5th Shenzhen Bay International Boat Show

by Suzy Rayment 28 May 2018 21:26 PDT

The 5th Shenzhen International Boat Show was held at Shenzhen Bay Marina, 18-20 May. Although the marina has been operational for several years, there have only been five yacht shows to date as not all the shows have been held sequentially. Local Government Officials, VIPs, business leaders and media attended the Opening Ceremony.

Alex Liu, MD of Shenzhen Bay Marina, explained that the show was mainly aimed at the Club’s membership. “Most of our boat owners are local residents who choose to keep their yachts with us for convenience. The marina has recently been given a special status for duty-free entry, which is part of a wider initiative being promoted by the Chinese Central Government for the Greater Bay Area. The scheme was officially launched at the end of last year, and lists nine cities that are eligible to participate. We already have 10 Hong Kong registered yachts berthed in Shenzhen Bay Marina under this scheme.” Liu is also a member of AustCham South China, and has been involved in establishing a Joint Greater Bay Area Committee.

This year’s event was perfect excuse to show off the recently completed ultra-luxury clubhouse, with its superb facilities that includes restaurants, a gym and spa, residential and hotel accommodation, and business meeting facilities. The thoroughly chic clubhouse features sandstone quarried by the family-owned business, which operates out of Queensland, Australia. Says Liu, “The family migrated to Australia in 2000, and then moved to Sanctuary Cove where we owned a Chris Craft. We were completely captivated by the boating life style in Australia, and decided that Shenzhen Bay would be the best place to develop such a project. ‘Spreading the joy’, as it were.”

Shenzhen is currently being developed as a tourism hub as it climbs out of its decades-old reputation as a cross between a building site and an industrial complex. The streets around Shekou are green, and real estate prices are some of the highest in the country. Shenzhen is going places with a potential market of 68 million people and a gross domestic product that is expected to triple by 2030 to a massive US$4.6 trillion. Beijing’s ‘Greater Bay Area’ development for the country’s south promises big opportunities for business and entrepreneurs.

The boat show was very small by international standards - just 19 boats on display. ‘Boutique’ is a nice word. Nonetheless many of the big name brands present were delighted with some serious expressions of interest and the potential buyers who attended. In-water displays included the China-based superyacht shipyard Heysea; Speedo Marine representing Ferretti, Prestige and Fountaine Pajot; Simpson Marine representing Sanlorenzo, Lagoon and Beneteau; Omnia Marine representing Sessa, Novatec and Monte Fino; and Princess Yachts, Allegro Yachts, and Moana Yachts. Something for everyone.

Top marque luxury motoryachts were in evidence, with Ferretti’s Tai Hei Ban 870 available for sea trials and Simpson Marine showing off an exceptionally stylish Sanlorenzo 78, along with a Lagoon 40 sailing catamaran and the Beneteau Oceanis 48. Princess Yachts had their one of their most popular models on show, the Princess 49.

The biggest yacht in the show was a Heysea, and shipyard CEO Allen Leng explained that the brand has proved popular with mainland clients. “Our yachts are entirely custom built. To date the shipyard has built over 140 yachts, ranging in size from 48 to 152ft. We currently have two 139 ft. yachts ‘in build’, destined for Australian and European clients. We have sold a number of yacht to mainland clients, but we are now reaching out to international clients who are looking for value and quality.” Leng believes that the way forward for the growth of ‘big boating’ or ‘superyachting’ amongst mainland clients is the development of a charter industry. Chartering is currently illegal in China, but Leng is advising the central government on future developments which are aimed at assisting with the growth of the superyacht industry.

Helicopters, high performance cars and exquisite jade jewellery and high end wines added a luxury element to the show, along with a great atmosphere ensuring that this event was a fun event for everyone.