Chairman’s Message January 2023

Dear APSA Members and Friends,

In January 2023 the Asia-Pacific celebrates the New Year twice: there’s New Year on 01 January, or course, and then the Lunar or Chinese New Year when we welcome the Year of the Rabbit. With China finally dropping its zero-Covid policy and quarantine restrictions, businesses in Asia are hoping for a quick kick start to the tourism industry over the Chinese New Year holiday period.

There is plenty of positive news coming out of the region at the start of 2023. APSA is especially pleased to welcome a new APSA member, Frigomar srl from Italy. This international company produces state-of-the-art refrigeration, air-conditioning and ice maker systems for superyachts and megayachts. The networking connections were made at METSTRADE, thereby showing how important it is to ‘be there’ and connected to the global superyacht community.

More positive news comes from the Maldives which has seen a major increase in superyacht visitors, with 18 yachts currently cruising in this tropical paradise. Sevenstar Yacht Transport reports that they are shipping ever more yachts safely around the world, and they are first company to receive certification for their transport cradles from Lloyd’s Register, one of the most reputable marine classification societies in the maritime industry. The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (Cayman Registry) is proud to be celebrating 120 years of maritime tradition and business, and the Marine Industry Association (MIA) in Australia is pleased to announce the launch of the much-anticipated ‘Superyacht Ready’ accreditation. APSA member Gold Coast City Marina is the first APSA member to receive the accreditation, and it is very well-deserved. Other updates include new faces on the management board of the Cook Island Registry, and new Committee members for the Superyacht Group: Great Barrier Reef.

Unfortunately, it is not all good news. The war in Ukraine continues, and the ongoing economic roller-coaster ride will be with us for some time to come. The SYBAss Economic Report from their Winter Update 2023 reviews some of the issues that are facing the superyacht industry, but with record numbers of orders on the books, and a record number of launches in 2023, there is still a lot to be positive about.

The calendar of superyacht events for 2023 is filling up quickly, and the listing can be found on the APSA website. Please do let us know if you are hosting any events in the coming year, so we can help to promote them. Most importantly, remember to Save The Date for the Asia Superyacht Night in Monaco which will be held on Tuesday 26 September, on the rooftop of the Novotel Monaco, on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show 2023. More APSA events are in the pipeline, so that we have more networking opportunities to promote our existing members, and more occasions to expand our membership numbers.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year (times two!), and we look forward to catching up at one of the many superyacht events that will be happening in 2023!