The Fraser Yachts team, led by CEO Anders Kurtén, joined industry pioneers at the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Summit (APSS) 2025 (May 7–8). Hosted by SuperYacht Times at Hong Kong’s Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, this second annual summit united 275 global leaders—a 57% attendance surge from 2024—to advance Asia’s superyacht future
Fraser Yachts’ Thought Leadership
Laura Verbrugge, Fraser’s Asia Manager for Sales & Charter, contributed to the panel “How to Build a Superyacht Destination”. She highlighted the need for regional regulatory harmonization to simplify cross-border cruising and addressed Asia’s shortage of 35–45m charter-ready yachts. Verbrugge noted: “Captains cite paperwork frustrations when navigating Asian waters—streamlining is key for attracting newcomers”
Monaco-based Sales Broker Jan Jaap Minnema joined the summit, touring Hong Kong marinas and Fraser’s redesigned local office to strengthen on-ground operations. CEO Anders Kurtén engaged with family offices, marina developers, and regulators to align Fraser’s services with regional growth opportunities
Key Superyacht Summit Themes
Sustainability: Energy-reduction technologies were presented for new builds and refits, stressing balanced environmental and operational goals.
Emerging Markets: Brokers from India, Indonesia, and Vietnam discussed strategies to engage Asia’s younger generation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) .
Digital Outreach: Social media influencer Ben Sumadiwiria (“Supercoolben”) urged the industry to revitalize content for younger audiences.
Challenges and Opportunities
Speakers identified critical gaps in Hong Kong’s offerings:
Limited 70m+ berths (forcing larger yachts to offshore mooring).
Restrictive water sports policies (e.g., bans on Seabobs/e-foils).
Opportunities included leveraging Japan’s new Base Kobe marina (operational since April 2025) and Thailand’s cost-effective refit facilities.
The summit reinforced Fraser’s commitment to Asia’s superyacht evolution. As Kurtén noted: “Collaborative efforts across infrastructure, regulation, and client experience will accelerate the region’s global relevance.” Post-summit, Fraser will deepen partnerships with marina developers and policymakers to bridge operational gaps.
