The number of superyacht visits to Singapore has more than doubled in the past 12 months.

A target of 80 superyacht visits during 2010 had been set by the Superyacht Singapore Association (SSA) last year — but by June 54 superyacht visits had been acheived.

This compares to just 26 visits in the whole of 2009. Of the yachts that have already called into Singapore this year 39 were new visitors — a rise of 260 per cent.

The SSA believes the increase is due to regional economic recovery, a hike in charters — and new security measures taken by SE Asian governments to protect cruising areas.

Meanwhile, plans are well advanced for Singapore's second annual superyacht conference. The next Asia Superyacht Conference — to be held in October — is expected to have 30 speakers and 150 delegates. The event is being organised by Informa Yacht Group and will be sponsored by MTU and Pantaenius.




Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 11 August 2010