Salamanca Group, the UK-based Merchant Banking and Operational Risk business, has formed a new business in partnership with one of the best known entrepreneurial families in America. OneOcean is expected to become the pre-eminent provider of services as well as facilities to the upper end of the superyacht industry and a trusted advisor to yacht owners.
OneOcean to wholly own Marina Port Vell - a fantastic Barcelona yacht holiday destination, nestled in Spain
OneOcean will provide superior services and facilities to the owners of superyachts with operations in Barcelona and South Florida.
OneOcean will provide:
MARINE OPERATIONS including service and maintenance, refit, marina dockage (rental and home berth right) and project management;
FACILITIES including marinas, restaurants, private members clubs, hotels, and residential real estate;
CLIENT ADVISORY SERVICES including acquisitions and disposals, insurance introductions, project management, advisory, and a range of private office skills and capabilities for Salamanca Group clients.
The owners of the UK-registered OneOcean Ventures Ltd are the Merchant Banking and Operational Risk business, Salamanca Group, based in London’s Mayfair and the US-based Huizenga family, founders of three Fortune 500 companies and six businesses listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
OneOcean will wholly own Marina Port Vell, the soon to be completed state of the art superyacht marina located in the heart of Barcelona. It is intended that OneOcean will also invest in Marina Barcelona’92 (MB’92), Europe’s largest superyacht repair facility, to bring together the two neighbouring facilities and thereby transform Barcelona into the most important superyacht hub in the Mediterranean. To complement this European hub, OneOcean also plans to make a strategic investment in Rybovich, the Huizenga family owned marina and refit shipyard in South Florida, in order to align two of the world’s largest nautical clusters and establish coordinated operations on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. These investments will establish the cornerstone of a trusted international service network designed to improve all aspects of yacht ownership. The combined marine operations of OneOcean will be run by Carlos Vidueira, Rybovich’s current President.
Commenting on the formation, Martin Bellamy, Chairman of both Salamanca Group and OneOcean Ventures said, “I am confident that OneOcean will have a positive impact on the industry and that our commitment to serve the owners is a well-placed strategy. I am delighted to be working with the Huizenga family. Together, I believe that we have the skills and drive to create one of the most exciting and dynamic businesses in the sector. I see very real value in assembling a company that is able to provide services and also owns and controls considerable assets.”
Wayne Huizenga, Jr. comments “Working with Salamanca Group creates a great opportunity for our customers, employees, subcontractors, vendors and other stakeholders. Salamanca Group has vast experience in delivering trusted services to high net worth individuals through their Private Office. These capabilities, combined with our knowledge in the superyacht industry, provide an exciting platform from which to build OneOcean.”
OneOcean aims to provide a wide range of services from its two key hubs in Barcelona and Florida. The two facilities are amongst the most important yachting hubs in the world and are capable of berthing and servicing vessels up to 180 metres, as well as providing every other service that these yachts require.
The OneOcean brand will extend its offering into the luxury lifestyle sector with the development of the OneOcean Club concept. The first private members’ club is opening in Barcelona in November this year. Over time OneOcean expects to establish a number of private members clubs, hotels and residencies in iconic locations around the world that will resonate with nautical enthusiasts.
OneOcean aims to improve the experience for the owner throughout the ownership lifecycle through transparency, professionalism, dedication to service, quality and excellent governance.
The OneOcean Client Advisory team, based in Monaco will, through OneOcean Yachting Services Limited advise clients on a wide range of topics that will include areas such as procurement, management and identifying finance, disposals and insurance introductions. The team will be led by industry veteran Luc Khaldoun.
“Our Client Advisory offering is discreet and capable of helping superyacht owners through our people, services and existing knowledge and capabilities,” said Bellamy. “OneOcean offers a powerful partner to clients, not only in their ownership of a yacht, but also as a long-term advisor, supporting all areas of their lifestyle. Our aim is to enhance the enjoyment of owning a yacht and to provide peace of mind.”
The superyacht market is growing fast – the forecast is for 20 per cent growth over the next five years. From the outset, OneOcean aims to deliver a discreet, transparent, well governed and compliant service. Its aim is to build trust in the exclusive superyacht community by challenging the status quo and working in the direct interests of owners around the world by assisting them in making sound business decisions and by supporting those decisions through the provision of superior services.
