Dockwise Yacht Transports' (DYT) newest ship, the 687.5-foot (209 meter) Yacht Express, arrived in Brisbane last week, marking its official debut Down Under. The largest vessel of its kind in the world, Yacht Express was purpose-built with a semi-submersible dock bay that allows yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. The ship made its maiden voyage from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to Genoa, Italy, in April with a mostly-megayacht load worth $154 million.

"Having Yacht Express calling on the South Pacific, now on a regular basis, greatly increases our ability to carry more yachts. This in turn will boost the superyacht industry within both Australia and New Zealand," said Jason Roberts of Aurora Global Logistics, the exclusive agent for DYT in Australia.

Twenty-five of the vessels unloaded in Brisbane while eight remained in transit. Sixteen vessels then loaded in Brisbane for the return voyage where their final destination was either Auckland, Papeete (Tahiti) or Ensenada before Yacht Express returns to Ft. Lauderdale for its next transatlantic expedition.

According to Roberts, while the safe and efficient float-on/float-off process is unique to DYT, it is also personal professional service that sets DYT apart as a leader in shipping private luxury yachts around the world. "We work directly with the boat captains, owners and DYT loading masters for a seamless program to ensure that the service provided by Aurora Global Logistics and DYT stays at the forefront of marine logistics within the South Pacific."

The size and power of the Yacht Express (it has a service speed of 18 knots) typically pares down transport times. For example, a trans-Atlantic crossing can take as few as 10 days where before it took 15. In addition, Yacht Express provides yacht owners with a state-of-the-art transport facility with extra accommodations for crew who are riding along. Yacht Express is more than 130 feet longer than DYT's other three semi-submersible carriers and features such added amenities as complimentary cabins, an atrium with lounge bar and swimming pool, restaurant and cinema, as well as conference, media and fitness facilities.