Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Asia Pacific Superyacht Association launches in Hong Kong

by APSA on 7 May 2011
Directors of APSA (Colin Dawson, Simon Turner, Gareth Twist and YP Loke). SW
Marking the launch of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA), a press conference was held at The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club today which was well attended by journalists and industry professionals from all around the region.

After a year and half of planning, the Founding Committee of APSA were proud to announce that the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association is fully incorporated in Hong Kong and is officially ready for business. The primary objective of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association is to promote the Asia-Pacific region to the global superyacht community both as the world’s 'third cruising destination' and as a superyacht construction, refit and services location.

APSA has been set up by 5 key industry professionals who make up the Directors on the Committee; Chairman Colin Dawson (The George Group, Hong Kong), Jean-Jacques Lavigne (Superyacht Singapore Association, Singapore), YP Loke (Spinnaker International, Singapore), Simon Turner (Northrop and Johnson, Singapore) and Gareth Twist (Yacht Solutions, Thailand).

APSA Chairman Colin Dawson said that 'after a significant amount of discussion with industry professionals and much behind the scenes work we hope that we have created an Association that will serve the needs of superyachts who wish to visit the region, inform those who did not know about the fantastic cruising and services we have to offer and assist regional owners to further enjoy our amazing coastlines.'

Mr Dawson went on to say that 'we’ve been delighted with the support we have received so far from both the industry and the media. There is, without a doubt, significant interest from owners and Captains who do not know the region and are keen to explore cruising grounds beyond the more traditional Mediterranean and Caribbean. With the growth in ownership of large yachts and their increasing ability to explore more remote areas this is an exciting time for both the superyacht industry and the Asia-Pacific region.'

Memberships are now available and there are various categories to suit all sizes of operation. Being a not for profit organization the aim is to have an inclusive Association with members working together to grow the region as a whole.

Superyachts have an enormous impact on the economic success off countries and can hugely boost local communities. The need for individual countries to have a strategic plan for the superyacht business is critical. High on the APSA agenda is to establish good working relationships with Government agencies to enable them to effectively plan and participate in order to benefit their cities and coastal communities.

Mr Dawson commented 'By visiting a number of countries in the region a yacht owner can be confident that he will have everything needed to make the time spent in the region a success. By combining all of our strengths we ensure that the region offers everything a traditional superyacht destination does with the added advantage of enjoying the enormous diversity we have from cruising the almost deserted archipelagos of Indonesia and the Pacific to the busy metropolis of Hong Kong and Singapore.'

Captain Neil Fraser usually based in the Mediterranean but now coming towards the end of a circumnavigation believes that 'the Asia-Pacific region offers a unique and unspoilt cruising area with many diverse cultures and this really is the appeal for owners, guests and crew'.

Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association Founding Memberships are available until 31st May 2011.

More at www.apsuperyacht.org
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERBarton Marine Pipe GlandsSwitch One Design

Related Articles

British Dragon South West Championship
A spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup Torquay delivered a spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup, as 13 Dragon teams took to the waters of Tor Bay for the South West Championship, a two-day regatta packed with shifting breezes, tactical gambles, and top-class racing.
Posted today at 8:59 am
Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul