Interview with Jan Ole Hagen: How to Charter a Superyacht in Asia

Are you ready to set sail on the ultimate luxury adventure? Chartering a superyacht is an experience like no other, offering unparalleled luxury, privacy, and freedom to explore some of the world's most stunning destinations. 

But where do you start? With so many options and considerations, planning a superyacht charter can seem daunting. 

To shed light on this matter, we reached out to Jan Ole Hagen, CEO and Co-Founder of M Yachts Ltd, and Committee Member of the Asia-Pacific SuperYacht Association. 

Throughout the interview, Jan Ole Hagen shared invaluable insights into the process of chartering a superyacht and offering guidance on how to navigate the choices available. 

Dione: What is a superyacht and how is it different from a regular yacht?

Jan: Sure. A superyacht is officially classified as any yacht that's 24 meters or longer. That's the entry requirement to join the superyacht club. 

In terms of size, the biggest ones available for charter currently reach up to 136 meters, but typically, the ones people charter are between 50 to 100 meters.

In terms of cost, a 24-meter-plus superyacht usually starts at around US$100,000 per week, while smaller yachts, starting from around 50 feet, can go for $15,000 to $20,000 USD per week.

Here are some interesting stats:

• There are about 6,500 superyachts worldwide, and roughly 60% of them are available for charter.

• In the smaller yacht category, more yachts are kept for private use.

• There are around 200,000 yachts ranging from 12 to 24 meters.

Yacht classifications can vary depending on the jurisdiction, often based on factors like gross tonnage or length.

Dione: Can I charter a superyacht for a corporate event? Is that fairly straightforward to do that and how many people would I be able to bring onboard the 24 or the 25 meter superyacht?

Jan: We need to look at the jurisdiction of the yacht where its flag is in and where it was located in. On a typical superyacht you can bring 12 guests on board who can stay overnight. 

However, for example, in Hong Kong, you need a special permit for day charter so then you can also bring up to 30 to 40 guests on board but that has to be done through a special charter license which is then approved by the Hong Kong government for your yacht.

Dione: What about weddings? Do people hold weddings on superyachts or are we limited by numbers again?

Jan: What we also do is if one yacht is not enough you just take a second one.

Dione: Did you have walkways between them?

Jan: Yes. We actually have floating pontoons where we connect them or even connect them with the beach behind them where we then set up the wedding on the beach.

Dione: What types of events, other than corporate events and weddings, could we hold on superyachts?

Jan: They can do anniversaries and birthday parties. There are actually no limits to what you can celebrate on a yacht.

Dione: What’s the minimum amount of time that I could hire a superyacht?

Jan: We have charters of only one or two hours. It comes down to what you really need it for and what your budget is.  It’s quite similar to hiring a venue that you might only need for a lunch event.

Dione: How much does it cost to hire one of these massive, luxurious superyachts?

Jan: We go anywhere from USD $2,500 a day for the smaller ones, for day cruises, up to close to a million a day. 

Dione: How do people typically choose a yacht to charter?

Jan: Well, it's all about managing expectations. When you're looking to charter a yacht, it's important to be honest about what you want. The more information you give us, the better we can tailor the experience to suit you perfectly.

We don't want to bombard our clients with questions, but because yachting is quite complex, we need a deep understanding of their preferences to find the ideal match.

Dione: Are there differences between chartering a yacht in Asia compared to other regions?

Jan: Well, it's a bit of both. The size of the yacht plays a significant role here. When you're chartering a yacht that's 24 meters or larger, they're essentially floating hotels with all the necessary infrastructure onboard. 

So, in that sense, the location doesn't matter as much. 

However, the experiences you can have on land can vary depending on where you are. Being in Asia, for instance, offers different activities and sights compared to Europe or the US.

When it comes to the yacht itself, they operate at a consistently high standard, regardless of location. They're like standalone institutions in terms of service and amenities.

Dione: What would be your recommendation? Three tips to guide someone on wanting to charter a superyacht?

Jan: First you need to decide either "Should I do it or should I not do it.” All of our clients who chartered a superyacht have memories for the rest of their lives. It’s such a unique experience. It’s such a different thing to do from going into a hotel.

Tips: 

1. Be open-minded to what you can actually do on a yacht. Don’t be too focused on specific yachts. It’s more about the experience you can have on the yacht. The yacht is only the beginning.

1. Be very open about your specific needs. Don’t shy away from the industry and think it might be too expensive or it might be too exclusive. The industry is full of amazing people who do this very passionately and really know their fields, know their regions. The captains know specific areas they have been cruising in for years. There are great chefs on board. The more we know the better we can serve our clients.

1. Check out a lot of stuff beforehand so that you get a better grasp of what you can actually do on the yacht.

So, whether it's a corporate event, a wedding, or a leisurely cruise, the world of yacht chartering awaits, ready to offer an unforgettable experience on the high seas.

About Jan Ole Hagen: Jan is the CEO and Co-Founder of M Yachts Ltd and Committee Member of the Asia-Pacific SuperYacht Association. His company has access to more than 2,000 yachts all over the world available for charter.

Note: This interview is being run for the Boat Buyer Expo (www.boatbuyerexpo.com). You can also watch the interview on YouTube HERE.