Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT) has announced a cooperative partnership with BBC Chartering & Logistic to expand global shipping options for its clients -- owners and captains of private luxury yachts. The strategic alliance allows DYT to continue offering its unique float-on/float-off yacht transport service with its own fleet of four semi-submersible ships while adding an alternative lift-on/lift-off service option through BBC, which operates more than 140 vessels worldwide.

"DYT's float-on/float-off method, which has been raised to somewhat of an art form since we developed it in 1987, is used by no other yacht carriers," said DYT President Clemens van der Werf, adding that the company built its recently commissioned "super ship," the 685.7-foot (209 meters) Yacht Express, to meet the demand for more DYT transport trips across the Atlantic. "The reality, however, is that there will always be clients who need additional scheduling flexibility or the ability to get to a destination we do not service directly. They have come to trust DYT's expertise and depend on our standards for safety and attention to details. BBC is a powerhouse in global shipping; while it provides the tonnage, DYT will manage their operations for the yacht transport business, offering our clients extra sailings and more flexibility. "

"While yachts are similar to other heavy-lift cargo with respect to the necessary lifting gear, they also require a greater sensitivity with respect to the lift and stowage," said Svend Andersen, BBC's Managing Director. "This is why the DYT/BBC alliance is ideal for the yacht transport industry. BBC has the specialized vessels and equipment, while DYT has the extended knowledge base for managing the loading and unloading of such precious cargo from start to finish, with its own loading masters provided for all operations.

Among the new regular routes accommodated by BBC will be regular connections from the Caribbean to Northern Europe, Florida to Brazil, and to Dubai. All other worldwide requests can also be accommodated.

DYT's global routes for its semi-submersibles currently include the U.S. East Coast (Newport, Rhode Island and Port Everglades, Florida), the Mediterranean (Toulon, France; Genoa, Italy; Marmaris, Turkey; Palma de Mallorca, Spain), Northern Europe (La Rochelle and Cherbourg, France), the Caribbean (St. Thomas, Martinique), the Pacific West Coast (Golfito, Costa Rica; La Paz and Ensenada, Mexico and Vancouver, B.C., Canada) and the South Pacific (Papeete, Tahiti; Auckland, New Zealand and Brisbane, Australia).