The 10th Anniversary Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) opened today.

While the traditional boating markets of Europe and the USA continue to struggle in the current economic climate, Phuket is benefiting from Asia’s growth and continues to attract international boat brands and marine products to exhibit.

The marine industry in Thailand continues to see strong growth with 15% year-on-year growth in marine leisure and tourism. PIMEX remains provides a marketing platform for businesses in the region to market to international visitors from as far away as Russia, Australia, China and beyond, and helps to generate over THB7 billion for the marine industry.

Andy Dowden, PIMEX Show Director said:

“PIMEX celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary this year and over the years we are proud the role PIMEX has had in helping to develop and promote Phuket and Asia’s marine industry. Together with marine and lifestyle businesses in Phuket and the region, PIMEX helps to position Phuket at the centre of Asia’s booming marine industry, and Asia as the key growth area in the global industry.”

“There is something for everyone at this years PIMEX. The in-water displays is one of the best yet, and the packed Exhibition Hall offers an interesting mix of marine and lifestyle products and services. Combined with the delightful setting of the five-star Royal Phuket Marina, PIMEX offers four-days of entertainment and makes for a great family outing.”

Boats on display range from ‘Blosson Uno’, an Astonda 102 GLX being shown by Princess Yachts Thailand brokerage, which is the largest in the Show this year, to trailer boats with every model, size and type in between. All the major boat brands from around the world are on display this year.

The Phuket International Boat Show is open from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th March at Royal Phuket Marina from 11:00am to 7:00pm daily, and closing 6:00pm on Sunday. Entry is free.

One growing trend that has been identified by many of the exhibitors is the desire of High Net Worth yacht owners to be increasingly environmentally friendly.

Sailing yachts are an obvious choice when it comes to low-impact yachting, but Royal Huisman’s 57.5m S/Y Twizzle is taking eco-consciousness to the next level.

The yacht, which is making her boat show debut at the Singapore Yacht Show, was specifically built to be environmentally friendly and is completely carbon neutral, offsetting all her carbon outputs. She was also one of the first yachts to agree to offset the emissions associated with her construction. Twizzle truly represents the way forward for owners looking to balance out the impact of a yacht upon the environment and oceans.

For those looking for a motoryacht, but still wanting to go green, Asian yard Kingship Marine offer plenty of expertise in this field. Their 44m Green Voyager project, which is nearing completion at their Chinese yard, represents true low-impact motor yachting. Low in emissions and high in efficiency, she is in compliance with RINA’s Green Star Plus notation. As well as being available to discuss Green Voyager and other green projects, Kingship will also be exhibiting their latest launch, the beautiful 42m Star, at the Show. Launched in 2012, and designed by Vripack, she is the biggest yacht the yard has launched to date, and features a light and minimalist interior.

She will join Twizzle in the exhibiting fleet as another stunning example of the custom yacht building options available to potential owners.

For a compromise between a motor and sail, Ocean Quality Systems will be presenting their 60ft Frers-designed Explorer C-60 catamaran model to visitors. The model combines the stability and volume of a motoryacht, with the range and economic running of a sailing yacht. With low environmental impact being a real goal for Ocean Quality Systems, the design offers a green option that includes lower emissions and fuel, and solar energy options that ensure enough power for critical systems at all times.

The Extreme Sailing Series will return to Singapore this year and it is widely expected that the Volvo Ocean Race will return to China as part of their next round the world event. The region is growing strongly, but will the growth translate to sailing?

There is no dout that Asia continues to grow as a playground for millionaires as they lavish on luxury yacht purchases. Bloomberg recently reported that, according to the 2012 World Wealth Report published by RBC and Capgemini, the number of individuals in Asia-Pacific with invest-able assets of $1 million to $5 million climbed 1.9 percent to 3.08 million individuals in 2011.

The country with the most ‘ultra-high net worth’ individuals (defined as having assets over US$20 million), is the Peoples Republic of China. It’s not just consumers who are spending. Shandong Heavy Industry Group-Weichai Group even purchased iconic Italian yacht builder Ferretti, displaying a combination of both spending power and good taste!

Singapore, as the centre of Asia’s wealth management industry, is also fast becoming a hub for luxury yachting. This ‘Monaco of the East’ is well served by both privileged banking and the luxury products industry. In Singapore, Boat Asia remains the key focal point for the ‘ultra-high net worth’ to acquire the necessary on-water accouterments for their “luxxe” lifestyle, because you simply haven’t ‘made it’ until you’ve acquired your very first yacht!

Much of this wealth will be on display at Boat Asia from 18-21st April 2013. Boat Asia will host more ‘ultra-high net worth’ Individuals from China and Southeast Asia through its exclusive hosted VIP Program, in partnership with the Bank of Singapore. This is where the serious money from China and Southeast Asia will be making their play for their new floating toys come April 2013, fully supported by the boat show’s Official Card, Mastercard.

Boat Asia 2013 kicks into even higher gear with Presenting Sponsor McLaren and Official Car Land Rover. Boat Asia 2013’s elite visitors travel in style on both land and sea.

Phuket Luxury Marine and lifestyle showcase.

It’s not just China that is growing its marine markets. The region is home to some of the fastest growing boats shows and owners are looking for both sailing and powerboats.

Asia’s top island resort destination and second-home of choice for millionaires and billionaires around the world, is set to showcase top global boat brands at the ninth Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), which will take place 29 March to 1st April 2012 at the award-winning marina and lifestyle destination, Royal Phuket Marina.

The leading consumer boat show in Asia, PIMEX has the largest in-water boat display. Over 50 boats representing the leading boat brands from around the world, will be on display. From uber-luxe multi-million dollar luxury superyachts to power boats, sailing yachts, tenders and dinghies, attracting boat enthusiasts and marine lifestyle-lovers from around Asia and beyond.

PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden said:

“The boat brands you see in Monaco, Cannes, and in Fort Lauderdale, you will find here at PIMEX. The number and diversity of brands is impressive, but more important is the quality of boats on display this year. The largest boat on display this year is a 92-foot powerboat, and the smallest a little over 20-foot. And there is everything in between – different sizes, specifications, prices, power and sail. Whatever your boating needs, you will find something to suit at PIMEX.”

The Ferretti Group, together with local dealer Lee Marine, will be showing the 92-foot Pershing – the largest boat at PIMEX 2012 – as well as a number of other models. For the first time this year, the flagship Fairline Squadron 78 Custom – a first show in Asia – will be presented by Derani Yachts, and Sunseeker will be showing three luxury flybridge yachts – the Manhattan 73, 63 and 53.

Princess have an exciting line-up with Asia Premieres for the V52 – a sports yacht – the P60 – a brand new model for Princess – and the 72MY.

There are also many quality mid-sized powerboats on display, and an increase in the number of sail boats showing this year, including the new Jeanneau 57, Prestige 440S and the award-winning Tartan 4000 which is showing for the first time in Asia, to name just some. And for those looking to dip a toe in the water of boat ownership, Absolute World Group are offering Fractional Boat Ownership.

Visitors to PIMEX 2011 came from over 15 countries, with a good number from outside of Asia. Russia was a big market in 2011 and is expected to be a growth market this year.

Dowden continued:

“We had a lot of positive feedback from last years exhibitors on the mix of visitor nationalities and the purchasing power of the Russian market. This year we have strategically targetted Russian visitors and are expecting an increase in this segment, together with our perennially strong visitor markets of Singapore, Hong Kong and expatriates in the region,”

A few weeks back, we wondered why sailing would turn its back on one of the most lucrative, growing audience sectors in favour of a mass-market product. While events like the America’s Cup World Series squabble for a mystical Youtube generation of fans, events like the Superyacht Cup, Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge and Nespresso Cup – seem to be better placed to make the most of a not insubstantial luxury sector.

And if you want to get a sense of where the luxury sector is going – check out  Hainan Rendez-Vous – the yacht and jet show from April 5th-8th 2012.

Following the success of two previous editions and only two years after the Beijing government announced its intention to transform Hainan into a global luxury destination, the Hainan Rendez-Vous (HRV), China’s leading superyacht and business jet show, is propelling Hainan to the very center of the international lifestyle scene.

Organizers are confident that the show is becoming a landmark event for China’s affluent and influential decision makers, providing them with a platform for top level communication and collaboration. Over 15,000 visitors attended the event last year, which was heavily covered in both domestic and international media.

HRV founder and CEO Delphine Lignieres said:

“With Hainan’s growing investment in boating infrastructure, the region’s significance within the industry will only increase. As a platform for bringing together companies and clients interested in the superyacht and megayacht categories, the HRV has no parallel in this part of the world.

Beyond yachting, HRV is also the largest business jet event in Asia, and with China fast becoming the most dynamic jet market worldwide, organizers are expecting even more jets next year.

Networking! Not your average Boat Show.

HRV is a unique concept that goes beyond the traditional trade fair organized in China. The event is above all a networking platform where high net worth individuals can not only discover the most advanced yachts, jets and supercars, but can also enjoy a true Riviera moment with a wide range of parties, events and exclusive gala dinners thrown by the event sponsors and participants.

The organizers have been overwhelmed by the level of interest they have received from all over the world, and HRV will play an increasingly important role in bringing together decision makers from west and east to exchange ideas on topics such as the future of mobility, innovation and design.

So – looking for yacht racing partners? Here’s an idea for somewhere to be in April.

Ernesto Bertarelli’s new 96 metre yacht Vava II is reported to be  the 33rd largest yacht in the world and given the history between Ellison and Bertarelli, it is perhaps no accident that the new yacht was unveiled in Plymouth yesterday with the America’s Cup crowd in town.

The Daily Mail reports that the yacht is the largest ever built in Britain with exterior finishes designed by Hampshire-based specialists Redman Whiteley Dixon. The interiors have been styled by Remi Tessier.

Whether or not the World Series event leaves any lasting legacy for Plymouth remains to be seen, so the juxtaposition of a world-class engineering project carried out by workers at the Devonport Royal Dockyard is a poignant one.

Managing Director Stephen Hills said the vessel was:

‘an absolute credit to the capacity of the South West as a superyacht building location. We are looking to continue this industry in the South West.’

Brendan O’Shannassy, who will helm the new yacht said:

‘To have such a ground breaking construction unveiled in Plymouth should make the region justly proud.’

Two visitors to Plymouth who will be keen to see how the city benefits from the economic impact of Larry Ellison’s activity in the city are Newport Mayor Stephen C. Waluk and Newport Visitors Bureau President Evan Smith.

Waluk, quoted by the Providence Journal said:

“This visit provides a great opportunity to see the impact of the races on the host community. Gaining a first-hand perspective on the benefits and challenges of the America’s Cup races should better prepare Newport for hosting an event of this magnitude.”

Smith said:

“Visiting Plymouth will offer us the unique opportunity to observe how the destination has set up the their transportation system to accommodate the influx of visitors, the signage that has been developed to aid the flow of thousands of people, the strategic placement of promotional sponsorship banners and what the overall need and impact will be in terms of housing sponsors, crews, media and spectators. By gaining this key background information, the City of Newport and the NCCVB will be able to better educate our local businesses on how to best organize for this exciting event coming to the City-by-the-Sea next June.”

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