The last 12 months have been among the most dynamic we have ever seen at Simpson Marine. Demand for charter and yacht management services across the region is rising. In Hong Kong, southern China, Thailand and Indonesia, quality yacht charter availability is increasing, and manufacturers and service providers are building structures to support an increasingly international client base.
Asia-Pacific has experienced sustained growth in superyacht charter activity. Recent regional reports show a material year-on-year increase in active superyachts and overall activity across major hubs in the region.
This growth is driven by a mix of rising lifestyle interest, increasing travel within the region, and more professionalised charter supply chains that make operating a yacht in Asia easier for both local and international owners and charterers.
Hong Kong’s yachting market remains an important node for charter, brokerage and aftersales support in Greater China, with Thailand and Indonesia as Southeast Asia’s main hubs. Our Hong Kong office continues to be a busy base for private and event charters, bespoke day trips around the islands, and as a gateway for clients transiting to other Asia destinations.
We’re now able to facilitate charters across to the Philippines, Taiwan and, very soon, efficient access to the Greater Bay Area. At the same time, macro factors – notably regulatory and geopolitical pressures that have affected broader shipping and maritime services in the territory – are prompting some operators and owners to re-examine flagging, basing and logistics strategies.
Those considerations are increasingly factored into how we advise clients on where to base and operate their yachts in Asia.
HONG KONG AS A HUB
In Hong Kong, with the support of local institutions such as HKBIA (Hong Kong Boating Industry Association) and APSA (Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association), the government has now pledged support to the industry and is improving the arrival process for foreign-flagged yachts entering Hong Kong waters.
Quicker online registration and an online platform for all immigration and duty procedures are expected. This will eventually lead to the ability for foreign-flagged yachts in Hong Kong to be able to operate local and cross-border charters.
At Simpson Marine, we operate a diverse fleet of quality Central Agency yachts to serve the full range of client needs in Hong Kong and broader in Asia. Our fleet includes sailing boats and luxury catamarans, larger crewed motoryachts and a selection of superyachts available through our broader network.
Worth mentioning are our fleet highlights, with the Sanlorenzo SL90A J and a Sanlorenzo SL86 available for bespoke charters in Hong Kong.
This variety of yachts caters to the two-tier nature of demand in Hong Kong – short, high-frequency
day and half-day charters for Hong
Read more from original article, all rights reserved May Choi of Simpson Marine on Asia’s Expanding Charter Market
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