A fleet of Queensland-built luxury motor yachts valued at more than $45 million have been driven on to a semi-submersible ship in the Port of Brisbane, ahead of their 8000 nautical mile voyage to Mexico and the east coast of the United States, that will commence on Saturday.
A fleet of 10 Riviera yachts have been loaded to the DYT Yacht Transport Ship in the Port of Brisbane this week.
A total of 10 Riviera motor yachts will utilise the unique DYT Yacht Transport float-on/float off method rather than being craned in the traditional manner on to a container ship to be positioned either under deck or on deck amongst containers.
Four of the motor yachts will be floated off the ship in Ensenada in Mexico where they will be driven north to their final destinations in California. The remaining six yachts will be offloaded in Port Everglades, the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Riviera Manufacturing Director Kyle Davison says it’s an efficient way of exporting a significant number of Riviera motor yachts internationally.
“Visually, it’s a spectacular process to watch,” he says.
A Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht enters the carrier deck of the ship.
“The semi-submersible ships’ carrier dock is lowered below the water level to allow the motor yachts to be driven on to the ship and then secured as if they were being tied up to a marina. Then the ships’ dock is pumped dry, like dry dock, to allow the yachts to be secured ahead of their voyage across the Pacific.
“This is an efficient and expedient method to load and unload our yachts allowing them to be transported to ports around the world giving excellent access to the Americas, Caribbean and Mediterranean.
“Riviera exports around 65% of our annual motor yacht production and the Americas is a major market for us.
“Our Queensland-built motor yachts are among the finest in the world and it is the ability to undertake such a significant and single shipment such as this that allows Riviera to continue to grow internationally and for us to continue to grow our 900-strong team on the Gold Coast.”
The last of the 10 Riviera yachts are driven onboard the DYT ship – Yacht Express.
The semi-submersible ship makes the equivalent of four trips around the world, annually, or about 80,850 nautical miles, stopping at 22 ports.
Australia exported ships, boats and floating structures in 2023 valued at $416 million, with the U.S. accounting for 32% of that, or $137 million (source: TrendEconomy)
“Riviera is internationally renowned for our motor yachts,” Davison says.
“The design and engineering of Riviera yachts is world class, and our reputation for creating blue water, luxury yachts has positioned us among the world’s leading manufacturers.
“There’s a real sense of pride that comes with owning a Riviera.
The semi-submersible ship facilitates efficient loading of large yachts and is ideally suited for export.
“The export market is very important to Riviera with two thirds of our yachts making their way overseas. Having a strong partnership with organisations such as DYT Yacht Transport is a major advantage to us,” said Davison.
“Working alongside Riviera on this particular shipment has been smooth sailing. DYT is honoured to be part of transporting Australia’s prestigious production yachts to the global market. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Riviera,” said the Australian agent for DYT Yacht Transport, Brittany Sharples.
