Governments across many island nations in the Asia-Pacific region are actively working to bolster the yachting community and industry by approving the development and expansion of marinas, along with implementing new regulations to accommodate larger superyachts.

In Thailand, recent regulatory changes by the Marine Department aim to boost the marine tourism sector by revising rules for superyacht and sports boat arrivals. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced these updates on September 22nd, highlighting the Transport Ministry’s efforts to position Thailand as a leading marina hub in Asia. The key revisions include reducing the minimum length requirement for superyachts from 30 meters to 24 meters, while maintaining a passenger cap of 12, in line with international standards. The new regulations also mandate insurance coverage of at least USD 5 million per incident and have streamlined administrative procedures through an electronic application system.

Thailand’s proactive approach is reflected in Phuket’s rising superyacht traffic, with the Ministry of Transport reporting 41 superyachts visiting in 2021, 117 in 2022, and 148 in 2023. Plans are also underway to develop new cruise terminals at Laem Chabang Port and Koh Samui, reinforcing the government’s vision of promoting Thailand as a premier marina destination in the region.

In the Maldives, the highly anticipated Zamani Islands Superyacht Marina is set to launch in 2026, as announced by APS Maldives Managing Director Mohamed Hameed. This state-of-the-art facility, the first dedicated Superyacht Marina in the Maldives, will feature 120 berths and span three resorts across eight islands. To further enhance accessibility, the Maldives has relaxed rules for visiting yachts, extending free cruising permits to vessels up to 20 meters, up from the previous 15-meter limit. The Maldives has become a top cruising destination, with 35 to 50 superyachts visiting annually, including mega yachts up to 150 meters in length. Hameed noted that the cruising season has expanded from November to May, with vessels now staying longer, averaging 45-60 days.

APS directors and experts will be present as the Platinum Sponsor at the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association’s ‘Asia Superyacht Night in Monaco’ on September 24th and will be available at the APS Stand DS25 from September 25th to 28th. The event will see the highest number of APS member experts attending to engage with visitors interested in cruising Asia and global yachting opportunities. Notable APS members in attendance include Gordon Fernandes, Tanyuta Singhmanee (Jojo), Mohamed Hameed, Nadhira Muneer, Wadhood Adam, Keith Mellon, Gilbert O’Ffay, Christophe Houareau, R. Rathnam, and Alex Harrison.

With the relaxation of restrictions and improvements in infrastructure, the Asia-Pacific region is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for superyacht owners, captains, and industry professionals. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the Andaman Islands are particularly favored, offering a year-round cruising season and unparalleled experiences for the yachting community.

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