Chairman’s Message 28 June 2024
The first Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2024 was a milestone event for the Asia-Pacific superyacht community. Organised by Superyacht Times (SYT), APSA was a Supporting Partner and the Summit that was rated as an overwhelming success. With 175 local and overseas delegates in attendance there was no shortage of support for this inaugural event.
APSA had a strong showing with three ASPA Committee members participating in panel discussion; Joe Yuen, Gordon Fernandes and Antony Cowie, and 10 other APSA members joining the impressive line-up of local and international speakers and panellists. Well done to James Clayton, Glenn Armstrong, Andy Shorten, Colin Dawson, Andrew Pitchford, Lies Sol, Mark Woodmansey, Jonathan Sit, David Good and Captain Nigel Tang for your participation and support of this inaugural event, which showed the professional face of the Asia-Pacific superyacht community. A full report of the two-day programme is included in this newsletter, and it yes is a long read but it is well worth the effort. SYT has sent out a survey to summit delegates, so please do follow up and fill this in as it will assist with the planning of the 2025 edition. If you were not there the YouTube video will give you an overview of the event.
One of the important takeaways from the Summit was the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report, and APSA looks forward to building on this data, and the momentum that the Summit generated. ASPA will be doing follow up interviews with the members who attended the summit, and a special edition of the APSA Guide which was printed and distributed at the Summit and is now available on the APSA website. Please download and share with any superyacht captains or crew who are visiting or planning to visit the Asia-Pacific region.
Other stories in this newsletter includes Massimo Perotti vision for Sanlorenzo in Asia-Pacific region, as he expects to see significant expansion in Southeast Asia and the Chinese markets over the next ten years. Burgess is delighted to announce a new partnership in China with Wanda Yacht Management and Club Reign, both part of Wanda Hotels & Resorts. With that partnership, Shanghai-based Wanda Yacht Management GM Leo Yang also becomes Burgess’ Chief Representative in China. There are also more Asian events coming up in the second half of the year and they include; The Superyacht Gathering in Port Denarau Marina taking place from August 27th to 30th, 2024, and the Thailand Charter Show organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association, being held at Phuket Yacht Haven from the 1st to the 3rd of November, 2024. Also in January 2025, the Thailand International Yacht Show will be changing venues and will be held at Phuket Yacht Haven, and APSA is a Supporting Partner.
Finally, a special thanks to our sponsors of the Asia Superyacht Night in Hong Kong; Maritime Cook Islands, Gulf Craft, Fema Marine and the Hong Kong Boating Industry who came onboard to support the closing event of the Summit. It was a great industry gathering of over 150 local and international yachting industry professionals. Held at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the conversations flowed as did the sunset drinks, and standing on the balcony overlooking the magnificent skyline of Victoria Harbour is hard to beat. Thank to Gordon Fernandes for being the MC for the evening, as I could not be there, and don’t forget to ‘Save the Date’ in your calendar for the next APSA event, the ‘Asia Superyacht Night’ Monaco on Tuesday 24 September 2024 at the Novotel Monaco, where the Committee look forward to seeing you.
Best Regards
Nigel Beatty