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Asia's leading yacht dealer Simpson Marine expands its presence in China

16 May, 2012

Asia's leading yacht dealer Simpson Marine expands its presence in China. Adds superyachts and aviation to luxury portfolio.

(Hong Kong, April 10, 2012) – Award-winning Asian yacht specialist Simpson Marine is expanding its presence in China, opening new offices this month in Shenzhen and Sanya - the newly emerging centre for the luxury yachting lifestyle in China.

At the same time, the Hong Kong-headquartered yacht sales, charter and management company with branches throughout the Asia Pacific is also adding two new business units to its portfolio: Simpson Superyachts and Simpson Aviation.

The expansion leaves Simpson poised to take an important role in the superyacht and business aviation sectors in the fast growing luxury market in Asia.

Simpson Marine (www.simpsonmarine.com) was founded in 1984 by Mike Simpson and is supported by a skilled team of multinational yacht brokers with years of experience to guide clients through the yacht purchase process.

The company is already the leading Asian dealer and distributor for a wide range of top European and American yacht brands and provides region-wide customer support through its service centres in Hong Kong, China (Shenzhen & Hainan), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Simpson Superyachts adds a significant new dimension to the company’s business, catering exclusively to the very top end of the luxury yacht market.

Simpson Aviation meanwhile adds an aircraft brokerage service to the business which will allow Simpson to offer a range of private business jets and helicopters to its high net worth clients.

Simpson Marine continues to represent some of the world’s leading luxury yacht brands including Azimut yachts of Italy, Lagoon Catamarans from France, Nautor’s Swan of Finland and France’s Beneteau sail and powerboats.

It also represents Beneteau’s CNB semi-custom sailing yachts, Azimut’s Atlantis power boats and Sea Ray sport boats and yachts from the United States.

As well as new production yacht sales, Simpson Marine offers a full range of customer support services throughout Asia including pre-owned yacht brokerage, international and Asian chartering, yacht servicing, maintenance and management.

“China’s luxury market is growing fast and yachts are becoming the must have status symbol,” said Mike Simpson. “No other dealer in the Asian region is able to offer the same level of one-stop regional support to not only guide customers through the yacht purchasing process but also ensure they receive the full range of back-up services required to enjoy the yachting lifestyle,” he said.

Simpson’s new offices in China are at:

Simpson Marine (China) Limited Company, Unit 41, Level 15, Tower 2, Kerry Plaza, No.1 Zhong Xin Si Road,  Futian District, Shenzhen 518048, P.R. China (Tel: 86-755-33043142; Email: Shenzhen@simpsonmarine.com); and Simpson Marine Sanya, Serenity Marina, No.27 Lu Ling Road, Sanya, Hainan, China 572000 (Tel 86-898-8859 5593; Email: Hainan@simpsonmarine.com).

Simpson Marine has received a series of prestigious awards, including Azimut winner for “Best After Sales Service” (5 times) and “Best Service Technician”; Lagoon Best Dealer worldwide; Azimut Best Dealer worldwide (3 times); “Best Charter Company” and “Best Yacht Management” award by Asia Pacific Boating Magazine; and Azimut was awarded “Best Brand Presence” in Asia by Asia Pacific Boating Magazine.

Mike Simpson was also recognized in the 2010 Honorary Industry Achievement Awards.

 

Azimut Magellano 50’s debut in Hong Kong

8 May, 2012

On April 26, the maiden voyage ceremony of Azimut Magellano 50 was held at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Magellano 50, as the first long range 50 foot yacht in the world that acquired the RINA Green Plus certification, shows its respect towards the marine environment with its eco-compatibility as a motor yacht. At the speed up to 8 knots per hour with electronic engines, Magellano 50 is able to sail continuously in total silence under its exquisite design.

With its amazing debut of sleek styling and maximum simplicity, worldwide attention was attracted in the yachting and fashion industries where high praises were made. “Magellano 50 has been quoted as the bona fide green cruiser for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations”, while one of its owners went even further announcing its environmentally friendly concept, high level of comfort and sleek design, meets all my kinds of needs of business, party and entertainment.

The Spectacular Debut of the Green Cruiser

The maiden voyage ceremony is featured with the combination of Chinese and western elements, where a fashion show has been put on, and maiden voyage traditions such as worship, piglet cutting and the smashing of Champagne bottle have been preserved. 

At Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, April 26 witnessed the launching ceremony of Magellano 50 with over a hundred distinguished guests and media. Under shining sunlight and clear sky with flowing clouds, Magellano 50 was cruising in the fabulous Victoria Harbor with its silver hull and worldwide pioneer shark-fin windows, in its classic streamlined shape, making it harmoniously blend into the surrounding landscape.

