Chairman’s Message 31 May 2022

The superyacht community is back in action with live events being held around the world. Three major boating events were held back-to-back at the end of May in Queensland: the ASMEX Conference, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, and Marinas22. At the annual conference for the Superyacht, Marine Export and Commercial Marine Industries (ASMEX) David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia, presented an independent economic study that indicates that the superyacht industry will deliver $1.8b and over 7,600 jobs for the Olympics happening in Brisbane in 2032.

A full report on these three events will be included in the next APSA newsletter.

Other news-making headlines concern the opening up of Asia-Pacific to superyachts who want to cruise South-East Asia – particularly Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The South Pacific is another hotspot of superyacht activity; from August 2022, luxury yachts cruising and chartering in the South Pacific will have the benefit of coordinated yachting procedures between Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tahiti when undertaking extended stays in the region.

While not strictly a yachting event, the Monaco Grand Prix which is sometimes regarded at the kick off to the Mediterranean season, saw Monaco packed with hundreds of superyachts and many more anchored offshore. It was said that hundreds more were on the waiting list to be docked in Port Hercules. APSA members YACHTZOO were busy with 2 hospitality events to Captains and Owners at their large office is right next to the track and a YACHTZOO terrace on the start finish straight, as well as sponsoring a huge street party in La Condamine.

Finally, congratulations to APSA member Aashim Mongia, CEO of West Coast Marine Yacht Services in Sri Lanka. M/Y Kalizma was announced my BOAT International as the winner of a Judges’ Special Award and was also nominated for the Best Rebuilt Superyacht Award. “The Kalizma is part of yachting history,” said Mongia. “Our team of trained specialists worked tirelessly with Cpt. Saini to execute the design conceptualised by Mr. Saraf and Palazzo Morelli. My team and I feel truly honoured to have been entrusted to rebuild such an iconic superyacht.”

We are looking forward to the summer season in the northern hemisphere, but a year-round season means anytime is the perfect time to cruise in the Asia-Pacific, which is what makes it so special. Wonderful yachts combined with great destinations are the way forward for the Asia-Pacific superyacht community, and this region is starting to make headlines around the world.

See you on the water.