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Draft:Ocean Independence

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  • Comment: Please cut down on the WP:REFBOMBING, we really don't need six sources to verify the statement that this business accepts crypto as payment (in fact, we don't need to know that at all!), or three to support the takeover of Primo Yacht. DoubleGrazing (talk) 07:53, 6 January 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: The sources are a mix of press releases, routine business reporting (M&A, appointments, sales updates, etc.), churnalism, interviews, and coverage of indirectly related matters, none of which contributes towards notability per WP:NCORP. Take out all that, and I don't think there's anything left? DoubleGrazing (talk) 07:50, 6 January 2025 (UTC)
Ocean Independence AG
Company typeAktiengesellschaft
IndustryYachting
PredecessorOcean Cruise
Founded1991
FounderPeter Hürzeler
HeadquartersKüsnacht,
Zurich
,
  Switzerland
Number of locations
15 (2024)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Peter Hürzeler (founder & CEO)
ServicesYacht Sales and Purchases, Yacht Charter Retail, Yacht Charter Management, Yacht Services, New Construction and Refit Management, Consulting, Private Aviation
Websitehttps://www.oceanindependence.com

Ocean Independence is a yacht brokerage firm that provides luxury yachting services across yacht sales, yacht charter, management, and build. Headquartered in Küsnacht, Zurich, Switzerland, the company has a global presence with 15 locations worldwide (as of 2024..[1]).

History

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Early years

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Ocean Independence, initially established as Ocean Cruise, was founded in 1991 [2]. Ocean Cruise’s origins trace back to the mid-1980s, when Peter Hürzeler [3][4], his brother Hans Hürzeler, and a group of friends built and operated some of the first commercially registered sailing yachts for charter [5]. In the mid-1990s, when they decided to sell the fleet, Peter Hürzeler continued Ocean Cruise and started to focus on the brokerage and consultancy business [5].

Expansion

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In 2005, the firm expanded through the acquisition of Velonà Yachting, a Monaco-based brokerage house, and subsequently merged with Sea Independence (formerly Dahm International), forming the Ocean Independence brand known today [5]. At the same time, Nicholas Dean joined Ocean Cruise as a Managing Partner [5][6]. One year later, the company officially launched their dedicated yacht management services [7].

To further expand the network, Ocean Independence acquired Cavendish White, a brokerage house based in London, in 2008 [8][9]. This acquisition increased the company’s workforce to 70 people [5] and expanded its reach in the UK market [8]. In 2011, the acquisition of Primo Yacht, a Mediterranean yacht charter firm, strengthened Ocean Independence as a leader in charter fleet management [10][11][12].

During the expansion, in 2012, Ocean Independence founded LYBRA – The Leading Yacht Brokers Association, alongside other major brokerage houses [13][14]. This association was formed to formalise relationships between the "big five" brokerage firms [15] and to advocate for the brokerage sector by engaging with regulators, governments and the wider yachting market on issues such as regulations, taxation and other factors affecting the industry [15].

In 2015, Ocean Independence expanded its operations by establishing a U.S. charter and sales office in Florida . The same year, the company relocated its global headquarters to Küsnacht, near Zurich. Shortly afterwards, Ocean Independence revised its brand identity and launched a lifestyle magazine called PURSUIT.

Two years later, in 2017, they acquired the Hong Kong-based brokerage company Seanergy.[16]

Accepting Cryptocurrency

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In 2022, the company began accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment.[17][18][19][20][21][22]

Restructuring the Leadership Team

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In 2024, Ocean Independence restructured its leadership team. The brokerage house promoted Toby Maclaurin, who has served the firm since 2008, to the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) [23]. André Mahr, a former senior leader at AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere, Carnival Corporation, and A-Rosa Cruises, was appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company [24]

Prominent Sales

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According to the firm's own claims, Ocean Independence has sold over 500 yachts since its founding in the 1990s and made a total yacht sales revenue of 4 billion euros. Some prominent yacht sales from the past include:

Offices and global presence

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Besides their headquarters in Zurich, Ocean Independence has 11 locations in Europe (as of 2024,[1]), including Monaco, the French Riviera (France), Palma (Spain), Athens (Greece), London and Sussex (United Kingdom). In 2024, the firm expanded its presence in Germany by opening a new office in Munich, complementing its existing German locations in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Constance. This new office aims to strengthen support for the company’s growing customer base in southern Germany [34][35]

Across other continents, Ocean Independence operates an office in Fort Lauderdale (United States) to serve the North American market. In Asia, the company is located in Hong Kong (China) and Mumbai (India). In Australasia, it is operating in Auckland (New Zealand). (as of 2024, [1])

Industry contributions

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Ocean Independence is a co-founder of LYBRA – The Leading Yacht Brokers Association [36] and BYBA – The Balearic Yacht Brokers Association [37]. The firm is also a member of several other industry associations, including MYBA – The Worldwide Yachting Association [38], ECPY – The European Committee for Professional Yachting [39], and Deutsche Yachten [40][41]. Additionally, the company is affiliated with IYBA – The International Yacht Brokers Association [42], with some of its employees holding memberships in this organisation.

