in 2015 and offering technical, operational, and financial management services for yacht owners. They specialise in areas such as new build supervision, refit management, safety and compliance, and financial administration. They have offices in Monaco, Palma, Fort Lauderdale, and the UK.

Finally, Charter Itinerary is an industry-leading, all-in-one software for yacht charter professionals. Charter Itinerary (CI) is redefining luxury yachting, trusted by many of the industry's most influential names. Its ground-breaking B2B software is designed exclusively for luxury charter professionals, and built to simplify, elevate, and accelerate every stage of the charter journey. 

Other news this month includes a timely reminder for owners, family offices and yacht managers from our platinum member, Praxis, concerning superyacht insurance. With winter yard periods approaching, and plans taking shape for the season ahead, now is the ideal time to review insurance arrangements that confirm that a yacht's cover is fit for purpose. Fema Marine our Patron Sponsor for the Asia Superyacht Night, has been busy with major refits of some well-known superyachts, and Horizon Yachts Premier Shipyard unveils a new 1,800-ton shiplift system which promises to be a real game-changer, setting a new standard for superyacht services in Asia.

Development Indonesia (MDI), in partnership with PT Pelabuhan Indonesia, successfully installed the first four concrete floating pontoons at Bali Benoa Marina in June 2025. This milestone marks the beginning of the marina’s water-based infrastructure phase, and APSA members Island Sailors Maldives and BWA Yachting proudly announce the opening of BWA Yachting Maldives.

In Hong Kong there has been another 'round table' on the theme of Yachting Tourism and the Yachting Economy, at which senior Government officials and marine industry experts gathered to discuss the further development of yacht tourism in Hong Kong and the positive impact it could have on the local economy.

Leading into September, the mood throughout Asia Pacific is increasingly upbeat, with news of new world-class marinas and changing regulations favouring visiting yachts.  Representing a dozen-plus Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) agencies, Directors are looking forward to sharing news at the APS Stand DS26 (in the air-con Darse Sud Tent) at the Monaco Yacht Show. APSA will be attending Cannes, Monaco, FLIBS and Metstrade, so it is going to be a very busy second half of the year. We very much look forward to connecting to our existing members, and greeting new members at all these events.

A note to all members – please let us know if you are exhibiting or visiting the Cannes and Monaco shows, so that we can get word out to the worldwide industry that you will be there. Sent us exhibitor locations and/or contact details so people can get in touch and visit you!

Keep in contact! Keep sending APSA your news so that we let can let the world know about all the great developments in the Asia-Pacific region, and further promote our fantastic Asia-Pacific cruising grounds and superyacht businesses to the global superyacht community.