The short answer
Shipping is usually the most expensive way to move a yacht over shorter distances, but on long and ocean routes it can compete with sailing it there once crew, fuel, flights and wear are added up. Carriers quote each yacht individually, and the price depends mainly on the yacht's length and beam, the route, the sailing date and what the quote includes.
What is usually in a shipping quote
| Item | What it covers | Often included? |
|---|---|---|
| Freight | Deck space on the ship, priced mainly on length and beam | Always |
| Loading and discharge | Lifting on and off and securing the yacht on deck | Usually |
| Cradle | Hired, bought or supplied by you | Varies |
| Port charges | Handling and stevedoring at each port | Varies by port and country |
| Insurance | Cover for the yacht as cargo | Sometimes; check your own policy too |
Things often charged separately:
- Getting the yacht to the load port and from the discharge port, by sea or road.
- Mast unstepping, if the yacht can't ship with its rig up.
- Customs agents, import duties and VAT, and local taxes at the destination.
- Marina berths while waiting for the ship.
What drives the price
Length, beam and height
Size is the main driver. A catamaran takes far more deck space than a monohull of the same length, and very tall yachts may not fit some ships with the rig up.
Route and schedule
Popular seasonal routes, such as northern Europe to the Mediterranean or the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, have regular sailings and keener prices because the costs are shared across many yachts. A one-off route or a remote port costs more.
Type of service
Most yachts travel as deck cargo on a regular cargo ship. Float-on, float-off ships, where the ship submerges and the yacht motors on, are used on some routes and suit larger yachts, at a higher price.
Season
Sailings line up with the yachting seasons. Booking early for a scheduled sailing is usually cheaper than a last-minute or off-season shipment.
Insurance and paperwork
Whether cargo insurance is included, and the customs formalities at the destination, both affect the final cost. Ask each partner to spell them out.
Timings
Transit times are often shorter than sailing, but the real timing factor is the schedule: if the next sailing on your route is a month away, your yacht waits for it.
When shipping makes sense
- Long or ocean routes, especially against the prevailing weather.
- Motor yachts without the range or fuel economy for a long passage.
- Valuable yachts where you want to avoid sea miles, engine hours and wear.
- Moves out of season, when a passage under sail would be risky.
For shorter moves within Europe, a skippered delivery or road transport is usually the better value. Compare all three on our boat transport services page, or see sail or ship.