Industry leaders headlined the Southeast Asia Yachting Conference(SEAYC) that saw more than 200 delegates at the two-day programme, 8-9 April, 2025

Industry leaders headlined the Southeast Asia Yachting Conference(SEAYC) that saw more than 200 delegates at the two-day programme, 8-9 April, 2025. Organised by ONE°15 Events and hosted at ONE15 Marina, Sentosa Cove, Singapore, the conference began with a Keynote Panel Address by Marco Valle, CEO of Azimut|Benetti Group, and Arthur Tay, Chairman and CEO of SUTL Group and ONE°15 Marina, led by MC Wicky Sundram MBA, CMP.

Valle highlighted the untapped potential of the region, and Tay, who has established first-class marinas in Asia, believes that it is quality marina developments that will most benefit the yachting industry’s development in the region. Highlights from the first day's programme included a presentation by Cissy Chan (Airport Authority Hong Kong) on the ground breaking SKYTOPIA project, a panel discussion led by Jonathan Sit (SUTL Enterprise) looked at the future Asian coastal marina developments with Santeri Suoranta (Marinetek), Suzanne Davies (MIA) and Cissy Chan. Charter and tourism were covered in a panel discussion led by Mike Sager (Ankor Software) with Gordon Fernandes (Asia Pacific Superyachts), Vu Tran (Tam Son Yachting), Maria Widhysari (Asia Global Yachting). Joe Lynch F CIM (ICOMIA) presented ‘Propelling Our Future’, that was followed by a panel discussion with Harvey Brewin (Simpson Marine), Artur Poloczanski(Sunreef), and Daniel He(Momentum Electric Marine). Ee Pin Lee (Neste) talked about the latest advancements in renewables and biofuels. 


Day 2 had a superyacht focus, with Steven Hawkins (J.P. Morgan Private Bank) leading the discussion on the evolution of a new generation of explorer superyachts for more adventurous owners with Peter Mahony, (Benetti Yachts), Chris Blackwell (Echo Yachts), and Sarah Favell (Damen Yachting). Mohammed Hussain Alshaali (Gulf Craft) was interviewed by Michael Derrett (IBI News) on recent Middle East yachting developments, and the way that Gulf Craft has engaged a new audience in the region. Suzy Rayment (Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association) led a panel discussion on superyachts migration trends in the SEA region, with Scott Walker (Asia Pacific Superyacht), YH Fang (Yachting Singapore), and Joe Yuen (Lodestone Yachts). Wicky Sundram led a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities to develop maintenance facilities across the region with Paolo Tazzini (Yachtalia), Rob 'Doc' Taylor (Clearvac Engineering Asia), Tomasz Mielczarek (Boat Lagoon Yachting), and Kent Tan (Go Ocean). Sundram and Lynch summed up the conference, noting that it was well attended by professionals, the Keynote Panel provided vision and ideas on how the industry can move forward as a whole. The range of experienced expert panellists encouraged factual discussions, and highlighted key topics for the industry. 'Collaboration' was a common theme; more than ever, the yacht industry needs proactive engagement and advocacy with governments.