The invitation for the expressions of interest (EOI) for a marina development at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter expansion area closed today, April 24, 2025, with the Development Bureau receiving eight submissions.
 
The organisations making the submissions include local and overseas developers, hotel/entertainment groups and marina developers/operators.
 
The bureau said it will consolidate and analyse the collected feedback to firm up the development parameters and requirements within this year for undertaking various technical assessments and statutory procedures.
 
It added that under the established approach, the development is anticipated for tendering in 2027. Alternatively, if a feasible market proposal is brought forward during the EOI exercise to speed up the process, the bureau will actively consider an earlier tender time.
 
An initiative for promoting yacht tourism, with plans to invite the market to construct and operate marinas at three locations, including the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter expansion area, was announced in the 2024 Policy Address.
 
The Government plans to seek the Legislative Council’s funding approval next year to expand the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to increase sheltered space for public mooring under the Public Works Programme.
 
By seizing this opportunity, the Government hopes to utilise part of the expanded waterbody for the market to develop the marina and better leverage market forces to promote yacht tourism.

The Development Bureau has  unveiled plans to transform sites near Hung Hom station into a new waterfront landmark to improve public space and transport facilities.

According to a paper submitted to the Legislative Council, the project will span 24 hectares, 58 percent of which will be on land.

As outlined in the 2024 Policy Address, the project will feature berthing facilities on the waterfront to promote yacht tourism.

At the heart of the new development will be a new 7,300 square-metre platform near Salisbury Road, which will house an indoor bus station. The plan will see the current open-air public transport interchange relocated.

To make the area more walkable, officials proposed enhancing the covered walkway to the Coliseum and upgrading footbridges connecting to East Tsim Sha Tsui and PolyU.

A new elevated covered footbridge will allow residents to reach the waterfront within 10 minutes from Hung Hom Station.

The bureau also plans to develop one mixed commercial-residential building on the waterfront, along with 64,600 square-metres of retail space, which would include hotels and offices.

Meanwhile, a proposed housing development near the water will provide some 1,300 private residential units.

The bureau aims to begin statutory procedures for the project in the second half of next year, with the first phase of development expected to be completed within a decade.

 Programme 

The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit will be held on 7 and 8 May 2025 in the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel. 

Wednesday 7 May 2025 

08:15 - 09:10 - Welcome Coffee 

09:10 - 09:25 - Presenting the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report 

● Merijn de Waard | SuperYacht Times 

● Ralph Dazert | SuperYacht Times 

09:25 - 10:05 - Hong Kong as a superyacht destination 

● Benjamin Wong | InvestHK 

● Cissy Chan | Skytopia 

● Lawrence Chow | Hong Kong Boating Association 

● Joe Yuen | Lodestone Yachts 

10:05 - 10:55 - How to build a superyacht destination 

● Issam Kazim | CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing 

● Jean-Marc Poullet | Burgess + Yacht Owner 

● Laura Verbrugge | Fraser Yachts 

● Manoa Rey | Tahiti Tourism 

● Bob Hoogendoorn | McKinsey & Company 

10:55 - 11:25 - Coffee Break 

11:25 - 12:00 - New marina projects 

● Amit Majumder | Atoll Estates + Zamani Islands 

● Nigel Beatty | Superyacht Base Kobe Marina Japan 

12:00 - 12:40 - How to manage refits successfully in Asia 

● Peter Plesea | Senior Captain 63m M/Y Diamonds are Forever 

● Robert Corcoran | FEMA International 

● Robert Taylor | Clearvac 

● Sam Thompson of JMS Yachting 

12:40 - 13:05 - Superyacht Captain Insights 

● Captain Fraser Gow | 60m Amels Stardust 

13:05 - 14:30 - Lunch 

14:30 - 15:00 - How to engage people through social media: Supercoolben 

● Ben Sumadiwiria 

15:00 - 15:40 - Yachting & Wealth Management for a new generation 

● Nigel Tang | Warpcapital Yacht Management 

● Paolo Cassani | Camper & Nicholsons 

● David Lau | Investor 

15:40 - 16:15 - Interview with Doan Viet Dai Tu Chairman of Openasia Group 

● Doan Viet Dai Tu | Openasia Group 

16:15 - 17:30 - Networking Drinks 

19:00 - 22:30 - Networking Dinner 

At The Verandah in The Repulse Bay Hotel. 

