Delving deeper into Yacht Transport - in conversation with Jan Maarten Boissevain, commercial Director at Sevenstar Yacht Transport
What a privilege it was to spend time speaking with Jan Maarten Boissevain, commercial Director of Sevenstar Yacht Transport, based in The Netherlands.
Friendly, charismatic, knowledgeable and intensely passionate about the ocean he so loves, Jan Maarten shares with me that he has worked with for the Spliethoff Group since they acquired Sevenstar in 2002 – starting with a team of 3 and now grown to 75! With a worldwide network of offices in the USA, UK, Monaco, France, Hong Kong and Turkey – and additional agents in Australia, Martinique, Germany, Thailand and New Zealand – they cover a broad area with a far reach.
Founded in 1985, with almost 40 years of experience in yacht transport and backed by their parent company Spliethoff's 100 years of maritime expertise, Sevenstar Yacht Transport boasts unparalleled financial stability and industry knowledge. Spliethoff has a multi-faceted fleet, with companies within the group working closely together to provide clients with the best solution - they have a suitable vessel for practically every cargo and every project, from yachts to shipments for the renewables market.
This well known leading provider of yacht transport services, on a lift-on, lift-off basis, presently transports around 2000 yachts annually: this volume is made up of new vessels heading to Asia, second hand boats being exported from Hong Kong to Europe and the USA, and yachts relocating.
I was somewhat intrigued when Jan Maarten shared the following with me:
“We are a cruising yachts ‘way out.’ Many start off with this romantic notion of sailing around the world, but by the time they get to the Marquesas, they are done!".
So specifically for cruisers, they offer a ‘buy a return ticket’ that you can postpone by 1st January free of charge. With sailings back to the Mediterranean in March and April from Thailand, and April and May from New Zealand, all bases are covered. If it doesn’t suit that year, it can be postponed to the following, at no extra charge.
What stands out when talking with Jan Maarten, is his enthusiastic positive outlook, that ‘everything is possible’.
From the initial enquiry to the ‘discharge’ of a yacht, a team of knowledgeable local agents around the world offer meticulous support and local advice, matching expectations with reality and delivery.
“It’s a ‘people business,” he comments “with yacht transport we are blending the world of ultra-luxury with the tough world of shipping.”
The logistics are similar worldwide – crew don’t generally travel with yachts unless the yacht’s systems require them to. Lift on - lift off, handling and discharge is managed by local experienced skippers and agents – who assist with all logistics, customs and clearance. Sevenstar’s team of engineers and loadmasters undergo rigorous training and certification processes, ensuring that yachts are handled with the highest standards of safety and care. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in their specialized equipment and techniques. Their in-house team of experts provides tailored lifting and stowage plans for each yacht, ensuring safe and efficient transport.
Sevenstar is proud to be the first company to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for their transport cradles, cementing their position as a world leader in yacht transport. They offer the best insurance premiums on the market, with rates as low as 0.0015% of the yacht's value and the best deductibles. This low insurance premium is a testament to their confidence in the safety protocols and the expertise of the team. With robust insurance policies guaranteeing that yachts are covered without hidden clauses, Sevenstar pride themselves on transparency and reliability.
In light of current geopolitical challenges, our conversation turned to the conflicts around the Red Sea. Driven by increased rebel activities in the last year, yachts have become ‘premium’ targets. Sevenstar is prioritising safety by navigating an alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope. This extends the voyage by 20 days, the extra 10,000 nautical miles add an approximate $500,000 of costs every voyage, but there really is no alternative.
The ripple effect of this safety issue doesn't stop here. With merchant ships being redirected away from the Red Sea, there is a shortage of vessels, shipping is at a premium, with increased price of containers. As a result, delivery times and costs for components are on the rise, with shipyards and manufacturers now grappling with delays due to disrupted supply chains.
On a positive note, Sevenstar has successfully navigated the more recent challenges of the Panama Canal, being one of the few companies to do so with consistent success – allowing smooth transits between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Lastly, with talking shipping our conversation had to lead to sustainability and a ‘better environment’, which I was delighted to hear the Spliethoff Group is fully onboard with – in fact, as Jan Maarten confirmed, shipping is ahead of yachting. Regulations aim to reduce emissions and stimulate more sustainable transport: the European Green Deal is a growth strategy to transform the EU into a climate neutral and circular economy by 2050, while preserving Europe’s competitiveness.
At the same time, the IMO has presented regulations to achieve its objective of a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, by introducing the Energy Efficiency Index for Existing Ships (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). Shipping’s contribution to a better environment does not come for free. The higher the required percentage of reduction in CO2 emissions, the higher the costs become.
To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the European Commission has adopted a set of proposals called the 'Fit for 55 package', reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Jan Maarten shares with me that Spliethoff Group welcomes these new regulations as they will close the gap between fossil fuels and more sustainable alternatives. However, the regulations and the considerable impact they will have on global shipping, do present challenges.
To comply with these regulations, it is necessary to start using fuels with a lower ‘well to wake’ carbon intensity. This can be achieved by using biofuels on the fleet, either blending biofuels into conventional fuels or running on pure biofuel. However, the reality is that these fuels are significantly more costly than conventional shipping fuels, to the figure of $45,000 extra a day! Jan Maarten feels they can only achieve this in close cooperation with their clients. Ensuring the fleet is operating in the most efficient way possible is also vital – which includes hull and propellor cleaning.
They really hope they can work together with motivated customers in order to run on these more sustainable fuels and reduce the emissions of supply chains. The cost of shipping will rise, but there will be a direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions related to that cost.
Jan Maarten
We went full circle in our conversation - Jan Maarten, as with many colleagues at Sevenstar, including CEO Richard Klabbers, are good competitive sailors themselves – which puts them into a whole other league – personally and professionally understanding sailors needs first-hand, and sharing a love for the ocean.
Klabbers proudly won the 2,000 mile double-handed Round Britain and Ireland 2024 Race in a swan 56, having faced extreme weather and tough sailing conditions, and Jan Maarten participated in the RORC Cowes to Cherbourg Race at the beginning of September.
Racing yacht and racing logistics specialist Sander Speet competed at the prestigious Rolex Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, aboard the magnificent 43.6-metre J- Class Svea.
Whether it be a family cruising yacht, a new build, race boat or 40m superyacht, Sevenstar offers a top tier service that is fast, safe and reliable, with strong connections to the marine community, sailing into a more sustainable future.
Visit the Sevenstar Yacht Transport page for more information and
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