Magellano 50 is owned by the famous fashion brand – Moreline, after the voyage, owner Mr. Sun has given a high praise of Magellano 50 with its environmentally friendly design concept, high level of comfort and sleek design, perfectly meets all my kinds of needs, be it business, party or entertainment.

Moreline, as a high end fashion brand has been upholding its brand philosophy to provide high quality products, to be trend setting in the international fashion market and to deliver the perfect self-image combined with tradition and modern fashion style.

During the fashion show, Moreline was able to showcase its fashion line with maturity, intellectuality and elegancy, where strong classical romanticism atmosphere has been created touching everyone at the event.

Go green for the respect of the marine environment

Environmental protection and Energy-saving & Emission reduction are two hot topics in the world today where fruitful experiments have already been successfully conducted in terms of design, materials and engines in the motor industry by many brands. In the yachting industry, the Italian Azimut-Benetti Group is dedicated to promoting the parallel development of sailing industry and environmental protection. Over the last decade, its R&D department has explored practical yet effective solutions towards energy saving and environmental protection with the aim to reduce the damage made to the marine environment.

The president of Azimut-Benetti Group, Paolo Vitelli mentioned that the successful introduction of Magellano 50 to the market strengthened our faith in producing Azimut family yachts that featured with being green and cozy to better meet the needs of our clients.  

Magellano 50, as the first long range yacht of 50 foot in the world that acquired the RINA Green Plus certification, shows its respect towards the marine environment with its eco-compatibility as a motor yacht. Moreover, Magellano 50 acquired A level yacht certification, presented by RINA, which indicates Magellano 50 is able to cruise safely under any weather conditions.

As the world’s first 50 foot motor yacht, Magellano 50 sets a precedent in many aspects such as its four alternative layouts below deck, to perfectly respond to the owner’s need, and outdoor bow salon, designed where styled sofa area can be made for owners to enjoy the view.

Even more, Magellano 50 as the first yacht among Azimut family yachts utilizes Easy Hybrid technology developed by the R&D department under Azimut-Benetti Group to achieve total silent continuously sailing at the speed of 8 knots/hr with electronic engine.

Its cruising power reaches up to over 1,000 sea miles, together with its tailored detailed for sailing, earned the praise as Magellano 50 is the bona fide green cruiser tailored for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations.

Go fashion under the professional safety guarantee

With the introduction of Azimut-Magellano 50 series, well-heeled fans were attracted, who are those sailing players with high level demand towards safety and environment.

According to Angel Zhou, general manager with Simpson Marine China, Magellano 50 has been designed with every detail being environmentally friendly to earn the honor of being the bona fide green cruiser tailored for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations.

Simpson Marine, the first and foremost yacht agency in Asia region, is delegated as the agent of Magellano 50. According to its founder, Mike Simpson, “with the rapid development of Chinese yachting market, yachts will sure turn into an essential social status label in the near future”.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011

14 February, 2012

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race came to a conclusion on January 1st, 2012 at the Royal Club of Tasmania, Australia.

Two First 45s on the top steps of the podium in IRC3 and two First 40s tying for third place in IRC4: the last Sydney-Hobart confirms that with the renewed high-performance range, Beneteau is ahead in the big league of offshore racing.

In their own way, the owners, Darryl Hodgkingson on Victoire and Paul Clitheroe on Balance (First 45), have repeated the double win of 2009, which already brought two First 40s to the top steps of the podium. By winning the IRC3 category for the 2nd consecutive year, Victoire and her crew have again achieved an impressive double. As for the astonishing tying finish of the two First 40s, Lunchtime and Two True, this is the first time this has happened in a race against the clock.

Like the Fastnet or Giraglia, the Sydney-Hobart is one of the legendary ocean races that unite the most experienced crews in the world at sea, in extreme conditions. It is a challenge for the crews but also for the boats, often severely tested throughout the 628 miles that separate Sydney (Australia) from Hobart (Tasmania). Of the 87 boats at the start of this 66th race, there were no fewer than 14 Beneteau.

The harshness of the weather on the evening of Boxing Day in Australia - the first night of the race - forced racers to contend with a sudden 180° wind swing with gusts of 40 knots, combined with the swell created by the tail end of Hurricane Fina, and made Gordon Maguire, the winner of this tough race, comment: "It's not an easy race to win. Admittedly racing with the best boat in the world is necessary, but you also need all the luck in the world! ".

