The two companies, while maintaining their separate
identities, are fully equipped to advise on the best options for either float-on/float-off (FLO/FLO) or lift-on/lift-off (LO/LO) services offered by a fleet of over 120 ships that are wholly owned and operated by parent company the Spliethoff Group, one of the largest shipowners in The Netherlands, which plays a major role in the global transport market.
“The partnership makes all the sense in the world,” said Richard Klabbers, Sevenstar’s managing director. He explained that DYT’s two ships—Yacht Express and Super Servant 4—are the world’s only dedicated yacht transport ships that can submerge their dock bays for easy FLO/FLO entry and exit of yachts on their own keels and are assigned primarily to the safe and expeditious transport of yachts across the Atlantic Ocean. Sevenstar’s expansive global routes, which have been serviced by Spliethoff’s LO/LO carriers since 1987– the same year that DYT performed its first yacht transport operations under the name Dock Express – offer yacht owners unlimited access to just about any travel destination in the world.
“By keeping the two trusted brands intact, we will continue to give our customers understandable choices,” Klabbers continued. “A charter boat owner has to be in the Caribbean or the Med by a certain date and back to the U.S. by another; a game fishing enthusiast needs to be at a tournament in Costa Rica; a cruising couple wants to start a ‘round-the-world adventure in the South Pacific – every situation for every yacht owner is different. Whatever the need and no matter which of our offices or agents they call, they will be expertly advised on the best way to safely transport their yacht.”
A team of experienced loading masters constantly travels the globe to orchestrate the loading and unloading of yachts entrusted to DYT and Sevenstar. “Better a specially trained professional to handle such precious cargo as multi-million dollar yachts,” explained Klabbers, who added that DYT and Sevenstar agents also are strategically posted around the world to advise and handle logistics for yacht owners once bookings have been decided. He cautioned that some companies in the yacht transport business that operate as “freight forwarders” are not equipped with the understanding and knowledge required to ship yachts. This can lead to a yacht being stuck in port when its proposed ride is detained, doesn’t exist, or the costs are not fully disclosed to the yacht owner. “Our business is about getting the yachts to their destinations safe, sound and hassle-free. All insurance work and port clearances are completed in advance by our agents. All loading, unloading, cradling and fastening of yachts is overseen by our loading masters.”
Other benefits of transporting with DYT and Sevenstar are less wear and tear on yachts; time off for crew during transport; less time required for delivery; and new horizons to explore.
“There are so many fabulous cruising destinations worldwide,” said Klabbers, “and with our help, one could possibly reach them all in a lifetime.”
For more information on DYT and Sevenstar, visit http://www.yacht-transport.com and http://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/.
