International yacht transport coordinated by Leigh-Smith Yachts — from quote and loading through customs, sailing and handover at the destination port.
Leigh-Smith Yachts blends more than 60 years of luxury yachting experience with long-standing relationships across the international marine logistics industry. From tender-sized boats to superyachts beyond 40 metres, we structure shipping solutions to match your vessel, route, timeline and budget — whether for an extended cruise, an international regatta or delivery to a new owner.
Leigh-Smith Yachts coordinates international yacht transport for vessels from tender-sized boats through to 40-metre-plus motor yachts and superyachts. Drawing on long-standing relationships with leading global shipping specialists, we tailor every movement to your vessel, route and timeline — whether for an extended cruise, a delivery to a new owner or attending an international yachting event.
Regular lift-on/lift-off, float-on/float-off and breakbulk sailings between Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Americas and Northern Europe. We work with established carrier networks to secure space at competitive rates and align loading windows with your cruising plans.
End-to-end coordination of customs clearance, GST and duty treatment, marine surveys, insurance certificates, port documentation and any cross-border paperwork. Our team liaises with brokers, agents and authorities so your vessel moves smoothly between jurisdictions with no unexpected delays.
Qualified loadmasters and a technical support team oversee loading and discharge, bespoke cradle design, lifting gear, stow plans and on-site coordination of divers, crew and third parties. Every lift is planned and executed to industry standards so your yacht arrives in the same condition it left.
Get in touch with the Leigh-Smith Yachts team with your vessel particulars — length overall, beam, draft, height, weight and approximate value — together with your preferred loading and discharge ports. We'll come back with the best sailing options, indicative pricing and lead times.
We confirm sailing dates, vessel preparation requirements, cradle and securing arrangements, marine cargo insurance and any customs documentation needed at both ends. You'll have a single point of contact managing every detail of the movement.
Our loadmasters supervise the load, working alongside the carrier, divers and port agents to lift, secure and stow your yacht for the voyage. Throughout the sailing we monitor progress and keep you informed of ETA and any port updates.
At the discharge port we coordinate the lift, customs clearance and any onward logistics — fuelling, provisioning or transport to a marina berth — so your yacht is ready to cruise as soon as she's back in the water.
Share your vessel particulars and route, and we’ll come back with the best sailing options and indicative pricing.
Shipping cost depends on the vessel’s dimensions and weight, the loading and discharge ports, the sailing method (lift-on/lift-off, float-on/float-off or breakbulk) and the time of year. Leigh-Smith Yachts will request your yacht’s particulars and route, then come back with indicative pricing from the carriers best suited to the movement.
Transit times depend on the route and sailing schedule. For example, Australia to the Mediterranean typically takes several weeks once loaded, with additional time for vessel preparation, loading windows and customs clearance at each end. We’ll provide a full schedule once your sailing is confirmed.
In most cases masts are unstepped and shipped separately in a cradle or container to protect the rig and reduce the shipping height. We coordinate unstepping, transport and re-stepping at the discharge port, and can also move standalone masts, spars and rigging equipment.
We can arrange marine cargo insurance for the duration of the voyage, covering the vessel from the moment it’s lifted at the loading port until it’s discharged at the destination. Owners with existing hull cover should check with their broker; the Leigh-Smith Yachts team is happy to liaise where needed.
Customs treatment depends on the flag of the vessel, the destination country and the purpose of the movement (sale, cruising, event participation, etc.). Leigh-Smith Yachts coordinates with customs brokers in both jurisdictions to manage clearances, GST and any duty implications — and to keep documentation in order if the yacht is later re-exported.
Yes. We regularly move racing yachts, regatta equipment, support boats, containers, spares and specialist cargo to align with international event schedules. Get in touch early with your event programme so we can build the sailing plan around it.
