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December 2024
Dear APSA Members and Friends
It has been a busy year for APSA, with more events on the calendar than ever before, and 2025 looks to be even busier! We round up with the year with a number of stories that feature new developments, partnerships and expertise in the Asia-Pacific region. Some international news comes from the Praxis Group who have achieved a significant milestone with the international certification of its yacht safety management system, enabling it to serve commercially operating yachts over 500GT. And HFW’s twice-yearly briefing, 'Comprehensively Yachts', provides expert commentary on a range of matters that are of interest and importance to the superyacht industry.
Heysea Yachts, a globally recognized superyacht manufacturer and the top-ranked builder in China, operates a state-of-the-art 66,700 sqm production base in Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province. Located near Macau and Hong Kong, it benefits from the region’s boat-building hub and international shipping routes. With a team of over 200 professionals, including naval architects, marine engineers, and interior designers, Heysea Yachts has over 20 years of expertise in superyacht construction.
Bruhat Logistics Singapore is a logistics company who has an extensive global network and industry expertise making them the best choice for transporting your boats or vessels anywhere in the world. Their expertise spans across handling and transporting boats, yachts, military vessels, marine assets and more. and they have regional offices across Malaysia, India, the United States, the UK, Indonesia, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and several other global locations. Bruhat Logistics are positioned to serve you wherever your business takes you.
Independent professional services group Praxis has achieved a significant milestone with the international certification of its yacht safety management system, enabling it to serve commercially operating yachts over 500GT. The certification, granted through a rigorous Cayman Document of Compliance (DOC) audit, confirms that Praxis' safety management system (SMS) aligns with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
It is once again time for Comprehensively Yachts, HFW’s twice-yearly briefing to the yachting industry. As ever, you will find it contains a range of commentary on matters of interest and importance to the yachting industry. First, after handling a succession of acrimonious charter disputes, several of which might have been avoided, our Monaco office set out a simple, but often surprisingly ignored, list of dos and don’ts for anyone embarking on a charter, whether they be an owner or a charterer.
Sanlorenzo Asia-Pacific is proud to announce the grand opening of Sanlorenzo Vietnam division in collaboration with O2H2O, partnering with Sanlorenzo Asia-Pacific as exclusive Vietnam representative for Sanlorenzo and Bluegame, alongside its private jet brokerage and management services. The event, held on November 24, 2024, at the Hilton Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, marked a significant milestone in expanding luxury yachting and private aviation services in the region.
Azimut|Benetti Group is number one in the production of mega yachts over 24 meters, leading the industry in the Global Order Book 2025, the annual ranking by the reference publication Boat International based on data from 185 shipyards on 5 continents. “Twenty-five years at the top of the sector represent a true ‘record within a record’, a testament to our unwavering entrepreneurial vision which is based on an organic, resilient and sustainable growth strategy aimed at creating durable value that lasts over time.
2024 has been a pivotal year for Gulf Craft, solidifying its reputation as a leading force in the Asia-Pacific luxury yacht market. Gulf Craft Group recently joined the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA), a leading industry association. This strategic alliance enables Gulf Craft to showcase its award-winning yachts to a wider audience in Asia, collaborate on industry advancements with APSA members, and leverage their network to connect with captains, owners, and partners throughout the region.
The wallywhy200 model was unveiled in Hong Kong in December and this innovative yacht represents the second wallywhy200 model with interior décor by Loro Piana Interiors, featuring new fabrics and materials that distinguish it from the first version. Part of the latest range creation from Wally, she reflects the brand’s renowned avant-garde design and forward-thinking approach, seamlessly combining advanced technology, sustainability, and luxury.
The 15th annual Sydney Superyacht Captains’ Long Lunch united a stellar guest list gathered from across the industry, celebrating the end of another eventful year. Hosted by Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, Sydney Superyacht Marina and Major Yacht Services, this year’s Long Lunch was held at Ploós restaurant (meaning ‘Voyage in Greek) at Campbell’s Cove, overlooking the iconic landmarks of Sydney Harbour, its Bridge and Opera House.
Travel Cue has established a business entity in the key location of Arendal in southern Norway, a small community on Norway’s south coast. Arendal has a rich history and long tradition as a hub for Norwegian shipping, where specialised crew travel for Norwegian ship owners and managers was born.
As New Zealand’s only local Māori-owned agency, Catalano Shipping Pacific offers unmatched expertise and meaningful connections in the world of superyacht cruising. With tourism booming and yachts returning to our shores, now is the perfect time to explore the breathtaking beauty of our coastlines. Catalano is your trusted partner for bespoke itinerary planning, ensuring your experience is not only luxurious but deeply connected to the heart of Aotearoa.
The Chief Executive has recently made public comments about a 'yacht and boating hub for Asia', to which the Hong Kong BIA has responded to with a number of significant and relevant suggestions, knowing that the Hong Kong government needs to be supplied with the right information by the right people in order for the industry to grow in a responsible, professional and safe manner.
The Thailand Yachting Conference (8 January) and the Thailand International Boat Show: A luxury Lifestyle Event (9-12 January) will kick off the Asian boating calendar in the new year. The conference is aimed at yachting professionals, tourism operators, and marine businesses, and will explore topics that shape the future of the leisure boat industry in Thailand.
Spotlighting the region’s hot topics of latest maritime coastal developments, superyacht demand insights and leisure marine sustainable solutions. The Southeast Asia Yachting Conference 2025 (SEA Yachting Conference 2025) is set to return, offering a world-class platform to discuss the unique challenges and advantages in the yachting industry across Southeast Asia.
For the YCM Awards and its prestigious UBS Trophy, the great Yacht Club de Monaco family gathered under the presidency of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. This event pays tribute to sporting achievements and officially welcomes new members to the Club.
Kobe City awards a large-scale marine project to the SUPERYACHT BASE consortium. After several years of planning, SUPERYACHT BASE company is pleased to announce the award of the new Kobe Marina project to its consortium, known as SUPERYACHT BASE KOBE. The consortium consists of seven principal investors GLION Group, Plan Do Sea, Horizon Yachts, Setouchi Brand Corporation, Creation Co., Ltd, SYL Monaco and SYL Japan
Thailand’s marine industry has thrown its support behind the strategic relocation of the Thailand International Boat Show to Phuket Yacht Haven Marina in 2025. “The season is shaping up splendidly and we’re seeing a growing number of superyachts”, reports Gordon Fernandes, co-founder of Asia Pacific Superyachts.“Thailand’s yachting industry has undergone significant expansion and the Thai government is working with the country’s yacht services providers in easing restrictions to welcome more affluent visitors to Thailand.”
From November 20 to 22, Amsterdam became the epicentre of the global yacht racing community, as the Yacht Racing Forum 2024 brought together 289 delegates from 28 nationalities. Over three days of engaging conferences, presentations, and networking, the Forum provided a platform to address the sport’s biggest challenges, unveil innovations, and shape the future of yacht racing.
Dear APSA Members and Friends,
APSA has had a busy few months keeping abreast of the latest developments in the superyacht industry. Visits to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, followed by The Superyacht Forum and Metstrade in Amsterdam, showed just how much the superyacht industry is growing and developing. Metstrade will expand into hall 8, which will add around 10,000m2 of space in next year’s show. The additional Superyacht Pavilion will provide options for exhibitors seeking more stand space, and open a circular route around Metstrade halls to improve the visitor experience in 2025.
