The Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA) organised a welcome party for the latest superyachts and yacht crew that arrived in the region. The party took place in the Haven restaurant at Yacht Haven, the famous superyacht marina. Yacht Haven is situated in the north-east of Phuket, Thailand‘s major superyacht hub. The event was sponsored by one of APSA founding members Northrop & Johnson as well as Helm Superyacht Asia-Pacific magazine.

Transport vessel Combi Dock 1, owned by Combi Lift, arriving safely into Phuket, Thailand on October 28. Photo Credit: Helicam Thailand

The timing was just one week after Dockwise Yacht Transport’s combi lift ship ‘Combi 1’ arrived in Phuket with an unprecedented five superyachts on-board. The crews were welcomed to the region by APSA, Northrop & Johnson and Helm magazine.

The crews of almost all the yachts on the Dockwise ship were able to attend the party along with local superyacht businesses and APSA members, a total of around 100 partygoers.

This delivery is likely the largest single shipment of superyachts to Asia to date, and represents a significant growth of superyacht numbers in the region. This is underscored by Dockwise’s comment that they will be increasing shipments to and from Asia. Two of the yachts will be based in the region full-time; the others are currently undecided on the length of stay.

It is expected that all of the yachts will charter and interestingly one, Sanlorenzo motor yacht Onyx, was shipped here at the owners request to be sold. The captain explained Onyx yacht’s owner felt its presence in Asia would expose it to a new market; one where he expects to achieve a better price than in the overcrowded Mediterranean, oversupplied with brokerage yachts.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for the APSA Founding Members to get together, 5 APSA member companies attended the party; Yacht Solutions, Big Blue Consulting, Asia-Pacific Superyachts, Electrical Marine and Northrop and Johnson.

Of the event, Rico Stapel of Northrop & Johnson, one of APSA’s Founding Member companies, commented: “We are delighted to see so many superyachts choosing Phuket as their new destination. Finally this beautiful part of the world and Asia itself receive the attention they deserve. We hope that many more owners and captains will take advantage of the exquisite cruising grounds and infrastructure the region has to offer”.