Direct Berth provides support for yacht owners with berth search requests, berth reservations (be it long term or short term), as well as facilitate the purchase and management of a given berth. Direct Berth’s berth sales specialists are available to assist with all reservations, purchases, rentals or sales of berths. We have spoken to the company’s Managing Director, Henk E. van Egmond, who was kind enough to provide us with more information on their services.
DirectBerth.com
What does Direct Berth specialise in?
Direct Berth International Brokerage division is solely dedicated to the sale, rent and purchase of marina berths. By specialising in this niche market only, our knowledge and experience has led us to become a leading berth broker regardless of destinations. From small yachts to luxury superyachts, we deal with the best destinations of choice for the discerning yacht owner.
What can superyacht owners and customers expect from Direct Berth in terms of service?
Berth search request (long stays), berth overnight reservations support services (short stays. We also support owners that have chosen to rent out or sell your their berth; we utilise our database to contact clients interested in a berths that match. If the owner is considering buying, selling or renting a marina berth or moorings we will also provide complete support. We will organise transport for the yacht to new destinations, finding the best rates while choosing from amongst the leading yacht transport companies. In addition we help with all the procedures related to berth purchase, transfer as well as the financial and legal process.
What do you recommend for yacht owners looking for a berth as a first thing to do?
Once we have received a berth search request from a client we would discuss his cruising behaviour and what he liked about any previous marinas he has been to or experienced. Sometimes yacht owners seek a life-style marina, e.g. Port Adriano, Mallorca or Marina Ibiza, or a standard marina to basically use only to ‘park’ their yacht; as they may not use or require the various usual port facilities like restaurants, bars, shops or yacht services. We would ask if they use their yacht as a second home and how important is the ‘backyard'(city, country site). We ask about their budget as the annual fee can differ from marina to marina; for example a 20-metre berth can cost anywhere between about €15.000 per annum to € 80.000 per annum. Once they have chosen the marina, we make sure to check the exact location of the berth, the wind direction, beam, parking distance and the contractual terms.
In case of purchase it depends if the clients is buying a share of the marina or a right to moor the yacht. Is the berth number a registered property through notary or can the yacht can be moved anywhere else in port; is there a club membership fee to be paid, what are the marina maintenance fees on top of the purchase, check for any port taxes and government taxes. Does the yacht owner receive a renting fee when his berth has been rented out in the boat’s absence?
In case of rental most of the above applies, and in addition, in case of a private beth owner, it is important to make sure that the port is aware and will allow your yacht to moor in this berth.
What are the most sought-after destinations in the world when it comes to berth rental and sales?
In the Mediterranean we have Spain (The Balearic Islands), West Coast of Italy, from Rome right up to Monaco, the French Riviera. There is also Montenegro with its Porto Montenegro, a new destination for luxury yachts and yacht charter vacations.
Asia and Pacific is becoming more and more popular, including Thailand and Singapore. It is still a reasonably small market, but growing fast. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar are popular in combination with homes.
In the the USA we have the Caribbean. Clients here are mostly interested in rental, instead of purchase and almost exclusively during European winters.
Which marinas are amongst the most exclusive?
Our favourite list in the Mediterranean includes Port Adriano, designed by Philippe Starck in Mallorca, Marina Ibiza in Ibiza, Porto Cervo in Italy, Baia Scarlino in Tuscany, Italy, Marina Port Vell – a new super yacht port in Barcelona, and once again Porto Montenegro in Montenegro.
With the European charter season in full swing, it might be hard to find available berth for super yachts at the Mediterranean marinas at this stage. Is this correct or is it still possible to find some prime berths around? Or is it better to reserve your berth well in advance of the season?
For charter yachts above 30 metres it is best to book well in advance especially at the hot spots like Ibiza, Mallorca or Southern France. There is a steady increase in superyacht sales/purchase year after year (about 25% increase). However berth at the marinas are not increasing with the same rate. With the current restrictions on marina capacities in the Med, we can see a logjam on the horizon. We can expect and can already experience increased congestion – ‘nice boat no berth’ situations, with the Western Mediterranean being still the most popular cruising ground for superyacht charters and yachting.
60% of all superyachts are based in Med and the prices for berths are surging to new hights across the entire Mediterranean. There is a high demand for berth with less space available. We believe the problem will continue to increase fast; mainly 40-75 metre berths will become an issue as only about 160 berths are available in today’s crowded market.
General Info about Berthing
Since many yachts are ‘on the move’ during the summer, it is still possible to rent a berth during the high European charter season for a few nights – but to find a permanent berth in some of the locations can become a true challenge! Call The Berth Concierge at Direct Berth for more information and professional service in regard to your berth requirements. They are ready to help with all the procedures around berth purchase, transfer or any other related financial and legal processes.
