DYT Yacht Transport schedules its largest yacht carrier for trip to South Pacific

New policies making it easier for foreign-flagged vessels to visit the coastlines of Australia have inspired DYT Yacht Transport to schedule its largest semi-submersible yacht carrier, the 209-metre Yacht Express, to deliver yachts to the South Pacific. 

The trip, which coincides with the end of the Mediterranean charter season, starts in Genoa, Italy in November, and will accommodate private luxury yachts and charter vessels departing from the Mediterranean Sea. Operating its unique float-on/float-off method, the ship will make additional port calls in the Caribbean, Florida, Costa Rica and Tahiti before arriving in Sydney and Auckland by the end of January. 

Laura Tempest of DYT said, “Australia has eased its permit restrictions for charter yachts, which opens up more opportunities for enjoying the South Pacific’s remote and pristine cruising grounds. This combined with a growing marine industry infrastructure in both Australia and New Zealand, makes it a logical decision for DYT to send its largest ship to that part of the world to take care of increased demand.” 

The first-phase change to the ‘Coastal Trading Act 2012’ will allow for the cruising of non-Australian flagged charter yachts in Australia, whereby, for a fee of $400.00, the yacht will be issued a temporary voyage-based charter license for up to 12 months. During these 12 months, refits and repairs will be allowed without the need to import the vessel. 

Tempest added, “For GST and charter licenses, our Australian agents are well established to ensure this is handled properly, our in-house customs brokerage service can assist in meeting the necessary requirements.”

Introduced in 2007 as the world’s first purpose-built yacht carrier, Yacht Express and sister vessel, Super Servant 4 service the South Pacific, Caribbean, and Mediterranean Sea. Both vessels partially submerge, transforming into marinas where yachts can safely float on under their own power and manoeuver into position. After the yachts are secured, the ships de-ballast to have the yachts rest on secured cribbing, allowing for transportation of the yachts while they are effectively dry-docked. The ‘float-on’ process is then reversed for a ‘float-off’ delivery at the desired destination.

For more information, visit DYT Yacht Transport.