Chairman’s Message, 30 April 2025
The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA) was well represented at the Southeast Asia Yachting Conference and the Singapore Yachting Festival (SYF) in April this year. With three APSA Committee members and over 50 members involved as speakers, delegated, exhibitors, and visitors, it was a great networking event. As a Supporting Partner, APSA was also actively involved in the new Superyacht Lounge, and everyone agreed that it was a great addition to the Festival for the superyacht community.
The next event on the agenda is the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit (APSS) 7- 8 May in Hong Kong. APSA is again a Supporting Partner of this event, organised by Superyacht Times, and APSA is excited to welcome over 100+ APSA members who will be involved as speakers, panellists and delegates. APSA and the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association (HKBIA) are co-organising a post-conference Asia Superyacht Night on 8 May, and the sunset cocktails will be held on the Rooftop of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. All APSA, HKBIA and APSS delegates are invited to attend: please register your attendance at marketing@superyacht.org Many thanks go to our sponsors: Cowie and Co, Fema Marine, Maritime Cook Islands, Cheoy Lee, YachtEye and Superyacht Times.
This month APSA is proud to welcome four new members: Boat Lagoon Yachting, Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, Hilda Loe Associates, and Specialised Marine - along with another Affiliate Association, the Korea Marine Industry Association. Boat Lagoon Yachting is one of Asia’s largest and most reputable yacht importation, distribution, and after-sales service organisations, representing some of the world’s most prestigious yacht brands. Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club is a resort-style private club located in the heart of the Hong Kong Gold Coast resort complex, which includes a 5-star resort hotel, an exciting outdoor shopping mall, and a superb collection of luxury seaview apartments and villas. Hilda Loe Associates is based in Singapore, providing offshore company formation services, nominee services, bank introductions, and yacht registration. Specialised Marine, based in Hong Kong, provides comprehensive marine solutions for superyacht owners and operators throughout the Asia-Pacific region. More information on each member can be found in the newsletter
Other news this month comes from Praxis, and looks at why crew and safety management are so very important. Giles Sedgman, Head of Yacht Management at Praxis, looks at the critical role of a Designated Person Ashore (DPA) who ensures that the yachts and crew management operates at the highest safety standards. Other news comes from StellarPM who are delighted to announce the signing of a new construction contract for the second ST108 from its StellarONE series of motoryachts. Finally, congratulations to Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) on their 25th Anniversary. This iconic shipyard and long-term APSA member redefined Australia’s marine industry by boldly transforming Gold Coast farming paddocks into an internationally renowned ‘one-stop-shop’ for vessel refit and repair. Sorry we will not be there to celebrate on 2 May, but our thoughts and best wishes are with Trent and the GCCM team!
I will be at the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit this time next week, and look forward to catching up with the APSA members present, and then at the Asia Superyacht Night (Hong Kong) for a sunset cocktail on the rooftop of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - the perfect place to network with the superyacht community and watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour!
Best Regards
Nigel Beatty
APSA Chairman