Singapore experiences ‘boating boom’
The charter market in Singapore is currently very strong, as are boat sales
Boating within Singapore waters is at an all-time high, as boat owners and chartered boats pack popular anchorages over the weekends, confirms local boating expert Wade Pearce in a call with IBI.
“Despite restrictions imposed by the government to control the Covid-19 virus, which include a maximum number of passengers plus the crew on a pleasure craft, I estimate that there are double the number of boats in use over the weekends than in normal times. Recently the popular anchorage of St John’s Island had about 65 boats moored during the day with many staying overnight, an activity not normally that popular with Singapore boaters.
“The charter market is very strong, as are boat sales. Most of the boat dealers in Singapore are recording record sales activity, especially in the smaller boat market but also in the 70ft-90ft boat sector with availability of stock the limiting factor. During this time, the customer base has matured with many locals looking for larger boats while the smaller boats are popular with expatriates who are often in Singapore on short-term employment contracts.”
Delving into the reasons for the strong market in these unusual times, Pearce said: “Singapore is a small but prosperous island nation and in normal times travelling overseas to weekend destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia has been very popular. With the international borders effectively closed, the population has been looking for alternatives, and boating has featured strongly on this list. The bene t of being able to isolate and be self-contained on a boat with family and friends with the appeal of relatively safe exploration and adventure is proving attractive.”
YP Loke, chairman of the Singapore Boating Industry Association (SBIA), confirmed in a call with IBI the strong market conditions, adding: “The claustrophobic effect of a forced lockdown has led to a yearning for wide open spaces and a human reconnection with nature. Boating delivers on both these fronts, with dealers and charterers reporting a hive of activity.
“Although boating is subject to Covid safe guidelines, SBIA is pressing the point that leisure boating is an affordable, healthy outdoor activity for the family that can readily conform to Covid 19 safety measures. With increased boating activity in local waters, we are also helping to make more local destinations known to the boating community, the marinas in Singapore all meet current government safety requirements.”
Pearce has recently established the Singapore Marine Guide. “The guide is the first online platform in Singapore to help boaters, boatbuilders, marine suppliers and yacht brokers navigate the ever-evolving Singapore leisure marine industry,” he says. “The guide is designed specially for Singapore, covering the latest regulations, industry updates, cruising destinations and recreation activities in and around the local waters. The online listing platform already features 250-plus leisure marine businesses in Singapore, and provides a unique open and neutral marketplace for companies looking to promote their services to thousands of boating consumers in the region.
The guide can be accessed for free at https://sgmarineguide.com
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