Following the recent great news about the easier access to foreign flagged vessels wishing to spend their superyacht charter vacation in Australia, also featured on CharterWorld on June 3, DYT Yacht Transport (DYT) has unveiled its plans to deliver yachts aboard its largest semi-submersible yacht carrier, the 209m (686’) Yacht Express, to the South Pacific. The trip coincides with the end of the Mediterranean yacht charter season, starting in Italy’s Genoa in November to accommodate private yachts and charter yachts leaving the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to a unique float-on/float-off method, the ship will make additional port calls in the Caribbean, Florida, Costa Rica, as well as Tahiti, before reaching Sydney and Auckland by the end of January. 

DYT Yacht Transport’s largest semi-submersible ship, Yacht Express – Photo credit to Onne van der Wal

“Australia has eased its permit restrictions for charter yachts,” said DYT’s Laura Tempest, “which opens up more opportunities for enjoying the South Pacific’s remote and pristine cruising grounds.  This, combined with a growing marine industry infrastructure in both Australia and New Zealand, makes it a logical decision for DYT to send its largest ship to that part of the world to take care of increased demand.” 

Thanks to the first-phase change to the “Coastal Trading Act 2012”, the foreign flagged charter yachts can now cruise in Australia. For a fee of $400.00, the yacht will be provided with a temporary voyage-based charter license for up to 12 months. During these 12 months, refits as well as repairs will be allowed without the need to import the vessel.

Hamilton Island in Australia – Image credit to Hamilton Island Tourism Board

“For GST and charter licenses, our Australian agents are well established to ensure this is handled properly,” said Tempest. “Our in-house customs brokerage service can assist in meeting the necessary requirements.”