Bart Kimman, Director of Holland Custom Yachts, says Hong Kong is the ideal branding centre to assist Asian buyers in their choice of yachts

Hong Kong is a key regional centre for developing yachting brands with sales set to soar on the crest of demand, according to the head of a Dutch yacht firm with regional headquarters in the city.

Bart Kimman, Director of Holland Custom Yachts, said there is enormous demand  for super yachts - measuring over 100 feet - all over the Asia-Pacific region especially in Malaysia, the Chinese mainland, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan.

Hong Kong, he said, has huge advantages as a branding centre. It is a platform to the rest of Asia, especially the Chinese mainland which has become a stronger market with the impetus of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, greater disposable wealth and new lifestyle demands.

"With our regional headquarters in Hong Kong, we're into branding. We have to do branding before we make our first sales as a 100 ft super yacht costs around HK$80 million (US$10 million)."  

Although cynics might say yachts are an expensive way to get wet, these "monarchs of the sea" have attracted wealthy people and companies who see them as "statements of exclusivity".

Regional edge

According to Mr Kimman, there are opportunities in shipyard sales for both Hong Kong and Singapore, but Hong Kong has an advantage.

"The Hong Kong market for yard sales is much bigger. After five years, people want newer and bigger boats so that leaves us with a bigger fleet of used boats that need to be sold. We need professional brokers to sell to the next generation of boat users."

Hong Kong, he said, has the marketing and engineering skills to build marinas and engineering yards and to sell and broker yachts.

"Hong Kong has the maritime experience and many international companies use Hong Kong as a gateway to Asia. The city not only has yachting skills honed over 120 years but it also has a strong sailing culture and yacht clubs with training for kids and boating activities," he added.

Mr Kimman said the objective of Holland Custom Yachts is to assist yachtsmen from Asia with their choice of yacht, be it power or sail, semi or custom built.

Yachting to catch wave of demand
   
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