SINGAPORE — The Superyacht Singapore Association (SSA) and local marinas have joined forces to offer the best possible experience in conjunction with the Singapore Grand Prix Season and the Volvo Ocean Race.
An exciting season of top-notch lifestyle experiences is set to complement the historic 2008 Formula One/SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, giving superyacht owners more reasons to come to Singapore for the season, from end-September all the way to December for the much anticipated Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 Singapore Stopover, the first and only South East Asian stopover leg.
Held over three weekends from 20 September to 5 October, the Singapore GP Season is anchored by more than 10 lifestyle events and premium experiences that include the Singapore River Festival, Opera Gallery’s, Master’s Formula , The Artistic Drive, Amber Lounge and The Bulgari Watch Exhibition amongst many others.
A key highlight of the Singapore GP Season is the inaugural Singapore River Festival, a week long celebration that focuses on three key elements: water, heritage and entertainment.
Another key highlight is the Master’s Formula – The Artistic Drive – an exhibition that will showcase monumental sculptures of contemporary masters including Fernando Botero, Arman Fernandez, Robert Combas, Jean Dubuffet and Niki de Saint Phalle at two key tourism precincts – Orchard Road and Singapore River. Art lovers can also look forward to paintings and smaller sculptures of modern art superlatives like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse at Opera Gallery in Ngee Ann City.
However, it is clear that the season won’t stop there as Singapore will also host in December its first ever leg of Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s most challenging elite offshore sailing race, organised and promoted by ONE15 Singapore Ocean Race.
In that exceptional context, the Superyacht Singapore Association and Singapore’s marinas have agreed not to increase their berthing fees for the season. Arthur Tay, Chairman of SSA explains: “Singapore has always been known for being a great place for business but it is also becoming an absolutely delightful place to live or simply relax. Because it can do both at same time, and thanks to the two fantastic large-scale events brought to its shore, we have a unique opportunity to build Singapore as a great destination in the mind and heart of superyacht owners. Superyachts can actually start their Asian cruising season in September for the F1 race, then cruise to the beautiful islands of Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand and come back for the Volvo race after a few weeks of really unique cruising. One day the yacht could be in the fever of F1, the next day it could be in a remote island with no other superyacht in sight.”.
Jean-Jacques Lavigne, SSA’s Executive Director continues: “As we want to position Singapore as a destination and a superyacht hub in its own right, we discussed between our members and agreed that we should not increase our berthing rates for the season.”
Such a move could be seen as bold as there is a limited supply of superyacht berths in Singapore. YP Loke, SSA Vice-Chairman comments: “There are over 30 very good quality superyacht berths in Singapore but we have never seen them filled at the same time. Let’s get that done first, let’s deliver great service to the yachts, their owners and their crews and we will progress from there. More and more yachts are coming here on a regular basis so really the best way to build the third destination is actually to keep them coming and enjoying everything during their stay, from the events, to the food, the ease of getting supplies, repairs etc. ”
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Besides the fixed berth fees, SSA is also planning to host its own functions and niche events for superyacht owners, their crews etc.
About Superyacht Singapore Association
The Superyacht Singapore Association is a non-profit association formed in 2007 by a representative superyacht industry group with the priority objective of “promoting Singapore as a Superyacht destination and a hub to create economic value for Singapore in the superyacht industry” (Mission Statement).
For more information, please visit www.superyacht.sg
For superyacht berthing information, please contact:
ONE° 15 Marina Club (www.one15marina.com)
Raffles Marina (www.rafflesmarina.com.sg)
RSYC (www.rsyc.org.sg)
Marina at Keppel Bay (www.marinakeppelbay.com)
For more event details on the Singapore Grand Prix Season, please visit www.visitsingapore.com/sgpseason
For more information on the Singapore Grand Prix, please visit, www.singaporegp.sg
For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race and ONE15 Singapore Ocean Race, please visit,
https://www.volvooceanrace.org/news/article/2007/november/singaporeannounced/
