Singapore is ever expanding in the world of superyachts and can now offer luxury yachts and their crew, a range of facilities, services and other advantages according to leading yacht services company, Yachting Singapore.
In a recent interview with Yachting Pages, Y H Fang, managing director of Yachting Singapore, explained how Singapore has seen visits from some of the world’s most luxurious vessels due to its growing popularity.Fang commented, “Business in Singapore has been growing around 20 per cent annually over the last three years. We have worked on many luxury yachts including M/Y Cloud 9, M/Y TV and M/Y Big Fish providing a range of works including anything from engineering works to carpet cleaning.”Singapore now boasts a range of high quality refit and repair facilities and can accommodate some of the world’s largest superyachts. There are three marinas in Singapore that are suitable for superyachts: Raffles Marina (RM), One15 Marina Club (One15) and Marina at Keppel Bay (MKB). RM was officially opened in 1994 and prior to that, Singapore only had small yacht clubs, sailing clubs and boatels. One15 and MKB both started in 1997. Since then, the marinas and facilities have continued to expand in order to offer superyachts a high standard of facilities.Fang explained, “Historically, Singapore has been a transhipment centre with one of the busiest ports in the world. There is a huge workforce involved in the marine sector with a well-established ship building and repair industry. There are at least five medium sized shipyards with docking facility for yachts up to 120m and three well managed marinas for berthing and afloat repairs.“Regional distribution and service centres for major brands have set up shops here. In addition, Singapore is the regional aviation base with a repair and overhaul facility for helicopters. Parts arriving via sea or air are normally cleared within 48hrs because of the efficient logistic support and clear and concise custom procedure (only liquor, tobacco, motor vehicles and petroleum products are dutiable when importing to Singapore).”As well as the growing industry and repair facilities, Singapore is also an attractive tourist destination for captains and crew.Fang commented, “Singapore is a modern city offering a clean, safe environment. There is also full transparency when working with government agencies. Air hub connectivity and budget airlines also mean that crews can visit exotic places like Borobudur in Indonesia and Angkor Wat in Cambodia with less than a three hour flight time. That gives crews plenty to do while in Singapore.”Fang also explained how Singapore still faces challenges from other destinations, which are perceived to be cheaper than Singapore, “We are still facing the stereotype that the cost of works completed in Singapore is more costly than Thailand and Malaysia alternatives. It’s also a challenge in educating new Asian yacht owners on the operation and maintenance of their new found interests.”