Photo credits: Daniel Forster

May 2012

Asia's leading yacht dealer Simpson Marine expands its presence in China

16 May, 2012

Asia's leading yacht dealer Simpson Marine expands its presence in China. Adds superyachts and aviation to luxury portfolio.

(Hong Kong, April 10, 2012) – Award-winning Asian yacht specialist Simpson Marine is expanding its presence in China, opening new offices this month in Shenzhen and Sanya - the newly emerging centre for the luxury yachting lifestyle in China.

At the same time, the Hong Kong-headquartered yacht sales, charter and management company with branches throughout the Asia Pacific is also adding two new business units to its portfolio: Simpson Superyachts and Simpson Aviation.

The expansion leaves Simpson poised to take an important role in the superyacht and business aviation sectors in the fast growing luxury market in Asia.

Simpson Marine (www.simpsonmarine.com) was founded in 1984 by Mike Simpson and is supported by a skilled team of multinational yacht brokers with years of experience to guide clients through the yacht purchase process.

The company is already the leading Asian dealer and distributor for a wide range of top European and American yacht brands and provides region-wide customer support through its service centres in Hong Kong, China (Shenzhen & Hainan), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Simpson Superyachts adds a significant new dimension to the company’s business, catering exclusively to the very top end of the luxury yacht market.

Simpson Aviation meanwhile adds an aircraft brokerage service to the business which will allow Simpson to offer a range of private business jets and helicopters to its high net worth clients.

Simpson Marine continues to represent some of the world’s leading luxury yacht brands including Azimut yachts of Italy, Lagoon Catamarans from France, Nautor’s Swan of Finland and France’s Beneteau sail and powerboats.

It also represents Beneteau’s CNB semi-custom sailing yachts, Azimut’s Atlantis power boats and Sea Ray sport boats and yachts from the United States.

As well as new production yacht sales, Simpson Marine offers a full range of customer support services throughout Asia including pre-owned yacht brokerage, international and Asian chartering, yacht servicing, maintenance and management.

“China’s luxury market is growing fast and yachts are becoming the must have status symbol,” said Mike Simpson. “No other dealer in the Asian region is able to offer the same level of one-stop regional support to not only guide customers through the yacht purchasing process but also ensure they receive the full range of back-up services required to enjoy the yachting lifestyle,” he said.

Simpson’s new offices in China are at:

Simpson Marine (China) Limited Company, Unit 41, Level 15, Tower 2, Kerry Plaza, No.1 Zhong Xin Si Road,  Futian District, Shenzhen 518048, P.R. China (Tel: 86-755-33043142; Email: Shenzhen@simpsonmarine.com); and Simpson Marine Sanya, Serenity Marina, No.27 Lu Ling Road, Sanya, Hainan, China 572000 (Tel 86-898-8859 5593; Email: Hainan@simpsonmarine.com).

Simpson Marine has received a series of prestigious awards, including Azimut winner for “Best After Sales Service” (5 times) and “Best Service Technician”; Lagoon Best Dealer worldwide; Azimut Best Dealer worldwide (3 times); “Best Charter Company” and “Best Yacht Management” award by Asia Pacific Boating Magazine; and Azimut was awarded “Best Brand Presence” in Asia by Asia Pacific Boating Magazine.

Mike Simpson was also recognized in the 2010 Honorary Industry Achievement Awards.

 

Azimut Magellano 50’s debut in Hong Kong

8 May, 2012

On April 26, the maiden voyage ceremony of Azimut Magellano 50 was held at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Magellano 50, as the first long range 50 foot yacht in the world that acquired the RINA Green Plus certification, shows its respect towards the marine environment with its eco-compatibility as a motor yacht. At the speed up to 8 knots per hour with electronic engines, Magellano 50 is able to sail continuously in total silence under its exquisite design.

With its amazing debut of sleek styling and maximum simplicity, worldwide attention was attracted in the yachting and fashion industries where high praises were made. “Magellano 50 has been quoted as the bona fide green cruiser for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations”, while one of its owners went even further announcing its environmentally friendly concept, high level of comfort and sleek design, meets all my kinds of needs of business, party and entertainment.

The Spectacular Debut of the Green Cruiser

The maiden voyage ceremony is featured with the combination of Chinese and western elements, where a fashion show has been put on, and maiden voyage traditions such as worship, piglet cutting and the smashing of Champagne bottle have been preserved. 

At Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, April 26 witnessed the launching ceremony of Magellano 50 with over a hundred distinguished guests and media. Under shining sunlight and clear sky with flowing clouds, Magellano 50 was cruising in the fabulous Victoria Harbor with its silver hull and worldwide pioneer shark-fin windows, in its classic streamlined shape, making it harmoniously blend into the surrounding landscape.

