Partner Content
As yacht owners worldwide prepare for another Caribbean season, Sevenstar Yacht Transport plays a vital role in safely moving their vessels across the Atlantic. Caribbean Compass spoke with Sander Speet, Sevenstar’s Caribbean specialist and an experienced professional sailor, to discuss race logistics, cruising dreams, and why yacht transport is practical for many owners.
You can listen to the full conversation here, or read the transcript below.
Caribbean Compass: Sander, tell us a little about your background. What brought you into the world of yacht transport?
Sander Speet: I’ve been a full-time professional sailor for over 15 years. About three and a half years ago, I joined Sevenstar, and now I divide my time between racing and working for the company. It’s a great mix — many of the people I race with are also clients, so it keeps me fully connected to the industry: who’s racing where, what events are coming up, and where people are moving their boats.
CC: What exactly does being the “Caribbean specialist” at Sevenstar mean?
SS: Within Sevenstar, I serve as the main contact for everything related to the racing world and the Caribbean circuit. I keep track of which events are happening, where different yachts are heading, and their timelines. A major part of my role involves planning logistics — not only for the yachts but also for their containers, cradles, and support gear that travel with them. Many top-level race programs have two or three 40-foot containers full of spare parts, sails, and equipment, requiring extensive coordination between ports, marinas, and local agents.
This role becomes especially dynamic as the seasons change. When the Mediterranean season ends in autumn, many owners and race teams start repositioning their yachts for the Caribbean winter circuit. That’s when our planning ramps up—aligning transport schedules with regattas, cruising windows, and weather conditions. Seasonality influences movement, and Sevenstar makes sure yachts are in the right place at the right time, ready to take advantage of each region’s optimal conditions.
CC: So it’s more than just loading a boat on a ship — it’s the full operation around it.
SS: Exactly. Every program has different needs. Sometimes a team will arrive on one Caribbean island, complete a winter racing circuit, and ship out from another two months later. We need to ensure everything — trucking, customs, refits — runs smoothly. Racing calendars are tight, and the turnaround between a final race in Europe and the start of a regatta in the Caribbean can be just a couple of weeks. That means the timing must be precise.
CC: What about the non-racing side — the cruisers and private yacht owners?
SS: That’s also a very important part of the business. We ensure our sailing schedules match major Caribbean events, as well as the needs of leisure owners who simply want to enjoy their winter in warmer waters. Some clients plan six or seven months ahead—especially race teams—while others contact us just two months before departure. There are always last-minute requests, and thanks to our large fleet, we can usually find a solution.
CC: Speaking of fleets, which Caribbean ports does Sevenstar serve most often?
SS: Nearly all of our work takes place in Antigua, St. Thomas, USVI, and Le Marin in Martinique. These ports provide the right mix of depth, facilities, and availability for our ships. Some other ports in the region can’t handle our vessels because of draft restrictions or cruise-ship schedules, so those three have become our main hubs.
CC: We heard you recently launched a new direct sailing route from La Rochelle, France, to Guadeloupe. Tell us about that.
SS: Yes, that’s one of our newest routes. We’ve noticed increasing interest in that trade, and until now, it was usually part of a multi-stop journey. With the demand we’re seeing, it makes sense to establish a direct La Rochelle-Pointe-a-Pitre service — it’s faster and more efficient for many owners.
CC: What type of yacht is Sevenstar transporting to the Caribbean these days?
SS: It’s a mix — probably about 60 percent motor yachts and 40 percent sailing yachts. My focus is on the race boats, but we ship everything from a 6.5-meter sailboat to a 34-meter superyacht. Every vessel has a custom stow-and-lift plan developed by our in-house technical team to ensure safe handling.
CC: Why do owners choose to ship instead of sail their own boats across?
SS: There are several reasons. Cost and wear-and-tear are major factors — you preserve the engines, sails, and rigging from thousands of miles of use. Time is another: a delivery can take 10 to 20 days, depending on weather, and not every owner or crew has that window. It’s also about safety and convenience. Shipping gives the crew a break between seasons, and the yacht arrives in excellent condition, ready to race or cruise.
