Shipping 50’ cat to Asia from Caribbean or West coast

[svgoodvibration]

I am considering shipping my FP Saba 50 to Philippines or Thailand. I could do it from the Virgin Islands or Panama or even the Pacific coast. Has anybody done this? Ballpark costs? I know there are many empty cargo ships returning to Asia so maybe the cost is not too prohibitive. Company names who do this would be appreciated.

[dlj]

Just out of curiosity, why would you choose to ship the boat there rather than hiring a professional captain to sail it there? Is it wear and tear on your boat? Overall time line? Overall cost? What's your logic tree for shipping rather than hiring a captain?

dj

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by svgoodvibration

I am considering shipping my FP Saba 50 to Philippines or Thailand. I could do it from the Virgin Islands or Panama or even the Pacific coast. Has anybody done this? Ballpark costs? I know there are many empty cargo ships returning to Asia so maybe the cost is not too prohibitive. Company names who do this would be appreciated.

Your average cargo ship is not equipped to transport yachts, that is a specialized industry within the industry. Rarely are cargo ships traveling empty unless there is an incentive to do so. We no longer have small tramp steamers plying the oceans willing to take on anything to keep them profitable.

[svgoodvibration]

Originally Posted by dlj

Just out of curiosity, why would you choose to ship the boat there rather than hiring a professional captain to sail it there? Is it wear and tear on your boat? Overall time line? Overall cost? What's your logic tree for shipping rather than hiring a captain?

dj

Both wear and tear and time. That's going to be a long rough trip and probably a lot of motoring.

[svgoodvibration]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Your average cargo ship is not equipped to transport yachts, that is a specialized industry within the industry. Rarely are cargo ships traveling empty unless there is an incentive to do so. We no longer have small tramp steamers plying the oceans willing to take on anything to keep them profitable.

Thanks for the answer. Have you done this or know somebody who has done this? I asked for people who have done this and might know the approximate cost. I saw how my yacht came from France it was no specialized transport cargo ship.

[dlj]

I used to do this years ago, but only in Europe. I would use a consolidator that I had developed a relationship with. I've never shipped to Asia. Shipping costs were based on size and weight. Your boat is likely going to be priced by size as it's not very dense (takes up more square footage as compared to weight per square foot - this kind of shipping is all based on payload, if you get what I'm saying). I'd look for a shipping consolidator - talk to a few of them. You might want to see if you can talk directly to a large Asian shipping company like Hanjin. But I'd start with looking for a consolidator. Get at least three quotes... For what it's worth, sorry can't help more...

dj

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by svgoodvibration

Thanks for the answer. Have you done this or know somebody who has done this? I asked for people who have done this and might know the approximate cost. I saw how my yacht came from France it was no specialized transport cargo ship.

Have to agree with Orion Jim. I'm in the import/export business and ship cargo all over the world. Also have sailed in and out of major ports all up the US east coast and have seen the ships docked in the ports.

I can confirm that the overwhelming majority of commercial vessels are either dry or liquid bulk or container ships. Container ships do nothing but load 20-40', some 53' boxes or isotanks that are framed and handle like a 20' container. Bulk carriers don't have deck space to load any kind of deck cargo as the decks are covered with hatches or piping.

General, miscellaneous cargo ships are very rare. Most yacht shipping is handled by ships and companies that specialize in that field.

[PineyWoodsPete]

What about float-on yacht transporters? Many listed in a brief search, but didn't check out origins and destinations...

[PineyWoodsPete]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Have to agree with Orion Jim. I'm in the import/export business and ship cargo all over the world. Also have sailed in and out of major ports all up the US east coast and have seen the ships docked in the ports.

I can confirm that the overwhelming majority of commercial vessels are either dry or liquid bulk or container ships. Container ships do nothing but load 20-40', some 53' boxes or isotanks that are framed and handle like a 20' container. Bulk carriers don't have deck space to load any kind of deck cargo as the decks are covered with hatches or piping.

General, miscellaneous cargo ships are very rare. Most yacht shipping is handled by ships and companies that specialize in that field.

Check out "float-on yacht transporters" many listed.

[jmschmidt]

You would be hard pressed to find insurance coverage, which is an absolute necessity, if you turn the job over to anyone other than and experienced and recognized by the yacht industries as reliable shippers. The same goes for delivery captains and crew.

[captlloyd]

I use Google Chrome. I thought I’d try it for your question, very effective. You can even directly ask questions to providers.