Published on 18 Apr 2024
Christophe Ceard
Managing Director BSM Yachting
The superyacht industry has been developing significantly over the recent years, especially since 2020. Today, the total fleet worldwide is at 12,500 yachts over 24m seeing explorer yachts and multihulls growing in popularity and the attractiveness of very large yachts unbroken, despite other predictions. BSM Yachting has entered this market with an innovative approach.
Published on 18 Apr 2024
Even if the peak in yacht orders seems to have passed and the market is stabilising, it is still very dynamic. Overall, there are more than 1,000 yacht projects under construction and to be delivered in the coming years. This is partly thanks to new markets such as Southeast Asia opening up, a growing fleet of charter yachts and shipyards in Turkey, now the second-biggest builder nation after Italy, in favour of speculative production of newbuildings. In addition, it is interesting to note that yachts rarely go for scrap and so the global refit activity forecast remains equally dynamic.
As a result, managing and maintaining the current and forthcoming fleet will require a minimum of 7,000 additional yacht crew.
Given this context, offering full superyacht management services was the logical next step for the Schulte Group. “In particular, as yacht owners face similar challenges to those in commercial shipping, including decarbonisation, regulatory compliance and optimising the use of new technologies,” says Christophe Ceard, Managing Director of BSM Yachting, who has been in the superyacht industry for nearly two decades. “Yacht management demands an all-new level of dedication and commitment. Therefore, adopting the efficient systems from commercial shipping and tailor them to yachting is likely to be a significant game changer.”
Following the Schulte Group’s initial entry into the yachting industry with the acquisition of a majority stake in YPI Crew, a leading yacht crew recruitment player based in Antibes, France, BSM Yachting was launched in September 2023. It serves as the Group’s dedicated superyacht management division, offering operational, crewing, newbuilding and refit services.
Building on the Schulte Group’s over 140 years of ship owning heritage and ship management experience, BSM Yachting acts independently from brokerage companies to avoid any potential conflicts of interest for clients.
“Our focus lies on providing efficient and high-quality management to owners who appreciate the Group’s commitment to safety, transparency and accountability,” says Ceard. “We operate as a comprehensive solution provider bringing in the Schulte Group’s know-how and global service network to match any specific needs of our clients. This distinguishes us as one of the few companies capable of confidently delivering the same high level of services across yachts ranging from 24 meters up to 100 meters and beyond, worldwide.”
BSM Yachting is based in Hamburg and operates in close cooperation with BSM’s cruise division, BSM Cruise Services.
Christophe Ceard
Managing Director BSM Yachting
ContactChristophe Ceard
Managing Director BSM Yachting
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