CHARTING CHINA’S BLUE AMBITIONS: 2025 CICPE SANYA BOAT FESTIVAL SHOWCASES INNOVATION AND GROWTH

As China’s southern gateway to the sea, Sanya continues to consolidate its position as the “City of a Thousand Yachts” with a maturing marine industry and supportive policy environment. From April 15–18, 2025, the CICPE Sanya Boat Festival will return to the Sanya International Yacht Center, serving as a key industry event for the Asia-Pacific region.

This year’s edition brings together premier yacht brands from the UK, France, and Italy, including Sunseeker, Princess, Dufour, and Sessa. Sunseeker will showcase its iconic 88 and 108 models, which blend timeless aesthetics with formidable performance. France’s Dufour 56 exemplifies sustainable navigation and refined design, while Italy’s Sessa F68 draws inspiration from supercars with its sleek styling and advanced handling systems.

Domestic innovators are also making waves. DIAMOND PARTY YACHTS, a rising Chinese brand, is targeting the growing demand for “party + cruising” scenarios—especially popular among younger consumers and coastal tourism operators. Designed by Italian veteran Riccardo, its open-plan “floating bar” concept sets a bold new tone for China’s on-water social lifestyle.

Eastar Yacht (天域游艇), a leading name in Chinese yacht design, will present its TY560 catamaran. The model integrates minimalist architectural aesthetics with intelligent control systems and a fully optimized displacement hull. It is designed to offer luxurious, multifunctional experiences for family cruising, business entertainment, and more—redefining Chinese yacht craftsmanship on the global stage.

Meanwhile, Delphia, a European electric yacht pioneer, will debut the D10 SEDAN in China. Equipped with Torqeedo’s Deep Blue propulsion system, it features zero emissions, zero noise, and a smooth, vibration-free cruising experience. The D10 SEDAN offers a compelling vision for green yachting, combining sustainability with luxury.

Sanya’s yachting market continues to expand. As of January 31, 2025, the city recorded 12,900 yacht departures—a 4.7% year-on-year increase—and welcomed 96,800 passengers, up 19.7% from the same period last year. By the end of 2024, Sanya had registered 1,415 yachts, with over 127,900 yacht departures and more than 900,000 tourist visits throughout the year.

Under the policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Sanya has pioneered a number of national firsts: zero-tariff yacht imports, night cruising for charter yachts, and uninterrupted transfer procedures during ownership changes. The city’s yachting industry now spans nine key sectors, from leasing and sales to maintenance, racing, and asset evaluation—and continues to expand into design, manufacturing, eco-protection, and smart services.

For Asia-Pacific professionals, the 2025 CICPE Sanya Boat Festival is not only a showcase of yacht design and luxury, but also a vital platform to engage with the future of China’s maritime economy. Sanya stands ready—open and ambitious—to embrace the next decade of global ocean innovation.