Sevenstar Yacht Transport has announced that it will be adding an impressive new type of carrier to its fleet in 2009. The mother company of Sevenstar – Dutch shipowner Spliethoff Amsterdam – has recently ordered a series of eight D-type vessels and these will be made accessible to yacht owners on Sevenstar’s transatlantic sailings.
The new D-type vessels are 156 metres (512 ft) in length and will have a beam of 22.80 metres (75 ft). Each vessel will carry three cranes with a lifting capacity of 120 metric tons, with the option to combine two cranes and lift up to 240 metric tons.
Sevenstar intends to use this new type of vessel for its monthly Atlantic sailings between Fort Lauderdale and ports in the western Mediterranean. It will be the first carrier of its kind to be especially designed to accommodate 100 ft-plus yachts on and under deck.
Each carrier will be able to accommodate up to 12 superyachts plus a variety of smaller yachts. The journey time to cross the Atlantic will be just ten days. To facilitate safe loading and stowage, the vessel will be equipped with lifting gear that is custom made for use with yachts.
With the first new vessel due for delivery in the first quarter of 2009, Sevenstar is already actively expanding its operational and commercial manpower in both Fort Lauderdale and Europe.
“We are already seeing a shortage of quality transportation for large yachts on the most popular routes,” comments Sevenstar managing director, Richard Klabbers. “As the superyacht fleet continues to increase in number and sophistication, these ten new vessels will be perfectly timed to meet demands.”