Northrop and Johnson, the New York-based brokerage firm catering to wealthy sailors worldwide, has joined forces with the
Asia Yacht Services of Hong Kong to create a new Asia-Pacific based yacht brokerage company.

Northrop and Johnson Asia Ltd will focus on luxury powerboats, superyachts, and sailing yachts, and will be led by managing director
Bart Kimman, the company said in a statement. Mr Kimman has been in yachting business for 25 years, and is responsible for establishing Asia Yacht Service in 2003.

Also joining are newly appointed director
Simon Pickering, the former managing director of Brava Marine and China and Hong Kong marine industry veteran,
Karen Ball, an AYS broker, and
Alan Mill-Irving, who serves as associate broker in the Philippines.

"With our in-depth knowledge of the Asian yachting markets, backed by Northrop and Johnson’s solid global network and impeccable reputation for honesty and integrity, we expect Northrop and Johnson Asia to quickly become the go-to company for anyone looking to buy or sell a premium yacht," said Mr Kimman.

With the Hong Kong office in place, the company said it expects to branch out to other neighboring countries over the next years. Included in its plan is associating with professional yacht brokers in key Asian territories, such as Singapore and Thailand, and tapping into the growing demand for superyachts in a relatively undeveloped market.

"More than 90 superyachts arrived in Singapore last year, compared with just 10 in 2007.There is enormous scope for luxury boats in the region, given the number of high-net-worth individuals and the speed with which the leisure-boat industry is growing. New marinas are opening all the time, region-wide," Mr Kimman added.