Chairman’s Message 14 May 2024

There is a good deal going on in Asia, and it was good to see so many APSA members at the Singapore Yachting Festival 2024, which was bigger and busier than last year, and saw the return of superyachts to the festival. APSA’s schedule continues to be busy with the ASMEX 2024 Conference (21-22 May) and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) (23-26 May) and the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit (5-6 June) at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong.

Superyacht launches at SCIBS will include the Horizon FD90, a fast-cruising yacht crafted specially for the Australian yachting market, that fuses modern design and unrivalled performance. And there is also the Gulf Craft Nomad 101 which sports vast flybridge sunbathing areas, and private terraces that provide opportunities for outdoor relaxation and entertainment to provide the perfect cruising platform for Australia and its coastline.

APSA will be hosting an informal networking lunch at SCIBS on Thursday 23 May in the ASMEX Garden.

Committee Member Gordon Fernandes will be attending and extends an invitation to all APSA members and friends to join. Please register with Suzy Rayment at admin@apsuperyacht.org to book your seat.

Hong Kong is next on the calendar, with Superyacht Times presenting the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit (5-6 June) at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong.  This inaugural event is a milestone for the superyacht industry in Asia. APSA is delighted to be a Supporting Partner and especially to seeing so many members participating as panellists and include: Gordon Fernandes (Asia Pacific Superyachts), Mark Woodmansey (Burgess), Joe Yuen (Lodestone Yachts), Glen Armstrong (Maritime Cook Islands), Lies Sol (Northrop & Johnson Asia), Jonathan Sit (One˚15 Marina), James Clayton (Simpson Superyachts), David Good (Superyacht Australia), Colin Dawson (The George Group/Howden), Andy Shorten (The Lighthouse Consultancy) and Capt Nigel Tang (M/Y Nonni).

APSA continues its steady growth with two new members joining in May. Gulf Craft FZC is based in Dubai and is one of the world’s fully integrated yacht and boat manufacturers, with a proven track-record in designing and delivering high-quality, award-winning yachts. Their diverse range of yachts and boats span from 32 to 175 feet, under six distinct brands that cater to a broad spectrum of clientele: Majesty Yachts, Nomad Yachts, Oryx Sports Cruisers, Silvercraft and SilverCAT family, along with fishing boats, and Touring Passenger Vessels.

Our other new APSA member is Creation Co., Ltd. Creation was established in 1984 by Yukio Shintani and from their base in Osaka, Japan, has grown over the subsequent 40 years to be Japan’s leading independent yachting company, whom I have worked for the past 25 years. Creation has been a dealer for Horizon Yachts for 35 years, along with numerous other boating brands. Creation’s brokerage operations have done business in the Americas, Europe and many parts of the Asia and Pacific region. Creation has brokered or built the largest new and used yachts under Japanese ownership, and the company has its own service yard to provides after-sales service and assisting yacht owners with the regular maintenance, repairs, and operations.

There is plenty to keep everyone busy before the summer break, but later in the year make sure you ‘Save the Date’ for the APSA Asia Superyacht Night (Monaco) on 24 September 2024. It is gratifying to see the Asia-Pacific fully back on stream, and APSA looks forward to supporting the growth of the superyacht sector in the world’s three main cruising regions.

Best Regards,

Nigel Beatty APSA Chairman