Alliance formed to strengthen superyacht and shipping operations in Europe

The collaboration brings together two established maritime providers with complementary strengths. Global Services is recognised for its expertise in the supply of technical equipment, consumables, and operational stores for new builds, refits, and active vessels. Bachmann Group operates across offshore employment and payroll, vessel management, technical advisory and compliance services, on-site fuel supply partnering with all major Global bunker Agents, and port logistics with tax clearances at key locations. Bachmann Group have physical presence and offices in London and the Channel Islands, including Guernsey and Jersey.

Within this scope, Bachmann Group’s crew employment, payroll, and welfare services are delivered in full compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC). Through internationally aligned Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs) and structured human resource frameworks, the group ensures regulatory assurance for yacht owners alongside consistent welfare standards for crew, supported by successfully completed MLC audits.

Together, the partnership forms a unified service offering that addresses a growing industry need: reliable, integrated superyacht support across multiple jurisdictions, delivered without disruption. The alliance also integrates the significant trusted trading partners of these two global groups, providing superyacht captains, crew and managers with an extensive network of operational support worldwide.

“This strategic partnership will bring significant added value to our yachting customers across Europe and worldwide,” said Jim Bungard, Sales Director at Global Services. “By aligning our supply capabilities with Bachmann Group’s operational strengths, we are creating a more seamless and efficient experience for clients navigating multiple jurisdictions.”

At the heart of the agreement is a strategically aligned network of operational locations. Global Services’ hubs in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Palma are complemented by Bachmann Group’s Channel Islands base, positioned adjacent to key Northern European shipping lanes. This alignment enables efficient coordination for vessels moving between major cruising regions, ensuring continuity of supply and support throughout their transit.

A defining advantage of the partnership lies in the Channel Islands’ status as a 0% VAT jurisdiction outside both the UK and the EU. This enables visiting vessels to benefit from tax clearance at non-VAT ports and VAT-efficient procurement and fuel operations, including the ability to bunker fuel, collect pre-arrival shipped goods, and receive services without VAT charges, while maintaining compliance with international regulations.

Under the agreement, Bachmann Group will actively promote Global Services’ ability to supply and equip vessels transiting between the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and onward. In parallel, Global Services will support and promote Bachmann Group’s port stop tax clearances and VAT-free fuel bunkering services, encouraging vessels to utilise the Channel Islands as a practical and commercially advantageous port of call.

“Giving our customers the opportunity to collect goods with no VAT charged while stopping in the Channel Islands to complete exit clearances from the EU & UK tax jurisdictions and to bunker our high-quality VAT-free fuel provides yet another reason to include the region in their itinerary,” said Ben Mahy, Technical Director at Bachmann Group. “It further strengthens the Channel Islands’ position as a practical and efficient Atlantic Gateway Hub for superyacht operations.”

The partnership also enhances the technical offering available to clients. Bachmann Group will have available Sulnox fuel conditioner to vessels transiting the Channel Islands, while Global Services remains the overall approved supplier of Sulnox to the superyacht market. This revolutionary product promotes improved fuel performance and operational efficiency, aligning with evolving industry priorities.

As superyacht and commercial shipping operations become increasingly complex, the demand for coordinated, multi-service support continues to grow. This partnership reflects a broader shift towards integrated solutions that advance technical availability, simplify logistics, reduce administrative burden, and improve operational continuity.

This partnership is also expected to expand the scope and consistency of services available across key cruising regions, supporting greater commercial efficiency and operational reach for owners, managers, captains, crew and trading partners worldwide.

“This is about more than combining services,” Jim Bungard added. “It’s about delivering a coordinated solution that improves and simplifies operations for our clients and supports them at every stage of their journey.” For operators navigating Europe’s busiest maritime routes, the message is clear: the alignment of Global Services and Bachmann Group introduces a more connected, efficient, and commercially intelligent approach to yacht equipment supply, fuel bunkering, and vessel operational support, setting a new standard for service delivery across the superyacht and shipping sectors.