Next week, the eighth edition of the Singapore Yacht Show will commence. Held once again at the One 15 Sentosa Marina, the show is one of the most significant yacht shows for the Asian market.

Taking place from 12 - 15 April, the show will feature many world-renowned superyacht brands as exhibitors, including Awlgrip, Azimut-Benetti, Camper & Nicholsons, Feadship, Fincantieri, Heesen, SilverYachts, Simpson Marine, Triton Submarines and Y.CO.

A number of superyachts will be present at the show, including 55m M/Y La Familia, 47m M/Y Aquamarina, 40m M/Y Lady Azul and 34m M/Y Happy Days. The presence of these vessels at the show does indicate that the European yachting market sees the show as significant to their potential clients; they also represent a diverse exhibition of the wares of pedigree European shipyards and designers. In previous years, superyachts such as 76m Anastasia, 77m Silver Fast, 57.5m Twizzle and 67m Vertigo, have also been guests at the marina.

The Asian superyacht market has seen gradual growth in the past two decades, with many now seeing this as the ‘next’ market that yachting will flourish in. Andy Treadwell, CEO and founder of the Singapore Yacht Show believes that the lack of governmental support is the issue that has plagued yachting’s success in the region, but asserts that a rise in traffic will inevitably trigger a change of opinion. “If you want the yachting industry in Asia to grow, you have to start by getting government to support it. In my opinion, the only way to do that is to focus on getting the superyachts coming to the destination part of the region – South East Asia.” He adds that promoting superyacht charters will be the key to the area’s success, as potential Asian yacht clients will need to fall in love with the experience on board, before taking the plunge into ownership.

Treadwell reports that exponential increases in the number of visitors to the show represents the growing enthusiasm for superyachts among Asian clientele. “We are seeing an increasing level of interest, and not just from our traditional visitors from South-East Asia, but with each year people are coming from further afield, places such as mainland China, Taiwan, and even Japan.”

The show will also feature a number of marine sport demonstrations, luxury showcases and lifestyle exhibitions, to complement the superyacht elements of the show. Treadwell stresses, however, that this will not be the event’s main focus, with the superyachts taking top billing.

The two days prior to the show will see the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference, chaired by The Superyacht Group's chairman Martin H. Redmayne, which aims to discuss the most pertinent topics for the region and its clients. Presentations include discussions around the methods that yachting can employ to adjust to the needs of Asian clients, the rise of expedition yachting and a ‘fireside chat’ analysing the future of the ultra-large yacht market. The event will feature speakers from both the European and Asian yachting worlds, with naval architect Espen Øino; Michael Breman, director of sales at Lürssen; Jean-Marc Poullet, chairman of Burgess Asia and Matty Zadnikar, CEO of SeaNet.

The value of the Singapore Yacht Show continues to prove itself in the yachting calendar. Those in attendance garner an insight into the needs of Asian clients, and also keep their finger on the pulse of this growing region.

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