Switzerland has no coastline and a disproportionate number of superyacht owners. Zurich and Geneva-based principals, family offices and the trustees who act for them are a significant client group for the Mediterranean brokerage houses, and several maintain Swiss representatives or visit regularly. Ocean Independence is headquartered in Switzerland; Burgess, Fraser, Edmiston and Camper and Nicholsons serve Swiss clients from Monaco and London.
The Swiss angle is structural rather than nautical. Yachts owned by Zurich-based principals are typically held through Maltese, Cayman or Marshall Islands companies, financed or collateralised through Zurich private banks, and managed from Monaco or Palma. The broker's role includes coordinating with the owner's Swiss lawyer and bank on the holding structure.
The Registry's superyacht directory lists firms with a documented pattern of Swiss-based clients. The brokers below serve Zurich owners from their Mediterranean and London offices.
What to Look For in a Zurich Superyachts Professional
- Experience with Swiss-based owners and their advisers, including trustees and family offices
- Coordination capability with Zurich private banks on yacht finance
- Mediterranean base for the yacht itself, with management and crew capability
- MYBA membership and standard documentation