********************************************************* 

Thursday 8 May 2025 

08:45 - 09:45 - Welcome Coffee 

09:45 - 10:10 - A new type of class society 

● Nikolas Rabier | Yacht Standards 

10:10 - 11:00 - Reducing the energy consumption of yachts 

● Martin Lo | Cheoy Lee 

● Vladimir Zinchenko | GX Superyachts 

● Chris Blackwell | Echo Yachts 

● Alessandro Rossi | Azimut Benetti Group 

● Haico van Roeden | Damen Yachting 

11:00 - 11:40 - Coffee break 

11:40 - 12:20 - Emerging yachting markets 

● Angel Zhou | Simpson Marine 

● Alexandre Heng | O2H2O 

● Ronnie Wang | Yachting Encounters Asia 

● Gautama Dutta | Marine Solutions Distribution & Services 

12:20 - 13:00 - Cross-border regulations and practicalities 

● Roy Chan | Legalmapp 

● May Choi | Simpson Marine 

● Captain Robin Shellcock | Motor Yacht 

● Simone Centola | Gateway Law 

13:00 - 14:30 - Lunch 

14:30 - 15:10 - Discover Indonesia 

● Iswin Hudiarto | TASK Cikaldana 

● Jasmine Chong | Owner 45m S/Y Celestia 

● Boumedienne Senous, CEO & Founder of Yacht Sourcing 

● Thye Hock, GOH, superyacht captain 

15:10 - 15:45 - Yacht owner interview 

● Giorgio Moretti | serial yacht owner 

15:45 - 16:00 - Closing Words 

● Merijn de Waard 

Contact Details: 

Merijn de Waard 

Founder & Director 

SuperYacht Times 

+31 6 5193 4106 

merijn@superyachttimes.com 

Eline Heemstra 

Events Manager 

SuperYacht Times 

eline@superyachttimes.com 

Adil Zaman, Superyacht Times

Following its successful debut in 2024, SuperYacht Times is proud to host the second edition of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit (APSS), taking place on 7–8 May 2025 at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Hong Kong – Asia’s most prominent yachting capital.

In preparation for this event, SYNews Research Analyst, Adil Zaman, along with the Head of Intelligence, Ralph Dazert, conducted an in-depth analysis of regional superyacht movements and ownership trends. The findings are featured in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report 2025, set to launch during the APSS. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside.

How many superyachts are there in Asia?

Over the past few years, SuperYacht Times has refined its yacht tracking capabilities using the Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking signals that yachts emit, now covering more than 76% of all operating superyachts over 30m. For this report, AIS data was further enhanced by cross-checking the yachts transmitting on AIS against all yachts that are known to be in the area according to our records, providing one of the most comprehensive and accurate views to date of superyacht activity in the Asia-Pacific region.

'Missing' vessels and their likely locations were incorporated into the dataset, ensuring maximum reliability of our analysis.

Yachts in Asia-Pacific: larger than average

From January to December 2024, we recorded 530 unique superyachts active in the region – either permanently based there or visiting during the year. Of these, 343 yachts were owned by Asia-Pacific nationals, while 187 were foreign-flagged.

Only 12% of the fleet were sailing yachts – lower than the global average of 15% – and the overall fleet in the region trends slightly larger than the global norm. Just 59% of the fleet fell into the 30–40-metre category (vs. 63% globally), while more than 20% exceeded 50 metres, compared to 16% worldwide.

Number of yachts in the region is increasing
While we counted a total of 530 unique superyachts in the Asia-Pacific region over the past year, annual figures vary as yachts are added to the local fleet or visit from outside the region. That said, the upward trend is clear. In 2022, we recorded 372 unique yachts. In 2023, this rose to 445, a 20% increase. By 2024, the figure climbed to 530, representing a further 19% growth. If this trend continues, the number of superyachts operating in the region could exceed 600 by the end of 2025.

Where are the yachts based?

The Asia-Pacific region spans a diverse and expansive maritime landscape, from established yachting hubs to fast-growing destinations. According to our latest tracking data, Australia continues to attract the highest number of superyachts, with over 140 active yachts recorded in the past year – a testament to its strong infrastructure and appeal for long-range cruising.

