Germany

BSM Yachting

In the world of yacht management, transparency, accountability and responsibility are valued above all else and last year the Schulte Group established <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> under precisely these principles. Under the management of Christophe Ceard, an experienced yacht manager who has been working within the maritime sector for over two decades, the company has gone from strength to strength since its inception last year. We recently sat down with Christophe to find out about his experience, as well as his perspective on the yacht management sector, its challenges and what he thinks yachting can learn from other industries, such as aviation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/325337/image/large-d077a2495cdd0b13b87aab1d0ef060c6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/325337">Can you share your own professional experience and explain how this has helped to establish your expertise in this sector?&nbsp;I began my maritime career in the fast ferry industry, managing operations across various locations and countries, including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Asia, specifically Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. In 2007, I transitioned to a role within a family office, where I started working with superyachts. Since then, I've remained in the superyacht industry.My experience in fast ferry operations served as the best “school” for my career, offering many similarities to superyacht operations – technically to some extent, but most importantly in terms of working under pressure. The pressure of ensuring a vessel’s reliability from point A to point B, down to the minute, can have a lot of similarities in the mind set with working fast in the yachting industry.However, the most significant experience and expertise I bring to yachting stems from over 14 years in a family office. This experience is invaluable to our daily work with superyachts. It allows me not only to better understand our clients but also to align with their thinking, both in day-to-day operations and in long-term decision-making. This background has provided me with an essential perspective on what is expected from a yacht owner.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/325341/image/large-4d47ba1b3ccddeaf6ae84fd0c879f429.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/325341">What is the scope of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM</a>’s fleet and what services does it provide to its clients?&nbsp;We are part of the Schulte Group, one of the world's leading ship management companies. Backed by the solid foundation and resources of this group, we offer a comprehensive range of yacht management services, including full operational management – covering crewing, technical aspects, safety and compliance, procurement, financial management, cost control, and reporting.Additionally, we provide complete services for new-builds and large refit consultancy and supervision. While our headquarters are in Hamburg, Germany, we have local support points in key locations, such as the South of France.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/325339/image/large-c53e6b72ab53ff83bf1e00ed048bf291.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/325339">What are some of the challenges associated with superyacht management?&nbsp;I believe the challenges in superyacht management are largely consistent across the industry, with the crew aspect being the most significant. This includes not only recruitment but also ensuring proper qualifications and professionalism. As the industry has grown rapidly, the shortage of qualified crew has increased proportionally.With the level and types of accidents we witnessed this summer, in some cases, it clearly can be attributed to the current crew situation. As part of the Schulte Group, we have significant resources dedicated to crew recruitment and training. I often compare our operations to private aviation and we are now implementing mandatory training programs at all levels. For example, we use our in-house bridge simulator for regular training sessions with officers and engineers, mirroring the standards that owners expect in private aviation.&nbsp;The level of rules and regulations is increasing, and this trend will continue. This is both necessary and beneficial, as there is much room for improvement in applying stronger regulations to private vessels. Too often, the mindset between owners and crew is, "We don’t need to do this because we are private." However, a yacht of the same size and capacity could be either privately or commercially registered, yet the risks are identical.This is why we make no distinction in terms of operation and safety: the same rules and regulations apply, including voluntary ISM compliance.I could go on all day about the challenges we face. What I've noticed over the years is that even within the superyacht industry, there's often a lack of understanding about what true yacht management entails. It's frequently confused with yacht administration.As Yacht Manager, you are taking on continuous risks and liabilities: cyber fraud, legal compliance issues, employment liabilities, pollution concerns, financial expenditures, potential accidents, and so on....<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/325338/image/large-a620a1c3e58257c54393ddf65dc17920.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/325338">How does a company like&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM</a>&nbsp;guarantee world class service to clients within such a range of yacht sizes from 40 metres to over 100 metres?&nbsp;As mentioned above, having the resources of a large group behind the scenes is essential in today's environment. The complexity of operations, combined with the ever-increasing levels of liability, makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for a small management company to deliver at all levels.We firmly believe that the time has come for a more structured management approach, which is precisely what many owners now expect. While we operate in a luxury industry where personal dedication is crucial, owners increasingly expect both: a strong, solid organisational structure for their yacht and a personal relationship with a deep understanding of their needs.This is what we strive to offer our clients: the ability to adapt to the owner's needs first while delivering in a structured and professional manner. For each owner and vessel, we assign a dedicated fleet team specifically tailored to the program and its unique requirements. This approach is crucial for delivering efficient and well-organised service, customised to the vessel’s needs.Lastly, the quality of our team is the most essential aspect of our business. Our team members are highly qualified, bringing a strong background that combines experience from both commercial vessels and yachting. This blend of expertise is central to our concept and a key part of the added value we provide every day.How does&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM</a>'s approach differ from other companies in the sector and are there advantages in being part of a larger commercial shipping company?We are very proud to be part of one of the most reputable commercial shipping companies in the world. We fully embrace our hybrid management concept, which blends the best practices from both yachting and commercial shipping. While applying a purely commercial approach to yachts wouldn’t be effective, we have demonstrated that incorporating certain elements from commercial shipping—adapted to yacht operations—is key to achieving better yacht management. This is exactly what many owners are seeking today.This approach is even reflected in our slogan: Owner-driven.In practical terms, this means implementing systems such as robust procurement and cost control, proper planned maintenance programs, and comprehensive crew management as true HR functions – rather than merely handling payroll.To illustrate what I mean by applying commercial elements to yachting, let’s take crew management as a small, concrete example: we provide an in-house, modern system with an app for the crew. This system allows our team to handle travel management directly, ensuring the selection of the right flight tickets based on cost and connections. The flight tickets are then uploaded directly into the app, reducing the typical endless flow of emails between the yacht and shore. This simple example leads to improved cost control, enhanced efficiency, and greater transparency.Finally, transparency itself is a crucial factor. We often encounter owners who are "disappointed," to say the least, by the lack of transparency and effective cost control on their yachts.Even though we are part of a large group, our "family office" mentality, combined with the power of a hybrid operation that integrates elements from commercial shipping, sets us apart from many traditional yacht management companies. This also includes our decision not to offer brokerage and charter services, as we believe these can sometimes lead to conflicts of interestTo find out more about <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> and to reach out to Christophe and the team, get in touch now;

