The third Asia Superyacht Conference set a clear mandate to all superyacht industry players in the Asia-Pacific region to collaborate and work together to enhance and market the premier superyacht destination in the world.
Over 150 delegates from 35 countries were unanimous in the belief that the Asia-Pacific region has the most exotic cruising grounds in the world that are largely untapped, and also that the region has massive potential to attract new customers into superyacht ownership and charter as well as create a high quality superyacht construction and refit business.
Running alongside the Singapore Yacht Show, the conference provided an unmissable opportunity for new and existing industry players in Asia to not only enhance their market contacts and knowledge but also enjoy a high quality Superyacht show and get to see firsthand some of the region’s finest yachts.
For the third consecutive year the conference kicked off with a networking drinks reception, kindly sponsored by Sevenstar Yacht Transport, aboard the Floating Bar at the official venue host ONE°15 Marina Club, on Sentosa Island in Singapore. Delegates got to know each other in an informal and luxurious atmosphere before the serious business started the next morning.
Superyacht Singapore Association (SSA) Chairman Arthur Tay welcomed guests to the conference and was followed by Franck Hardy, General Manager of ONE°15 Marina Club, whose team did a stunning job making delegates feel welcome and provided first class conference facilities and catering within a marina environment.
Inspirational SSA Executive Chairman, Jean-Jacques Lavigne, then set the scene with a detailed presentation of superyacht ownership across Asia and visiting traffic statistics. Delegates have never before heard this kind of detailed assessment of the market and the SSA has done a great job in collating this precious data.
Captain Tork Buckley, of Big Blue Consulting Ltd, then gave a valuable insight into how superyacht ownership within Asia (and beyond) could grow with some innovative ideas on welcoming new faces into the superyacht scene rather than relying on the traditional repeat customers.
Tony Allen of Hill Dickinson, fresh from the UK, then gave a lively assessment of recent regulations and legal issues as they affect yacht ownership the world over.
Continuing the global theme was Erwin Bamps, COO of Gulf Craft from the UAE, who discussed the critical links between the Middle East and South East Asia, and how superyacht manufacturers need to change their business models in order to meet the changing demands of customers.
The afternoon of day 1 then split into 2 streams starting with 3 presentations on the topical issue of piracy. Stefan Hansen and Jean-Michel Kergoat gave an insightful presentation on the development of the Information Fusion Centre and its piracy data services, followed by Richard Skinner of Orchid Office who discussed practical measures that superyachts need to take to combat piracy. This session was finished off with a panel discussion including Captain Richard Felton, Captain Craig Mitchell and Jan-Maarten Boissevain of Sevenstar who gave their practical experiences of piracy prevention. The simple summary was that there is no piracy in Asia, but the current problems in the Gulf of Aden mean that superyachts transiting this area need to work with the authorities and take special precautions to enable trouble free journeys.
Mauro Boni of Rina then gave a very useful analysis of environmental issues relating to superyachts and was followed by Bart Kimman and Ruurd van Putten of Northrop and Johnson who gave assessments of superyacht opportunities in Hong Kong, China and Vietnam.
Stream 2 focused on destinations kicking off with Christophe Houreau who gave an insight into the unique challenges and opportunities for The Seychelles. He was followed by Captain Cilian Budarlaigh who gave an update on the regulations and changes in Indonesia and continuing the Indonesia theme was Andrew Harvey of Manta Watch who detailed some of the brilliant work being done for charities and local communities and how superyachts are supporting this work. Oliver Benoist of The Equator Club then wrapped up the Indonesia session by presenting an exciting array of superyacht destinations to be found close to Singapore in the nearby Indonesian Riau Archipelago.
Day 2 commenced with a brilliant presentation from Captain Richard Morris of Superyachtbase Australia who discussed the essential need for collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region and a stream of ideas on cross marketing opportunities for the associations and companies currently present in the region.
Bart Kimman, Tork Buckley, Richard Morris and Erwin Bamps then sat on a panel discussion to debate the potential within Asia for superyacht construction. Several projects and locations were cited and major points surrounding skill as opposed to cheap labour featured in those successful projects.
Simon Turner, Conference Chairman and Director of Northrop and Johnson, then gave an insight into the potential for the charter business in Asia and detailed a stream of superyachts currently enjoying successful charter operations in the region.
Aashim Mongia of West Coast Marine Services India was then welcomed back and he gave a stunning presentation on the amazing coastline and opportunities for both superyacht cruising and ownership within India.
The conference then closed with a presentation from Colin Dawson, protem Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association on the association’s plans and objectives. Many delegate then stayed behind for a Q&A session which generated a host of additional ideas to help the association move forward.
ONE°15 Marina Club then provided one more superb networking lunch before delegates headed off into an extremely busy Singapore Yacht Show which ran until 8pm and was then followed by a very classy Gala Dinner for 300 people.