Peter Hürzeler, CEO of Ocean Independence, has served as the President of MYBA three times [43]. Similarly, Toby Maclaurin, the company's Chief Commercial Officer, is a former MYBA President [44]. Through its MYBA membership, Ocean Independence benefits from access to Yachtfolio, a centralised database of charter yacht listings, available exclusively to MYBA-accredited brokers and associated professionals.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Offices". Ocean Independence. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. ^ Ivana (2020-10-02). "Yachting Talks with Peter Hürzeler". Yachts Croatia. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  3. ^ "Von Küsnacht aus vermittelt er Jachten in die ganze Welt". Zürichsee-Zeitung (in German). 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. ^ "Peter Hürzeler: Kapitän ausser Dienst". Finanz und Wirtschaft (in German). 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Refreshingly frank". Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. ^ Loizou, Kiki (2013-05-05). "How I Made It: Nicholas Dean, founder of Ocean Independence". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  7. ^ AG, DV Bern. "OCI Ocean Management GmbH". Commercial register of canton Zurich. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  8. ^ a b Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2008-04-08). "Cavendish White joins Ocean Independence". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  9. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2008-07-17). "Why Ocean Independence bought Cavendish White". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  10. ^ Independence, OCEAN (2019-10-12). "Primo Yacht partners with OCEAN Independence for premier yachting experience". www.yachting-pages.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  11. ^ "Primo Yacht joins Ocean Independence". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  12. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2011-10-12). "Primo Yacht Charter bought by Ocean Independence". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  13. ^ "HOME | LYBRA Leading Yacht Brokers Association". HOME | LYBRA Leading Yacht Brokers Association. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  14. ^ "LYBRA". Coote & Co. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  15. ^ a b "LYBrA takes shape - SuperyachtNews". Superyacht News. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  16. ^ "SuperyachtNews.com - Company Directory - Seanergy Limited". Superyacht News. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  17. ^ "Ocean Independence now accepting crypto - SuperyachtNews". Superyacht News. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  18. ^ "Pressmare | Ocean Independence AG akzeptiert ab sofort auch Kryptowährungen". Pressmare (in German). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  19. ^ "Ocean Independence now accepting cryptocurrency for sales and charter transactions". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  20. ^ "Ocean Independence on Board With Cryptocurrency". TravMedia. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  21. ^ "Ocean Independence akzeptiert Bitcoin". 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  22. ^ Fox, Annabelle (2023-01-19). "Ocean Independence now accepts cryptocurrency payments | YP". www.yachting-pages.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  23. ^ "Ocean Independence restructures leadership team - SuperyachtNews". Superyacht News. 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  24. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2024-09-02). "Ocean Independence appoints André Mahr as COO". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  25. ^ "70m Benetti motor yacht Alfa sold". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  26. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2021-11-16). "72m superyacht Azteca, listed for sale in cryptocurrency, has been sold". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  27. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2014-06-13). "Superyacht Pegasus V sold". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  28. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2013-11-17). "Benetti superyacht Reverie sold". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  29. ^ "90m superyacht Sunrise for sale with Ocean Independence". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  30. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2011-06-28). "Superyacht Haida G sold by Ocean Independence and Edmiston". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  31. ^ "Oceanfast's superyacht Nomad sold by Ocean Independence and Navigator". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  32. ^ "Ocean Independence sells 90m Hebridean Spirit". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  33. ^ Team, SuperYacht Times Editorial (2007-02-26). "Ocean Independence sells 85m motor yacht Annaliesse (now Delma)". www.superyachttimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  34. ^ "Ocean Independence Intensifies Focus on German Market with New Munich Presence". Yacht Harbour. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  35. ^ "Ocean Independence opens new office in Munich". Marine Industry News. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  36. ^ "MEMBERS | LYBRA Leading Yacht Brokers Association". HOME | LYBRA Leading Yacht Brokers Association. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  37. ^ admin (2023-04-24). "Balearic Marine Cluster and Balearic Yacht Brokers Association sign a collaboration agreement, framed within the Palma International Boat Show". Balearic Marine Cluster. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  38. ^ "Ocean Independence AG MYBA - The worldwide yachting association - Yachts and Brokers MEMBER DETAIL". www.myba-association.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  39. ^ "Members". ECPY. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  40. ^ Billerbeck, Leonie (2022-01-18). "OCEAN INDEPENDENCE (Deutschland) GmbH - DEUTSCHE YACHTEN - Superyacht Germany". Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  41. ^ Superyachts.com. "Deutsche Yachten Welcomes Ocean Independence to German Market". www.superyachts.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  42. ^ "IYBA Members". Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  43. ^ "Peter und Alexander Hürzeler | FINVIA Interview". www.finvia.fo (in German). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  44. ^ "MYBA Charter Show insights: Toby Maclaurin - SuperyachtNews". Superyacht News. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
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