Singapore remains a key stopover, serving as a vital transit and provisioning hub for yachts moving between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Southeast Asia continues to show strong cruising activity, with countries like Thailand and Malaysia each recording more than 70 superyachts. Hong Kong stands out as the traditional hub of yacht ownership and operations in South East Asia, while the Indian Ocean, particularly around the Maldives, remains a strategic waypoint for yachts in transit. 

A detailed breakdown of yacht activity by country – including year-on-year trends, fleet size, and ownership – is available exclusively in the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report 2025.

Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report 2025

All of this, and much more, will be featured in the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Report 2025, published during the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit in Hong Kong on 7–8 May 2025. The report will be made available as a free digital download following the event.

Stay tuned to the SuperYacht Times newsletter and website for the official release – and join us as we explore how the Asia-Pacific region continues to shape the future of global yachting.

Simon Boyde, well-known to just about everybody in the HKBIA as the first Chairman of the Association and original owner of Storm Force Marine, was in town recently after a business trip into China.

Having left sunny Hong Kong for the perpetual UK drizzle some years ago, Simon now works with ePropulsion (actually, a Hong Kong company) specifically advising on the design and installation of electric power solutions. He is also a member of no less than nine ISO committees drafting and setting standards associated with electric propulsion.

Electric boat propulsion - not so new-fangled.

Electric boats, we heard, have been around for a great deal longer than any of us guessed - 1834 to be precise, and the first outboard motor (1881) was electric, not petrol. Internal combustion engines (ICE) quickly supplanted electric, being safer since replacement of the plates in lead/acid batteries was hazardous to say the least.

More recently, in the 1970s the Duffy Boat Co of California built thousands of electric boats, by which time improved design had rendered batteries a great deal safer. Battery power proved to be especially suitable for tenders - they can be recharged from the mother vessel, and involve no petrol on board.

Coming right up to date, the Candela Co of Sweden (www,candela.com) is successfully selling  foil-borne commuter boats that are both fast and cost-effective to run, and require precious little maintenance. Perfect! Recreational boating, where the journey is the destination in itself, is not all about speed. Electric propulsion coupled with good design of the hull, electrical systems, heating, and cooking systems makes for enhanced efficiency with no pollution attached. Think of a long, thin, displacement hull such as a catamaran or a canal boat.

Energy density - how much bang you get for your buck (or kilo).

Electric propulsion units are typically lighter for the same power out put than an ICE, and they run cooler, too. It's the batteries that weigh something, not the electric motors, and a 96v electric motor delivers between 80-90% of its power to the shaft compared with a diesel engine's 10-30%. The higher the voltage of the engine, the higher percentage of its power is 'usable'. A 24v motor delivers 40-60%, and a 48v motor delivers 50-70%. It's that good. Don't be frightened of having a 96v electric motor in your boat; 'arc flash' can occur at 12v just as easily as it can at 250v - it's the current that wreaks the damage, not the voltage.

It's not just lithium batteries that catch fire.

All battery types - modern lead/acid included - have the potential for thermal runaway, so a good battery management system (BMS) is critical. Preferably one with lots of alarms - under-voltage, over-voltage etc - that shut everything down and disconnect the system when otherwise ignored.  Battery fires are difficult or impossible to extinguish, so prevention is very much better than any attempted cure. In statistical terms, lithium batteries are safer than lead/acid batteries, and lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) are the safest of the lot.   

Longevity, longevity!

How often have you had to change out a car battery? Too often? Correct.  Properly installed, LFP batteries are going to last as long as the boat in which they are installed, assuming your boat has a usage of 50-100 hours per year. And batteries are getting better all the time: before long we can look forward to electrical storage with a 20-year life span.

ePropulsion manufacture and sell electric outboards from 12kW to 40kW, inboard motors from 10kW to 250kW, pod drive motors 1kW-20kW, and batteries 2000kW - 23,000kW.

Anyone looking for more information can contact Simon (simon@epropulsion.uk), or Danny Tao (danny.tao@epropulsion.com) or even check out the website (www.epropulsion.com).