CC: How long does a typical crossing take?
SS: A transatlantic shipment typically takes about 10 to 12 days, depending on weather and port calls. From Newport to the Caribbean, it usually takes five to seven days. What sets us apart is our all-risk insurance included in every shipment — at a lower premium than most competitors. That reflects our strong safety record. We prefer to sail around bad weather rather than through it, even if it takes a bit longer.
CC: Sevenstar’s ships are known for specialized handling. How do you secure yachts during transport?
SS: Each yacht has a custom lift and stow plan. We gather detailed technical drawings from each yacht’s owner or builder, showing where reinforcements are located. Our technical team then creates tailored lifting and cradling plans for every vessel. Race yachts are more delicate, so they often have their own cradles. We also maintain an internal database of hundreds of previous lift plans, allowing us to reference past experiences with similar boats. It’s a two-way collaboration with the owner to ensure maximum safety.
CC: Are you seeing any trends or changes in demand heading into this Caribbean season?
The overall pattern remains similar, but there’s been a slight shift toward larger yachts. Smaller boats are booking a bit less, while larger ones are increasing. Globally, everyone’s still watching how political and economic developments unfold — but for now, owners are still eager to get to the Caribbean.
We’re also experiencing an uptick in round-trip bookings. Owners are more aware that if they ship their yacht to the Caribbean, they’ll need a dependable plan for the return trip. Whether it’s going back to the Mediterranean for summer or repositioning for another event, clients are planning ahead and booking both legs early. This indicates that yacht transport is becoming more integral to seasonal planning.
CC: And for those first-time Caribbean cruisers — maybe new to yacht transport — how do you support them?
SS: Our fleet of over 140 ships truly makes a difference. It provides us with the flexibility to adjust schedules or redirect vessels as needed. Other companies must charter ships on the open market, making them vulnerable to global shipping conditions. Since our ships are dedicated to yacht transport, our crews are specialists — they’re not loading steel one week and yachts the next. That expertise is reflected in our results and insurance record.
CC: Sustainability is on everyone’s radar. What steps is Sevenstar taking toward greener operations?
SS: We’re addressing that through multiple approaches — improving fuel efficiency, lowering emissions, and optimizing logistics. Our vessels are equipped with advanced air filters to reduce pollution, and we continually refine deck layouts and routing to save fuel. After every voyage, we analyze the data to find ways to boost efficiency. It’s an ongoing process of improving our operations.
Being part of the Spliethoff Group, we also benefit from the group’s broader sustainability efforts. All newbuilds are fitted with IMO Tier III-compliant engines, which greatly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions and help improve air quality in emission control areas. Our ships are also equipped with ballast water treatment systems that meet the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, helping to protect marine biodiversity by preventing the spread of invasive species.
We’re also investing in antifouling innovations, such as silicone-based hull coatings that decrease drag and fuel consumption. One of our vessels, MV Singelgracht, was recently treated with this coating, leading to lower CO₂ emissions and longer cleaning intervals. These upgrades are part of a long-term plan to operate a modern, sustainable fleet that respects the fragile ecosystems we sail through, especially in environmentally sensitive areas like the Caribbean.
CC: Finally, any advice for yacht owners considering their first Caribbean season?
SS: Plan ahead for your timing, budget, and safety. A well-organized transport helps you avoid long, rough passages and arrive ready to enjoy the islands. Whether you’re a racer heading to Antigua Sailing Week or a cruiser chasing the sun, yacht transport removes the stress from getting there.
About Sevenstar Yacht Transport
With a fleet of over 140 dedicated vessels, Sevenstar Yacht Transport provides yacht shipping services to and from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the U.S., and other destinations. For details on upcoming sailings or to request a quote, visit sevenstar-yacht-transport.com.
