Cross Chartering Yacht Transport completed a record-setting loading operation that saw 23 yachts with a combined value exceeding $150 million make their way from the Port of Genoa to Antigua, St. Thomas, and Port Everglades. The operation included 12 superyachts more than 100 feet in length, with iconic names like a 150-foot Leopard and a Baglietto, 140-foot AB, 130-foot Mangusta, and a 120-foot Hargrave. According to Cross Chartering Yacht Transport, the operation included more square meters of yachts than any previous lift-on loading. The yachts were transported on MV Paderewski, a heavy-lift cargo vessel that has three cranes capable of lifting up to 350 metric tons each. Paderewski was filled, with yachts not only taking up the full deck, but below deck as well. The operation could not have been done without careful planning, according to Cross Chartering Yacht Transport’s President Paul Haber. “Our operations and logistics team did an excellent job planning the entire sailing, before we even started in Genoa, which ensured everything went smoothly,” Haber said. “There are many moving parts involved in running a successful sailing.” Operational consistency and reliability are what set Cross Chartering Yacht Transport apart and make the company the first call for many yacht brokers, captains, and dealers, according to Haber. With a 20-year history of transporting dealer boats, widely considered the gold standard in yacht transport, Haber said the company has built a reputation for performance driven service. “Asking a potential yacht carrier for references from dealers and brokers they ship for is important, as they only ship with reliable carriers with a longstanding performance record,” Haber said. Haber said Cross Chartering Yacht Transport has been the largest yacht carrier in North America, since 2020, operating sailings between North America and Asia as well as between Florida and the Mediterranean. While relationships are important, Haber says performance is what trumps all in the business, with Cross Chartering Yacht Transport’s slogan being, “Your satisfaction is our reputation!” “When we commit to a ship, we perform on it and the customers know that over time,” Haber said. Captain and Crew Involvement While a significant percentage of yachts being transported are factory dealer boats that have just been purchased, some yachts can be seasonal charter vessels that have captains and crew on board. Charter yacht owners often opt for vessel transport to avoid wear and tear on the vessel and give their captain and crew time to relax before a busy charter season. So, if a charter vessel is being transported, are the captains and crew involved at all? “The yacht captain will bring the boat alongside the ship at the loading port and then pick up the boat alongside the ship at the discharge port. Cross handles everything else in between,” Haber said. “Our experienced loading team will load the yacht on our adjustable cradles and use our specialized lifting equipment. The same loading team who loads the boat will be the same loading team who unloads it, ensuring a seamless process.” Haber suggests the yacht captain or owner book well in advance to ensure they can secure a spot on the sailing, especially during peak season. Most importantly, always ask for dealer or broker references when dealing with carriers. “Price is a consideration but it’s not the determining factor. Also consider who can manage the process better, logistics better and who is more reliable? Past performance is the best indicator of future performance," Haber said. “Those are things that any yacht captain or owner should be aware of.” Schedule a transport operation with Cross Chartering Yacht Transport here.