Magellano 50 is owned by the famous fashion brand – Moreline, after the voyage, owner Mr. Sun has given a high praise of Magellano 50 with its environmentally friendly design concept, high level of comfort and sleek design, perfectly meets all my kinds of needs, be it business, party or entertainment.

Moreline, as a high end fashion brand has been upholding its brand philosophy to provide high quality products, to be trend setting in the international fashion market and to deliver the perfect self-image combined with tradition and modern fashion style.

During the fashion show, Moreline was able to showcase its fashion line with maturity, intellectuality and elegancy, where strong classical romanticism atmosphere has been created touching everyone at the event.

Go green for the respect of the marine environment

Environmental protection and Energy-saving & Emission reduction are two hot topics in the world today where fruitful experiments have already been successfully conducted in terms of design, materials and engines in the motor industry by many brands. In the yachting industry, the Italian Azimut-Benetti Group is dedicated to promoting the parallel development of sailing industry and environmental protection. Over the last decade, its R&D department has explored practical yet effective solutions towards energy saving and environmental protection with the aim to reduce the damage made to the marine environment.

The president of Azimut-Benetti Group, Paolo Vitelli mentioned that the successful introduction of Magellano 50 to the market strengthened our faith in producing Azimut family yachts that featured with being green and cozy to better meet the needs of our clients.  

Magellano 50, as the first long range yacht of 50 foot in the world that acquired the RINA Green Plus certification, shows its respect towards the marine environment with its eco-compatibility as a motor yacht. Moreover, Magellano 50 acquired A level yacht certification, presented by RINA, which indicates Magellano 50 is able to cruise safely under any weather conditions.

As the world’s first 50 foot motor yacht, Magellano 50 sets a precedent in many aspects such as its four alternative layouts below deck, to perfectly respond to the owner’s need, and outdoor bow salon, designed where styled sofa area can be made for owners to enjoy the view.

Even more, Magellano 50 as the first yacht among Azimut family yachts utilizes Easy Hybrid technology developed by the R&D department under Azimut-Benetti Group to achieve total silent continuously sailing at the speed of 8 knots/hr with electronic engine.

Its cruising power reaches up to over 1,000 sea miles, together with its tailored detailed for sailing, earned the praise as Magellano 50 is the bona fide green cruiser tailored for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations.

Go fashion under the professional safety guarantee

With the introduction of Azimut-Magellano 50 series, well-heeled fans were attracted, who are those sailing players with high level demand towards safety and environment.

According to Angel Zhou, general manager with Simpson Marine China, Magellano 50 has been designed with every detail being environmentally friendly to earn the honor of being the bona fide green cruiser tailored for true players to rediscover the gentle pleasure of navigations.

Simpson Marine, the first and foremost yacht agency in Asia region, is delegated as the agent of Magellano 50. According to its founder, Mike Simpson, “with the rapid development of Chinese yachting market, yachts will sure turn into an essential social status label in the near future”.

February 2012

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011

14 February, 2012

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race came to a conclusion on January 1st, 2012 at the Royal Club of Tasmania, Australia.

Two First 45s on the top steps of the podium in IRC3 and two First 40s tying for third place in IRC4: the last Sydney-Hobart confirms that with the renewed high-performance range, Beneteau is ahead in the big league of offshore racing.

In their own way, the owners, Darryl Hodgkingson on Victoire and Paul Clitheroe on Balance (First 45), have repeated the double win of 2009, which already brought two First 40s to the top steps of the podium. By winning the IRC3 category for the 2nd consecutive year, Victoire and her crew have again achieved an impressive double. As for the astonishing tying finish of the two First 40s, Lunchtime and Two True, this is the first time this has happened in a race against the clock.

Like the Fastnet or Giraglia, the Sydney-Hobart is one of the legendary ocean races that unite the most experienced crews in the world at sea, in extreme conditions. It is a challenge for the crews but also for the boats, often severely tested throughout the 628 miles that separate Sydney (Australia) from Hobart (Tasmania). Of the 87 boats at the start of this 66th race, there were no fewer than 14 Beneteau.

The harshness of the weather on the evening of Boxing Day in Australia - the first night of the race - forced racers to contend with a sudden 180° wind swing with gusts of 40 knots, combined with the swell created by the tail end of Hurricane Fina, and made Gordon Maguire, the winner of this tough race, comment: "It's not an easy race to win. Admittedly racing with the best boat in the world is necessary, but you also need all the luck in the world! ".

Photo credits: Daniel Forster