But certainly committed to the customer

Yachting | 2025

Sandra Ahrabian, chairwoman of the supervisory board of BAVARIA AG, provides insights into the current situation in the yachting industry.

Streifzug: The economic and political times are currently somewhat turbulent. Does this also have an impact on the yachting industry?
Sandra Ahrabian: In 2020, the sales figures for large yachts skyrocketed to unimagined heights. The market was at a level that was previously not thought possible, especially during the Corona years. This has been weakened by the lack of availability of good brokerage yachts and the shipyards’ now long delivery times. But we are still in good water.

Streifzug: Can you give us some numbers to make this a little more tangible?
Sandra Ahrabian: Of course. We currently have fig-ures for the first half of 2024. 177 units of brokerage yachts over 30 metres in length were sold, which is slightly less than in the comparable period of 2023. 300 sales are expected at the end of the year, perhaps slightly more.

Streifzug: What is the situation at BAVARIA AG? Are you registering more or fewer inquiries for your insurance policies?
Sandra Ahrabian: Because of our work as a broker, we are only obligated to our customers, even in the event of a claim. Word gets around about our service, so we continue to receive more inquiries. BAVARIA AG grows by a double-digit percentage almost every year.

Streifzug: You mentioned that as a broker you have an obligation to the customer. But who hasn’t?
Sandra Ahrabian: There are different players in the market. For example, if you act as an underwriter, you are bound to certain insurance providers and work on behalf and in the interests of the insurance companies. Insurance brokers like BAVARIA AG work in the interests of their customers and are specialised in finding individual solutions. They analyse the needs of their customers and recommend suitable products based on their specific expertise, while underwriters focus more on their own company’s products.