Chairman’s Message mid-April 2022

There is a lot of change taking place worldwide, and some of this is impacting the superyacht community. It is important to remain positive and focused to continue to build a strong and supportive industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia Pacific Superyachts is pleased to announce that Malaysia is now open to fully vaccinated travelers. YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia said, “We are delighted with the latest government announcement concerning the resumption of international travel and look forward to engaging with airlines and travel trade to ramp up marketing efforts to promote Malaysia as a safe travel destination.”

This newsletter features several interviews, starting with James Humphreys who grew up in the Cook Islands. James talks about his passion for the ocean, and why the Cook Islands have a growing role - especially with Australian superyacht owners who find the Cook Island registration scheme an attractive option. Godfrey Zwygart, another APSA member, has just been made the China representative for Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA), thereby ensuring that GMBA can continue to service clients with quality market information. Godfrey is a former captain and chief engineer and has spent a large part of his life in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. Originally trained at the French Naval Academy, he served as an Officer on both military and merchant navy ships, and Captain on superyachts up to 50m.

The next event on the APSA calendar is the ASMEX Conference, which will held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort at the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia from 16-18 May 2022. Suzy Rayment, our Executive Director, is currently in Melbourne will be attending the conference. She is looking forward to catching up with you if you are planning to attend this event. Please let her know if you or any of your colleagues will be attending. Several other APSA members will be attending the conference, Including Kenta Inaba from SYL Japan who will be one of the speakers.

Please keep us posted on any events you have coming up as the Asia-Pacific region continues to open and loosen Covid restrictions - that is, apart from China who retain their ‘dynamic Covid-zero’ policy.