Ben Mahy provides insight into the Bachmann Group, delivering 24/7/365 dedicated on-call support services to owners, captains and executive management
Bachmann Group are a global company offering a comprehensive suite of management services to aviation, and shipping & superyacht marine sectors. Bachmann Group are international specialists in port and fuelling logistics services, tax clearance management, and are responsible for the monthly payroll of over 25,000 seafarers and aircrew so you have the strength of our global size in support of your requirements.
Ben Mahy is the company lead on the handling of all Direct Vessel Support to owners, captains and crew, so you have his personal assurance of best support. Ben is a qualified Yacht Master, Naval Architect, Project Manager, Port DPA/CSO, VAT Export Handler, ISM ISPS MLC Internal Auditor and Fuel Quality Engineer.
The Port Logistics Services that Ben covers include professional management of:
- Crew and Vessel Clearance & non-VAT paid Export/TA period reset
- Provisioning, crew wellbeing and shore support
- Crew changes and commercial travel support
- All Port Stop Logistics (pilots, berth, linesmen, fuel bunkering oversight)
- Port Authority & Regulatory Formalities
- IMO MARPOL & Classification Society Rules
- Vessel Engineering & Technical Support
Here we review 6 Case Studies which cover the many and ever-changing variable factors in port stop planning and procedures, and why Dedicated Support Services from personal individuals such as Ben, are invaluable and essential to meet owner and management schedule and business vessel
performance objectives. These trusted port and regulatory operators need a wealth of experience and knowledge across a wide range of technical subjects and areas with very high values of operational, reputational and financial liability. Who do you rely on to take responsibility for your high-stake logistics and compliance?
CASE STUDY 1 – URGENT FUEL REQUEST
After initial discussions about a possible bunkering request ‘in the coming weeks’, Ben received a last-minute, out-of-hours request at 9:30pm on Friday to supply 100,000 litres to a 47m Italy built vessel in Jersey the following day. This posed significant challenges: the delivery fell outside terminal operating hours, beyond drivers’ normal working hours, on the final day of monthly reporting, and during scheduled out-of-hours maintenance at the fuel terminal. Despite these constraints, Ben leveraged his strong local relationships and industry connections. Through late-night and early-morning negotiations, he successfully overcame all operational barriers, coordinated the supply, and completed the delivery, ensuring the customer vessel met its urgent departure schedule to the client’s full satisfaction.
CASE STUDY 2 – DE NEW BUILD NON-VAT PAID EXPORT
On 6th September, Ben received a request for EU export support for a non-VAT paid 60m German new build, with only five days to arrange its VAT-free exit from Germany. Within ten days, he managed the vessel’s non-EU clearance and fuel stop in Guernsey, followed by its Gibraltar call. He then oversaw planning for re-entry under Temporary Admission in France, completing it all within a 30-day schedule. During transit, an unplanned stop in Palma, Mallorca on 21st September required reorganising the Temporary Admission process, all finalised by 5th October. The owner and family office praised Bachmann Group’s expert handling of complex EU logistics and tax procedures under tight deadlines. To note: the overall service took: Circa 350 email exchanges, plus phone calls and messaging services with 24/7 support over 3 global and diverse time zones.
CASE STUDY 3 – TEMPORARY ADMISSION RESET
On 28th August, Ben received a request to arrange a Guernsey Temporary Admission reset and fuel bunkering for a 97m vessel following a 10-month German refit, with an initial ETA of 12:00 on Saturday 9th. Delays departing Hamburg pushed arrival to 20:00, requiring full rescheduling, followed by further re-commissioning issues delaying arrival to 00:30 Sunday. After a short layover, bunkering began at 05:00 and 330,000 litres were completed by 21:00. The vessel departed early Monday 11th. Ben provided 24/7 lead support across planning, approvals, rescheduling, port coordination, and bunkering logistics, ensuring smooth execution despite multiple changes.
CASE STUDY 4 – NL NEW BUILD NON-VAT PAID EXPORT
This case covers a full EU export completion of a 60m Dutch built vessel, including a month of pre-planning, sale completion in the Netherlands, and Guernsey non-EU clearance with 11 days of vessel and crew support. The project involved over 450 communications, including during the Easter period, with intensive support across key dates in early April. Logged time exceeded 26 standard hours and 28 out-of-hours. Services included 24/7 DPA support, clearance and customs procedures, berthing and anchorage arrangements, pilots and linesmen, crew disembarkations, provisioning, medical and logistical support, as well as regulatory coordination, port approvals, and local documentation.
CASE STUDY 5 – IN-TRANSIT TECHNICAL & ITINERARY SUPPORT
A 62m Italy-built vessel toured the Channel Islands with Bachmann Group providing full concierge and technical support from 23 April to 28 May 2024. Over 550 communications were logged, with continuous 24/7 coverage across weekends and bank holidays. Total logged time exceeded 32.75 hours, with around 15% out-of-hours work.
Support included consultancy for Guernsey clearance en route to an EU shipyard, port call and guest tour planning, and coordination for Guernsey, St Malo, Jersey, Sark, and Alderney. Services covered arrival and customs procedures, anchorage and berthing logistics, pilots and linesmen, fuel sampling, crew changes, guest transfers and local arrangements – completed smoothly despite schedule and weather adjustments.
CASE STUDY 6 – IN-TRANSIT TECHNICAL & ITINERARY SUPPORT
This case involved full export process support for a 38m Dutch-built vessel, managing EU export, non-EU clearance, and re-entry under Temporary Admission as a non-VAT paid vessel. From 1 May to
19 June 2024, Bachmann Group handled over 350 communications, including seven weekends and two bank holidays. Key milestones included Guernsey port arrival and departure on 4 June. Logged time exceeded 24 standard hours and 9.25 out-of-hours.
Services included 24/7 Designated Person Ashore oversight, documentation templates, legal and regulatory coordination, operational logistics, and Guernsey pre-approvals, customs and berthing arrangements. Support continued through Temporary Admission preparations for Ibiza, with a revised routing omitting the Gibraltar stop.
As a 0% VAT jurisdiction, Guernsey with Bachmann Group’s home port and tax system knowledge, provides a unique opportunity for fully assured customs clearance outside of EU and UK tax area liabilities, which is directly en-route of the Channel, Kannal or Sleeve (depending on your national language) shipping lanes.
For more details on vessel management and operations support services, please visit the Bachmann Group portfolio brochure, or contact [email protected] brochure.bachmanngroup.com
