How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Yacht To Europe?

Whether you’re a yacht owner and you need to ship your yacht from the United States to Europe, or you’re just a yachting and boating enthusiast curious about the process, you may be wondering how much it costs to ship a luxury boat to Europe – and how yachts are shipping internationally on cargo ships. In this guide from A-1 Auto Transports, we’ll explain what you need to know.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Yacht To Europe?

The cost of shipping a yacht to Europe starts at around $300 per foot for RoRo shipping, and starts at about $1,000 per foot for LoLo and semi-submersible shipping. Larger boats can carry additional surcharges – a 120-foot yacht, for example, may cost as much as $175,000 to ship to Europe. Generally, factors like distance, shipping method, or equipment used can influence the cost of shipping your Yacht to Europe.

Yes, it’s expensive. But if you’re a luxury boat owner, you know that money is usually no object when it comes to a luxury like a yacht. And, in fact, the cost of shipping a luxury boat to Europe can actually be lower than the cost of simply making a transatlantic voyage!

Why Send A luxury Boat To The Old World ?

There are a few reasons that you may want to ship a yacht to Europe if you’re a luxury boat owner. Common reasons include selling to a new owner or putting it on the market based on demand, attending a yacht show, or moving your luxury boat elsewhere if it’s not capable of making a transoceanic voyage – or if weather conditions make crossing the ocean impractical on your yacht.

Let’s take a deeper look at these reasons now.

• To sell to a new owner—It may be necessary to move a yacht to Europe for a new owner to take possession or to put it on the market in a particular country for anyone willing to buy. Yachts are rarely purchased sight unseen, so paying to transport the vessel to Europe until it’s sold may be a good option.
• For yacht shows – There are a number of popular luxury boat shows in Europe, such as the Salone Nautica, Monaco Luxury Boat Show, and Cannes Yachting Festival. Yacht owners who want to show off their vessels may wish to move then to Europe from elsewhere in the world to
• To move yachts that cannot make transoceanic trips – Most yachts can take transoceanic trips. Still, some smaller vessels may not be able to handle the extensive time spent on the water, or it may not be realistic to make a transoceanic journey due to weather conditions.
  
  In contrast to yachts, cargo ships can handle almost any weather conditions, no matter how severe, and they cross the ocean in every season, so they’re a great alternative for yachts that are unable to make transoceanic trips.

The Benefits Of Importing A Sailboat

Wondering why yacht owners often choose to ship a luxury boat to Europe instead of simply hiring staff to pilot the vessel across the Atlantic Ocean? A few benefits include reduced wear & tear, lower staffing costs, savings on fuel costs, and enhanced convenience.

• Avoid wear and tear that may require refitting—Due to the rigorous requirements of an oceanic crossing, a yacht may need extensive refitting after even a single transatlantic voyage to ensure that it’s in tip-top shape. Shipping a yacht avoids this wear and tear, saving money on refitting costs.
• Eliminate staffing costs – You may need a captain, engineer, multiple deckhands, and other staff members to safely pilot your vessel across the ocean, which can mean you’ll pay tens of thousands in salaries and staffing costs. Shipping your luxury boat eliminates these costs.
• Save on fuel – For the largest superyachts and megayachts, filling up the fuel tank alone can cost $400,000, and much of this fuel will be used while crossing the ocean. The fuel savings alone can make shipping a luxury boat to Europe worth it.
• Enhanced convenience – You can have your yacht picked up and delivered with very little legwork as long as you hire a qualified luxury boat shipping company. There’s no need to be on the yacht yourself, and it will be picked up, safely shipped, and delivered according to your contract with the shipping company.

How Are Luxury Boats Usually Shipped?

Yachts are always shipped to Europe using an ocean-going freight vessel. Still, there are a few different variations of yacht shipping, including RoRo (Roll On/Roll Off), LoLo (Lift On/Lift Off), and semi-submersible shipping. The shipping methods used depend primarily on the luxury boat's size, weight, and dimensions.

• RoRo (Roll On, Roll Off)—RoRo shipping is the cheapest method of shipping a yacht to Europe. It involves loading your yacht onto a specialized trailer. Then, the yacht is parked on its trailer, strapped in for the voyage, and sent on its way. RoRo shipping can be used for any type of trailer, as well as wheeled vehicles like cars and trucks.
  
  However, this method is usually only possible with yachts that are below 14-15 feet in height. This is the typical maximum height of a RoRo cargo hold, so it is only suitable for smaller vessels. Bigger vessels will require another method.
  
• LoLo (Lift On, Lift Off)—The majority of mid-sized yachts are transported using LoLo shipping. In this method of shipping, the luxury boat is dry-docked at the shipping port and secured in a specialized cradle. Then, this cradle is lifted by a crane onto a cargo vessel, and the yacht is secured in place.
• Semi-submersible ships– This type of shipping is typically only used for the largest megayachts and superyachts, which often measure more than 120 feet in length, and can weigh in excess of 10,000 tons. A crane can’t safely lift these ships.
  
  Instead, a semi-submersible ship can lower its cargo bay to fill it with water. Then, the boat can be pulled into the cargo bay and fastened securely in place, since the buoyant water will hold it up. Then, the water is drained for the ocean voyage. The process is reversed when the ships get to their destination. The hole fills up with water and is partially submerged; the yacht is released, and then it’s carefully pushed out of the cargo hold.

Related Information

• Cost per mile to ship a boat
• Interstate boat transport
• Boat transport across the country
• How to ship a boat in a container
• shipping a trawler boat

Relevant Statistics

• The average cost to ship a yacht across the Atlantic is approximately $50,000.
• Yacht shipping costs can vary by up to 15% depending on the size and weight of the vessel.
• Roughly 70% of luxury boat owners choose to ship their vessels instead of sailing them across the Atlantic.
• Shipping a yacht across the Atlantic takes an average of 12 to 20 days, depending on weather conditions and port availability.
• Approximately 90% of luxury boat shipments are done through specialized transport companies that ensure safe passage and handling.

General Facts

• The cost of shipping a yacht across the Atlantic can vary depending on factors such as its size, destination, and additional services required.
• The average cost for shipping a luxury boat across the Atlantic is around $40,000 to $60,000.
• Shipping a luxury boat involves hiring a professional shipping company that specializes in yacht transportation.
• The duration of the shipment can range from two to six weeks, depending on weather conditions and other logistical considerations.
• Additional costs may include insurance, cradle or lifting services, and customs fees at the destination port.

Need To Send A Sailboat Or A Boat? A-1 Auto Transport Can Help!

At A-1 Auto Transport, we can provide full-service boat and yacht transport services. If you have a vessel you need to ship to Europe – or even just domestically in the US – our team of logistics partners can help.

To learn more, get an estimate for the cost of shipping a luxury boat to Europe, and begin the process of shipping your vessel, just contact us online or give us a call at (888) 230-9116. Our team of experts is here to help you at any time of day or night! They will answer your question and provide useful tips and insights for shipping your yacht on budget, and without incurring damages.