Yunzhu Jin in the Asian Superyacht Industry
- Joe Lim
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 24
The Asia Director of Damen Yachting asserts that the shipyard "offers something for nearly every owner," including the successful Amels Limited Editions series.

Yunzhu Jin serves as the Asia Director for Damen Yachting, being the inaugural Chinese native employed by the company, and has overseen superyacht sales in Asia since 2015. Prior to that, she served as the Greater China Manager at Damen Shipbuilding, concentrating on commercial vessel sales from 2006 until 2015. Yunzhu obtained a Master’s degree with distinction in the Netherlands and completed an internship at Damen Naval Shipyard in 2005.
Damen Yachting vessels, particularly the Amels brand, have emerged as premier brands in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. What is the reason?
We possess four primary superyacht lines. All are particularly well-suited for cruising and chartering in the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Amels Custom superyachts, including the 77m Boadicea and the 74m Ilona, both commissioned by Australian owners, were constructed in a large facility in Makkum, Friesland, following the significant emergence of the modern superyacht era in the late 1980s and 1990s.
The shed was prominent in a setting primarily recognized for its cattle. Additional Amels Custom motoryachts exceeding 50 meters were built in Makkum, including vessels such as Tigre D’Or, which had Australian captains and crews. The renowned Australian designer, the late Jon Bannenberg, created Boadicea and the 78m Amels Custom Montkaj for a Middle Eastern owner.
Damen Shipyards, a substantial multinational business, acquired Amels in 1991. Construction activities commenced in Vlissingen, adjacent to the Dutch-Belgian border, in 2003, and the vessel Ilona was subsequently lengthened to 82 meters to facilitate a helipad. Amels Custom constructions have progressed well, with the Espen Øino-designed 120m Project Tanzanite set for delivery in Vlissingen this year.

Amels Limited Editions were launched during the Monaco Yacht Show in 2005. Conceived by British designer Tim Heywood and with interiors by Laura Sessa, they rapidly emerged as the most successful superyacht constructions to date.
The inaugural Limited Editions vessel, a 171-foot (52-meter) yacht named Deniki, was delivered in 2007 and has recently concluded an extensive term of cruising and chartering throughout Indo-Asia-Pacific waters for her original owner. A diverse array of Limited Editions models ensued, spanning from 177 feet to 272 feet.
The 180 or 55m model achieved significant popularity, with 25 units acquired, and Heywood, employing skillful design elements, succeeded in rendering each one distinctly unique. The fundamental notion was straightforward. The established naval architecture and intricate interior systems of superyachts may be constructed within two years.
Damen Shipping, generating approximately €2.5 billion in annual sales, is capable of financing such construction, permitting customers to participate during the custom outfitting phases, and we provided two-year delivery timelines instead of the extended four-year period. Integrate this with economies of scale, and Amels' sales representatives have an almost flawless pitch.

The second phase of Limited Editions has brought 60m and 80m designs by Espen Øino, which are experiencing robust sales. Damen Yachting, a division of Damen Shipping, currently oversees the Amels brand and has introduced its own boat Support vessel idea, designed to accommodate toys, tenders, helicopters, and other nautical paraphernalia on a distinct, more utilitarian boat, while optimizing living space on the primary vessel.
Subsequently, the yard observed that certain Yacht Support vessels were being utilized as independent expedition crafts, leading to the emergence of a new category: self-sufficient Xplorer luxury motor yachts, designed for exploration of more remote and exhilarating regions, particularly in the Indo-Asia-Pacific waters.
By including Classics and a Refit Division, Damen Yachting offers a diverse range of vessels suitable for nearly every owner, resulting in their proliferation in locations such as exotic Borneo, picturesque Japan, French Polynesia, and Antarctica.
When did Asian proprietors develop an interest in superyachts?
China and India both has approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants. Chinese expatriates include an additional 60 million, predominantly in Asia but dispersed globally, similar to Indian migrants. Thailand has become as a highly sought-after destination for yacht cruising, with the world's two largest archipelagos, Indonesia and the Philippines, in close proximity. The Asian market continues to evolve with each season.

Asians, particularly the Chinese, commenced the construction and acquisition of superyachts concurrently with the emerging European, American, and Middle Eastern purchasers. Brian Chang's 48m Asean Lady in Southeast Asia, succeeded by an 88m vessel of the same name, David Lieu’s 65m Van Triumph in Hong Kong, and Chang Yungfa’s 101m Evergreen in Taiwan exemplify this early tendency.
Subsequent proprietors discovered that procuring from reputable European shipyards was a more effective method for managing such constructions and resales, resulting in Damen Yachting and Amels profiting due to their provision of a diverse array of robust vessels with appealing delivery schedules and pricing.
In 2019 and 2020, six Amels Limited Editions were supplied, three of which were for Asian proprietors. Damen Yachting has quickly augmented its part of the Asian market, attributable to superior finishes, expedited delivery times, and its esteemed brand recognition.
Affluent Asians, particularly the younger demographic with a global perspective, recognize that superyachts present an exceptional opportunity to broaden their commercial ventures while simultaneously seeing the world in luxury and comfort.
Is selling in Asia distinct from other regions?
Small to medium-sized superyachts are highly sought after in Asia. Discussing larger vessels, specifically those beyond 55 meters, presents a distinct scenario. Asia represents a burgeoning and expanding market for such vessels. The prominent, conventional yacht brokerages are headquartered in Monaco, London, or the United States, with only a limited number of branch offices throughout Asia.

The leading superyacht professionals allocate less time here compared to Europe and America. In contrast, we assert that our presence in Asia involves marketing not merely the yacht or the superior product, but also the dream and lifestyle, which differ significantly from those in the West.
I am proficient in Mandarin, various dialects including Shanghainese, Cantonese, Ningbo, and some Japanese. However, Asia is exceedingly vast. Languages can serve as a means to foster stronger interactions. The true significance communicated by the language is of greater importance.
My team and I continue to study the distinctions in Asian culture, aesthetics, hospitality, and design. Comprehending the requirements of our Asian clientele and prioritizing their needs is essential to our success.
What is your perspective on the evolution of superyacht sales in this region?
Numerous geopolitical considerations must be taken into account, rendering a definitive answer elusive; yet, it is evident that both the size of purchased boats and the volume of sales are consistently increasing. Historical challenges are progressively being addressed, including the establishment of more appropriate marinas and facilities around the region, enhanced refit and repair yards, and advancements in alleviating bureaucratic obstacles that facilitate the resolution of chartering concerns.

Many European builders would likely prefer the emergence of an Asia-Pacific boat show as a legitimate superyacht hub, like to Cannes and Monaco in Europe or Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Shanghai and Hainan have been tested.
Singapore was a focal point in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Sanctuary Cove in Australia has been proposed, while alternative ideas have been discussed for a multi-event in the South China region, encompassing the Pearl River delta, including Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and other affluent cities in the estuary.
Damen Yachting and Amels ardently endorse current Indo-Asia-Pacific events, reflecting our significant fleets in these seas; however, it would be advantageous if one of the boat shows evolved into a hub for regional superyacht professionals.
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