International Shipping with Royal Huisman

Superyachts over 30 metres, sailing the Pacific, the Caribbean, or the coast of New Zealand. Owners who expect everything to work — and if something breaks, they expect it fixed within 48 hours. That’s the world of Royal Huisman, one of the world’s leading shipyards, based in Vollenhove. There’s no room for logistics mistakes here. A delayed part doesn’t just cost money — it puts more than 140 years of reputation on the line.

Full control over shipping, with a single point of contact

Royal Huisman used to book directly with the big carriers. That worked fine within the Netherlands, but the moment a shipment crossed a border — and at Royal Huisman, almost everything does — costs quickly spiralled. It was the 80-20 rule in action: most shipments went smoothly, but anything urgent or headed to a tricky destination came at a steep price. On top of that, every courier pulling up at the yard disrupted the workshop floor. Royal Huisman wanted one point of contact, not a queue of vans at the door.

Through a former colleague, they were introduced to Martijn from TFF, who had just started his own company. Royal Huisman gave him a chance — and that chance has grown into a partnership spanning more than ten years.

For those complex destinations, TFF thinks ahead. Not every carrier has the same coverage everywhere, and TFF knows exactly which carrier serves which destination best. That knowledge saves Royal Huisman valuable time and prevents failed deliveries. When a shipment involves hazardous materials, or timing is tight, the two teams work out the best approach together. TFF reports back on what’s needed and when the shipment will realistically arrive. No surprises, no hidden costs.

The TFF Xpress shipping portal plays a central role in all of this. Warehouse staff prepare shipments, enter the details, and choose the best option themselves. The platform guides them step by step — including a visual check on the delivery address, so nobody accidentally ships to the wrong Saint Martin. IATA-certified air freight, transparent rates, and all documentation in one place.

Since partnering with TFF, Royal Huisman has run a tightly organised shipping process: fixed cut-off times, clear agreements per shipment type, and one central point for every courier. The result is a calmer shop floor — no queue of different couriers on site, and no staff left guessing which carrier is the best option for a package headed to Australia.

“It’s become almost second nature — and that’s exactly the point. You don’t have to think about it. One central point, clear agreements, and you know where you stand on costs. Hardly any invoices come as a surprise. That’s what you want when your focus is building and maintaining yachts.”

— Ruben Bakker, Strategic Buyer at Royal Huisman

That sense of ease is the result of more than ten years of collaboration, routines built over time, and a shared understanding of what’s at stake when a shipment goes wrong. It’s also a deliberate choice: rather than negotiating with every carrier separately, Royal Huisman puts that responsibility in TFF’s hands.