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Boating Business

Riviera’s Record Exports to U.S. Before FLIBS

The Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht is raised prior to loading on a transport vessel for the journey to Fort Lauderdale.

Australian luxury motoryacht builder Riviera is sending seven new yachts to Miami, Florida, in the company’s largest ever shipment to the United States. Five of boats will be among the 10 models showcased by Riviera at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to be held on October 27-31.

A Big Investment

Valued at more than $20 million, this fleet consists of the new 645 SUV heading for her US boat show premiere, a 72 Sports Motor Yacht, a 50 Sports Motor Yacht, a 6000 Sport Yacht, two 5400 Sport Yachts and a 445 SUV. The yachts will be loaded over two days and three tides, such is the size and scale of this operation.

“Each motor yacht takes up to an hour-and-a-half to load, so we have allowed two days to undertake this record shipment,” said Kyle Davison, Riviera’s Production Director. “It’s a major logistical exercise that will require additional members from our team to complete.”

The motor yachts’ delivery will be an express service to Fort Lauderdale with the ship bypassing two ports to be landed directly into Miami from Brisbane, instead of Riviera’s usual port of call in Savannah, Ga.

A 50 Sports Motor Yacht, a 5400 Sport Yacht and a 445 SUV are staged for loading.

“This rarely happens in commercial shipping, but with seven motor yachts on board occupying the space of up to 560 containers, it’s a significant cargo and thus has received express delivery status to the US,” said Davison.

Show Time

The motor yachts are projected to land in the U.S. on October 20 in time for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the world. Riviera’s owner care team based in Stuart, Florida, will be on hand to meet the ship and assist with the unloading ahead of finessing the motor yachts for Fort Lauderdale.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is Riviera’s largest international show with 10 boats on display and the company is enthusiastic after its successful event at the Cannes Yachting Festival in France that finished in September.

The 645 SUV (foreground) will be making her U.S. debut at Fort Lauderdale.

"Our 850-strong team is proud of this achievement, our latest shipment to the United States and our largest ever to meet growing demand,” said Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst. “This shipment represents an impressive display of premium motor yachts that are superbly hand-crafted in Australia and are truly world class.” 



He added that, “It’s especially pleasing that all the motor yachts, including our outstanding new 645 SUV, will arrive in time for one of our biggest showcases of the year at Fort Lauderdale. Since her world premiere in Australia earlier this year, boat owners internationally have been drawn to the innovative 645 SUV and we’re looking forward to her Americas premiere at Fort Lauderdale in October.”