Superyacht Ownership Structures

Owning a yacht, particularly at the superyacht level, requires more than acquisition. It involves aligning legal, financial, regulatory and operational considerations within a coherent structure.

Fiduchi supports clients and their advisers with the establishment and ongoing administration of ownership structures designed to accommodate:

Cross-border ownership and use

Financing and lender requirements

VAT, customs and tax-related processes

Charter or mixed-use operations

Governance, reporting and record keeping

We do not provide legal or tax advice. Instead, we work alongside clients’ advisers to implement and administer structures that reflect that advice, with a focus on clarity, documentation and consistency over time.

Why Structure Ownership?

An appropriately designed structure provides a clear framework for ownership and operation.

Depending on the circumstances, this may support:

Separation of personal and asset-related affairs

Governance and oversight, particularly for family offices

Financing arrangements and lender confidence

Orderly administration, reporting and record keeping

Longer-term planning, including succession considerations

The effectiveness of any structure depends not only on how it is created, but how it is operated and maintained — an area where disciplined administration is critical.

Governance & Information Management

Yacht ownership involves sensitive personal, financial and operational information.

Fiduchi supports clients in maintaining:

Accurate corporate and ownership records

Controlled information flows between counterparties

Appropriate documentation for regulatory and reporting purposes

This includes supporting compliance with applicable legal, regulatory and disclosure frameworks, including beneficial ownership and anti-money laundering requirements.

Charter & Operational Structures

Where charter activity or commercial use is contemplated, ownership and operational arrangements should be carefully aligned.

Fiduchi supports the administration of structures connected to:

Private use

Charter activity

Mixed-use models

We coordinate closely with yacht managers, brokers, captains and advisers to ensure that the structure and its administration reflect the intended operating model.

Financing & Structuring

Yacht acquisitions are often financed through structured ownership arrangements.

A well-administered structure can support:

Lender due diligence

Security documentation

Ongoing reporting and covenant compliance

Fiduchi assists with the formation and administration of the relevant entities — working alongside lenders and advisers to ensure the structure is robust, transparent and maintainable over time.