       

 

Dear Members,

Please use the following links to access the results from the recent poll and the summary from the round-table meeting with the Chief Executive's Policy Unit and Industry Representatives held on 6 March 2025:

Poll Results.pdf

Report on meeting with the Chief Executives Policy Unit and industry representatives.pdf

Yours Sincerely,

Lawrence Chow

Chair

•  Dear HKBIA Members,

   

  The HKBIA has been in active dialogue with the HK Govt and has been actively advocating for sheltered mooring spaces on various media channels. To highlight;

• 
  

• 1.    HK Macau Liaison Office - Round Table Discussion – 15 Nov 2024

• 2.    HK Policy Unit -  Industry Update – 14 Feb 2025

• 3.    HK Policy Unit – Round Table Discussion – Upcoming – 5 March 2025

• As you may have heard on various news outlets, the Government is proposing three new berthing areas in HK for pleasure vessels.

  After many years, the Government is now engaging with the HKBIA and asking for input on the new marinas planned and input for the future planning of pleasure vessel rules and regulations.

  The HKBIA is therefore polling our members to ask what they think of the locations chosen by the Government for the first three marinas planned and the Airport  Authorities’ Skytopia Marina.

  The four locations are:

• 1.    ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER

• 2.    LAMMA ISLAND

• 3.    HUNG HOM PIER

• 4.    AIRPORT SKYTOPIA MARINA

• 
  

• 
  

• The HKBIA has a meeting with the Chief Executives Policy Unit next week and we wish to poll members on their thinking on the four proposals prior to the meeting.  Would you please answer the questions below and return the answers to us before Tuesday 4^th of March.

  Email: chair@hongkongbia.com or whatsapp +852 9707 2391.

  We look forward to receive your feedback. 

   

  Yours sincerely, 

  Lawrence Chow

  Chair

  Hong Kong Boating Industry Association

• 
  

• LINK TO POLL

• LINK TO PREVIOUS HKBIA PROPOSAL

• 
  

• 
  

•  

• 1.    ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER

The expansion area of Aberdeen typhoon shelter for which the Government have already issued and Expression of Interest to the industry.

• The EOI can be found here.

  https://www.iiso.gov.hk/files/studies/ATS_EOI.pdf

   

   

   

• 2.    LAMMA ISLAND

The second area proposed by Government is in Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island southwest of Aberdeen typhoon shelter south entrance.

 

• 
  

•  

• 3.    HUNG HOM PIER

The third area is in the harbour off of the old Hung Hom pier.

•  

  
  

• 
  

• 4.    AIRPORT SKYTOPIA MARINA

Meanwhile the Airport Authority has also proposed to build a Marina at the airport as part of the Skytopia project.

 

The ARUP report for the AA can be found here.

https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia//register/profile/latest/esb372/esb372.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

POLL

Location	Aberdeen	Lamma	Hung Hom	Airport
Do you agree that this is a good location for a marina?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
If you answer no please explain why?
Would you advise your clients to apply for a berth here?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
Which location do you think your clients would like to moor their boat in if given a choice?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
Would you like to see public berthing being available at the location?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
Do you think that overseas visiting boats would like to use the location?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
Should HK MarDep make it easier for non HK registered boats to visit and cruise in HK?	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______	Yes.   ______   No.    ______
Do you have any comments of the Government Proposals?

 

• The Southeast Asia Yachting Conference 2025 (SEAYC), scheduled for 8 - 9 April at ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove, is a key channel for visionaries, policymakers and industry leaders to connect and shape the future of yachting. The SEAYC has proudly announced that Wicky Sundram will be the Master of Ceremonies and the conference is supported this year by collaborations with seven leading industry Associations.

   “We are thrilled to welcome Wicky Sundram back as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s conference. His expertise and charisma add immense value to the discussions. We’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming interest in attendance and partnership since announcing the event. This proves that the yachting industry in Southeast Asia is eager for a dedicated platform to discuss key issues, share insights, and explore new opportunities.” said Jonathan Sit, Regional General Manager, Marina Division, SUTL Enterprise Ltd.

