Chairman’s Message 30 June 2025
Dear APSA Members and Friends
We are halfway through the year, and the northern hemisphere superyacht community is now heading into Summer!
It has been an exceptionally busy first six months for APSA, engaging with the Asia-Pacific superyacht communities in Thailand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia (Bali) and Australia. Looking forward to September, and I am delighted to announce that Fema Marine has signed up as our Patronage Sponsor for the Asia Superyacht Night in Monaco on Tuesday 23 September, and we look forward to welcoming all our members to the event - so don’t forget to Save the Date.
Giles Sedgman, Head of Yacht Management at PRAXIS has 16 years at sea in both private and commercial yachting as well as commercial shipping and applies extensive seafaring experience to his shore-based role, which focuses on safety & operational management. Giles works closely with the firm’s yacht safety team, explores how cyber resilience has become a core operational priority, and how owners, captains and advisers can embed it into the everyday running of their vessels.
Asian industry networking continues to grow, and APSA is pleased to welcome another Affiliate Association member - the Korea Marine Leisure Industry Association (KMIA). The Association was recently established by marine leisure-related companies and experts to promote research and development, operate education programs, and develop marina businesses to foster the marine leisure industry. The goal is for all citizens of South Korea to be able to enjoy the ocean safely and conveniently, and we welcome this new connection to our Asian network of marine industry associations.
The 2nd edition of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit 2025, hosted in Hong Kong proved even more successful than the first, with 275 international and local delegates attending. It was a real pleasure to be able to present the new Superyacht Base Kobe project in Japan, and it is exciting to see more superyacht marinas planned & coming online around the region. The Summit has been instrumental in highlighting and promoting Hong Kong’s unique assets as Asia’s leisure marine hub. More and more superyacht marine developments are coming online, and APSA and the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association (HKBIA) are working closely together to engage with various Hong Kong Government Authorities to make sure that both industry associations play a key advisory role in these new marine developments.
Other news this month include new superyacht launches by Benetti, Sanlorenzo, Horizon and Cheoy Lee, and the opening of Gulf Craft's own purpose-built inhouse Yacht Manufacturing Training Centre at its Umm Al Quwain shipyard. Finally, congratulations go to Andrew Chapman, Chief Operating Officer of the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM). Andrew has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. This prestigious recognition celebrates Andrew’s significant service to youth and the marina industries.
Don’t forget to check out APSA’s updated list of superyacht events and boat shows, and I look forward to seeing you in Monaco in September, if not before! Meanwhile, enjoy your time on the water!
Best Regards
Nigel Beatty
APSA Chairman