Hong Kong is a hub for the yachting community in Asia, and is where Rosemont International International in Hong Kong Ltd is located.
With the recent economic development of Asia there has been a corresponding expansion in private yachting and cruising in the unspoilt and still undeveloped waters of South East Asia and Oceania. Nowhere can rival the extent of the cruising area from Japan in the north to New Zealand to the south, with favourite destinations including the waters of Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, as well as Bali, Fiji and the Pacific islands. Yachting is rapidly catching up with the established areas of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
The international commercial centre of Hong Kong is positioned geographically and economically at the epicenter of the yachting world in Asia. Often described as the Pearl of the Orient, Hong Kong has the most advanced yachting infrastructure in the region and benefits from a natural deep water harbour. In Hong Kong, owners benefit from having direct access to yacht brokers, managers and other yachting professionals resulting from the major yachting events and the major expansion of yachting developments taking place in the region and beyond.
The famous Hong Kong Yacht Club provides top facilities to yacht owners in the area and is on the doorstep of some of the best cruising waters in the world. The climate is relatively benign, allowing the freedom of cruising the stunning coast with over 260 coastal islands. New marinas are under development within these outstanding cruising grounds, with the most recent being the Baroque project on Lamma Island.
The growth in yachting and the importance of superyachts in the region can be seen at the internationally important annual shows in Hainan, Singapore and Dalian. These shows highlight the drive to construct and develop new marinas in order to provide excellent facilities to yachts and the increase in the importance of Asian shipyards for high quality yacht construction. Historically Taiwan has led the field, yet more recently, Chinese companies are driving the growth through the acquisition of well-known European builders Ferretti and Sunseeker.
Rosemont (Hong Kong) Ltd is ideally placed in Asia to assist clients in all areas of professional service, with a dedicated team which includes native English, French and Chinese speakers. Rosemont (Hong Kong) is closely involved in yachting with its director, Mr Raphael Beaudrey, sitting on the Board of Directors of Asia Pacific Superyacht Association.
Elsewhere in Asia
Singapore
In common with China, Singapore is keen to develop yachting in this city state with the objective of turning Singapore into a major yachting hub. There is a good infrastructure for yachting with approximately twenty yacht clubs and six marinas. With the development of suitable facilities events have followed with Singapore being a port of call for the Volvo Ocean Race and the Clipper Round the World Race. Keppel Bay Marina was a very successful venue for the Boat Asia event and the 2015 edition of the Singapore Yacht Show is being held at One°15 marina Club at Sentosa Cove.
China
In recent years the Chinese authorities have encouraged the construction of new marinas and associated developments. Marine sport and yachting have enjoyed a substantial boost with the hosting of major events including sailing at the 2008 Olympic Games at Qingdao and at Hainan, which is already well known for its annual Yacht Show and a staging post for major international events as the Volvo Ocean Race, Clipper Round the World Race and the domestic China Cup.
Thailand
Yachting remains in its early stages of its development and we can see a bright future ahead. The Thai authorities are actively promoting Thailand as a destination with stunning unspoilt locations and a tropical climate. Recent legislative changes have been put in place to facilitate chartering in Thailand. At present there are seven major marinas with five clustered around Phuket. Ocean Marina is the largest with 500 berths and able to accommodate yachts up to 96 meters in length. The major event of the year is the invitation-only Superyacht Race.
Fiji
Fiji offers a hub for yachting in the South Pacific. There are plans to develop the existing Vuda Point Marina to provide superyacht capacity with berths of up to 65 meters in length and a draught of up to 6 meters.
Indonesia
The centre of yachting in Indonesia is Bali which offers year round yachting with stunning locations. However, facilities are at present limited with current marina developments unable to cater for the larger yachts though this is expected to change in the future.
Contacts :
Raphael Beaudrey
Rosemont International in Hong Kong
Unit 1904-5, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre,
135 Bonham Strand,
Sheung Wan,
Hong Kong
email: r.beaudrey@rosemont.hk
Pierre Vanrenterghem
Rosemont International in Singapore
96 Robinso Road
#11-04 SIF Building
Singapore 068899
email: p.vanren@rosemont.sg