  Event Sponsors and Supporting Partners include the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association (HKBIA) and the Singapore Boating Industry Association (SBIA), Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (an HKBIA member), ICOMIA, AIMEX, Superyacht Australia, and the Marina Industries Association (MIA), 

  The SEAYC 2025 will tackle critical challenges, emerging opportunities, and innovative solutions shaping the maritime future of Southeast Asia. Key sessions include:

• ·       Master Planning: Future Southeast Asia Coastal Developments
• Exploring transformative coastal projects aimed at establishing Southeast Asia as a premier yachting destination.
• ·       Navigating Regional Waters: Regulation Challenges in Southeast Asia
• Examining regional maritime regulations and strategies to streamline navigation across borders.
• ·       Tourism and Chartering: Market Trends Across Southeast Asia
• Delving into the market dynamics driving growth in the region’s tourism and yacht chartering sectors.
• ·       Where to Next?: The rise of Alternatives and Sustainable Solutions
• Discussing the adoption of sustainable practices and alternative energy solutions for the yachting industry. 
• ·       SEA Superyacht Connection: Working with neighbouring regions
• Addressing the evolving expectations and training needs for yacht owners and crew. 
• ·       Ready the Yards: Infrastructure Opportunities and Warranty Constraints
• Unpacking challenges and opportunities in yacht maintenance infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

The SEAYC 2025 is expected to host over 150 industry leaders, including global media, offering unparalleled exposure to Southeast Asia’s yachting trade. APSA members are eligible for a discount code please email admin@apsuperyacht.org for the discount code and then register online at:

https://singaporeyachtingfestival.com/index/registration?utm_source=eDM+-+SYF&utm_medium=ODO&utm_campaign=2025_SYF_Ticket+Purchase

Sponsorship Opportunities are also available and include: 

Brand visibility throughout the event, including key sessions and networking breaks. 

Opportunities to showcase products and innovations directly to industry decision-makers. 

Direct access to influential leaders shaping the future of yachting in Southeast Asia. For more information contact Wade Pearce at syf@one15marina.com and click on the link for the sponsorship package.

https://di9mr54a05a64.cloudfront.net/api-one15events.expoplatform.com/files/SEAYC-2025-Sponsorship-Deck_LR.pdf

EVENT DETAILS dates: 8-9 April 2025 Venue: ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore

www.singaporeyachtingfestival.com

There are new regulations that have been taken in by MarDep on Li Ion battery for both house and propulsion. Members please note: 

CHAPTER XI SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERY POWERED VESSELS

1       Application to Battery Powered Vessels

1.1    This chapter applies to local vessels that use electric power for the propulsion or general electrical loads with an installed battery capacity greater than 600Wh using cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes.  Such vessels shall comply with the requirements of this chapter in addition to any other applicable requirements of this code of practice.

2       Requirements for Battery Powered Vessels

2.1    Batteries shall be constructed and tested in accordance with the relevant IEC Publications or equivalent where applicable.

2.2    Any lithium-ion batteries and battery systems with a capacity greater than 600 Wh installed a local vessel shall comply with the Technical Specification Small Craft – Lithium-ion batteries (ISO/TS 23625:2021) or equivalent.   

2.3    Any local vessels of 24 meters or above, or any of the vessel type listed below, shall comply with the relevant rules published by an Authorized Organization for Electric Propulsion Systems or equivalent.

o Class I vessels; 

o Dangerous goods carriers;

o Oil / Noxious liquid substance / Gas carriers; 

o Special purpose vessels;

o Mobile fishing vessels; and

o Any Class II vessels that may navigate within river trade limits.

2.4 Any local vessels which do not belong to the vessels in paragraph 2.3 shall comply with the following:

(a) (c) (d) Vessels shall be constructed to the International Standards – Small Craft – Electric Propulsion System (ISO 16315:2016) and Small craft — Fire protection (ISO 9094), or their equivalent.

(b) Batteries shall be positioned aft of the collision bulkhead. 

(c) Boundaries of battery compartment which is part of a vessel’s structure orenclosures shall be of equivalent structural integrity and A-60 fire integrity.

(d) A battery compartment shall be fitted with fire/heat detectors or detection system where suitable.

(e) A battery compartment with combined stored energy over 50 kWh in lithium ion batteries shall be equipped with a type of fixed fire extinguishing system recommended as suitable for suppressing battery fire by the battery maker of the battery/ies.