BSM Yachting on yacht management

Christophe Ceard on BSM Yachting and yacht management.

BSM Yachting on the evolution of yacht management

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a>, a new yacht management company has been unveiled at this year's <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/172" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cannes Yachting Festival - 2023">Cannes Yachting Festival</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> is a member of the Schulte Group and aims to redefine the yacht ownership experience in today's complex environment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/285533/image/large-1d8af914a2d8ae9b56a77d88b8913a0e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/285533"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> specialises in providing bespoke services tailored to the distinct needs of yacht owners. These services encompass yacht and crew management, new building and project management, consultancy services, and financial management. Under the leadership of Managing Director Christophe Ceard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> aims to set new benchmarks of excellence in superyacht management.&nbsp;“Luxury yachts are valuable assets and require highly professional management, from financial management to employing an experienced crew and smoothly running daily operations. Our superyacht management services with its exceptional shore-side support ensure all aspects of our clients’ yachts are maintained, operated, and administered to the highest possible standards, leaving them free to enjoy their time on board with family and friends”, explained Ceard.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> will be able to handle yachts from day cruisers to yachts over 100-metres. As a member of the Schulte Group, the company can rely on the group’s long standing experience, infrastructure, IT-tools and proven approach to commercial ship management. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> is operating from Hamburg in close cooperation with BSM Cruise Services, which is the cruise division of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM).Ceard further emphasised that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BSM Yachting (Company)">BSM Yachting</a> exclusively offers its clients tailor-made management services: “Every yacht is different, every owner expects individual services and doesn't want to be just another yacht in a fleet system.”&nbsp;

Introducing BSM Yachting

BSM Yachting, a new yacht management company has been unveiled at this year's Cannes Yachting Festival.