Charting the future: strategic insights from the Australian Superyacht Conference

Charting the future: strategic insights from the Australian Superyacht Conference

In May, the fourteenth edition of the Australian Superyacht Conference (ASMEX), the only event of its kind, was held in the Gold Coast. It brought together 135 delegates from across from Australia and around the globe. Attendees hailed from regions including the Fijian Islands, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vanuatu and Vietnam.¹

The conference showcased the exciting growth prospects for the superyacht industry in Australia. These opportunities extend across all sectors of the marine industry, not only for yacht owners and builders, but also for supporting businesses such as shipbuilders, marina operators, shipyards, yacht managers, and insurance more broadly.

Economic contribution of the superyacht sector

Ben Taylor, a renowned global marketing strategist and host of The Ben Taylor Podcast, opened the conference by highlighting “this is a unique region of the world with highly nuanced challenges and successes”.²   Despite Australia’s smaller population it continues to be a strong contender in the market, ranking among the top superyacht-owning nations.³  With the support of the Queensland government, marinas are set to expand to meet the challenges of the yachting industry. 

The commitment towards developing and supporting the Australian superyacht industry is further evidenced by the launch of the first-ever Sydney Charter Show in February 2026.⁴  This exclusive event will exhibit vessels in the current charter market and showcase destination partners alongside service providers to both existing and potential new charter clients, positioning Australia and the South Pacific as premier charter destinations.

The economic impact of this expansion is also highly significant. David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia and the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) stated, “the economic impact is on the rise as when larger vessels make it down under, they are staying longer and undertaking more refit work than ever. The total economic impact in Australia in 2024 being $87 million even with access through the Red Sea limiting the number of vessels that can access Australia’’.

This level of economic activity underscores the value and complexity of assets involved. Larger vessels undertaking refit work represent substantial capital investment, which greatly increases the need for comprehensive insurance solutions to protect owners, shipyards, and service providers. Insurance not only safeguards these high-value projects but also enables confidence for operators to commit to extended stays and major works, supporting the sector’s continued growth.

Demand for larger, long-range vessels is on the rise 

Arguably one of the most prominent themes of the conference was around the increase in size of the yachts in Australia. Echo Yachts, based in Western Australia, presented several of their current projects at the conference, including the world’s largest sailing superyacht catamaran. This vessel rivals the creations of leading European builders of Benetti Yachts and Cantiere delle Marche. Both builders are equally excited about the growing interest from Australian yacht owners who are demanding larger, eco-sustainable, long-range explorer yachts, capable of cruising vast parts of Australia and beyond. 

Similarly, Louise De New, Account Director at BOATPro by BOAT International, emphasized that vessels are greatly increasing in volume and onboard space, and praised the optimism and innovation of the Australian industry.⁵  The demand for explorer yachts above 35m in Australia is rapidly growing and the industry is gearing up to attract this clientele in the next few years, prior to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.  

Sustainability as a strategic imperative 

Sustainability emerged as another dominant theme throughout the conference, particularly across key areas of design, construction and operation. In a recent article with Cantiere delle Marche (CdM), an Italian luxury yacht builder, environmental sustainability was repeatedly referenced as a core focus of their yacht-building operations.⁶  The company is actively integrating eco-friendly materials into the construction process. They are also exploring alternative propulsion technologies, such as kite-assisted systems, to reduce reliance on traditional, high-emission fuels and supporting the use of biofuels to replace them.⁷ 

Feadship and Oceanco, two of the world’s most prestigious yacht builders, can be considered leaders in sustainability innovation in the industry. Their initiatives, such as Feadship’s net-zero by 2030 roadmap and Oceanco’s NXT program, exemplify the kind of forward-thinking innovation that the Australian superyacht sector should actively engage with to remain globally competitive. 

Given Australia’s strong reputation for eco-tourism and environmental stewardship, the local market is well-positioned to lead in sustainable yacht design and differentiate itself on the global stage⁹. 

Insurance as a catalyst for confidence and compliance

Insurance will continue to play a critical role in Australia’s growing yachting industry, particularly for owners of high-value vessels. Yacht owners of this magnitude will rely on insurance brokers to secure tailored coverage that protects their investment and gives them the peace of mind when cruising throughout Australia, the South Pacific and the Mediterranean. 

This represents more than just essential risk management planning; insurance plays a strategic role in facilitating operational freedom - ensuring compliance with international regulation, access to marinas, and liability for chartering. 

Ensuring you have a specialised insurance solution in place means that the complex risks involved in this industry are accounted for, giving you confidence wherever you may cruise.

¹Australian Superyacht Conference ASMEX 2025 Thrives at New Gold Coast Venue with Revitalised Program’, ASMEX Conference, <https://www.asmex-conference.com.au/news/australian-superyacht-conference-asmex-2025-thrives-at-new-gold-coast-venue-with-revitalised-program/> (accessed 22 September 2025).
²Australian Superyacht Conference ASMEX 2025 Thrives at New Gold Coast Venue with Revitalised Program’, ASMEX Conference, <https://www.asmex-conference.com.au/news/australian-superyacht-conference-asmex-2025-thrives-at-new-gold-coast-venue-with-revitalised-program/> (accessed 22 September 2025).
³In Conversation: Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) Australia’, Marine Business News, https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2025/03/in-conversation-cantiere-delle-marche-cdm-australia/ (accessed 22 September 2025).
⁴Yachting Pages, “Sydney Charter Show to Launch at Jones Bay Marina in 2026,” Yachting Pages, accessed October 23, 2025, https://www.yachting-pages.com/articles/sydney-charter-show-jones-bay-marina-2026-news.html (accessed 23 October 2025).
⁵Australian Superyacht Conference ASMEX 2025 Thrives at New Gold Coast Venue with Revitalised Program’, ASMEX Conference, <https://www.asmex-conference.com.au/news/australian-superyacht-conference-asmex-2025-thrives-at-new-gold-coast-venue-with-revitalised-program/> (accessed 22 September 2025).
⁶In Conversation: Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) Australia’, Marine Business News, https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2025/03/in-conversation-cantiere-delle-marche-cdm-australia/ (accessed 22 September 2025).
⁷In Conversation: Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) Australia’, Marine Business News, https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2025/03/in-conversation-cantiere-delle-marche-cdm-australia/ (accessed 22 September 2025).
⁸In Conversation: Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) Australia’, Marine Business News, https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2025/03/in-conversation-cantiere-delle-marche-cdm-australia/ (accessed 22 September 2025).
⁹In Conversation: Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) Australia’, Marine Business News, https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2025/03/in-conversation-cantiere-delle-marche-cdm-australia/ (accessed 22 September 2025).