A New Chapter for MMC Holding.
CBS Yachts Launches Under MMC Holding with the Group’s Expertise & Agenda.
In the maritime hub of Piraeus, Greece, MMC Holding Group operates with a global presence through its offices in Dubai and Beirut. Known for its representation of the INSB Greek Classification Society and various maritime flags, the Group continues to expand its footprint in the Superyachting industry.
Following our series of interviews with key figures, such as the CEO of the Group Mr. George Zervos, today we are honoured to discuss with Captain Manos Tzimpimpakis, the General Manager of two Group entities, GMZ Ship Management and CBS Yachts. Captain Manos oversees a fleet of over 40 ships and is leading CBS Yachts, a new entity dedicated to the Superyachting sector. Our discussion will make us listen to his insights and know more about the new brand in the international yachting market.
converting leisure trips to attractive investments for our clients
Captain Manos, could you start by sharing your background in vessel retrofits and how this experience led you to new opportunities with CBS Yachts, particularly in sustainability projects and brokerage schemes?
My journey in the maritime industry has been quite varied, with a significant focus on vessel retrofits, especially converting ships into luxury yachts. This work goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating sustainable practices that align with our goals at CBS Yachts. Our brokerage schemes are designed to ensure that our yachts not only meet high standards of luxury but also embrace sustainability, making them attractive investments for our clients.
You’ve mentioned revolutionizing past yachting services. How does CBS Yachts plan to become a competitive player in the superyacht market with a professional structure and carefully selected team?
Our mission at CBS Yachts is to create a brand that stands out in the superyacht market by offering an approachable 24/7 butler-service out of any boundaries, with access to the global fleet, proper information, right connections. Together with my partners we’ve handpicked a team of experts, personas in the industry with stellar records, who share our vision for a healthy competition within the industry and excellence. This professional structure makes us confident to offer superior services to our clients, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and luxury travellers from our agenda.
By leveraging existing relationships and developing new ones, we wish to be part of the new era in Superyachting open for partnerships, professional improvement and development; yet the combined experience and dedication of our team are key to our success.
CBS Yachts aims to replicate the success of GMZ Ship Management? How do you plan to integrate sustainability projects and capitalize on opportunities within the EU for marine sustainability?
Our vision for CBS Yachts is broad. We strive to offer competitive services that build a loyal customer base, similar to GMZ Ship Management. Sustainability is central to our operations. We are involved in the EU-funded LEMURIA project, which focuses on developing a floating port and hydrogen production and storage. This project supports our sustainability goals and positions us as leaders in the blue economy in the East Med and Middle East. Our long-term aim is to convert preowned yachts into eco-friendly vessels, collaborating with relevant authorities.
What do you believe is the magic souce to CBS Yachts’ potential success?
To craft a timeline for CBS Yachts’ destined success, it’s essential to start with our foundational model. We’ve tested our yachting services extensively through our close relationships and trust with existing clientele in other ventures. This in-house yachting segment naturally evolved into CBS Yachts, driven by a handpicked, dedicated team of leaders who are esteemed figures in the Superyachting industry. This startup is bolstered by the confidence of our partners’ and my own past successes.
The cornerstone of our success lies in our group’s internal agenda to harness, evaluate, and cultivate opportunities, alongside identifying promising new clientele through our bases and satellite offices.
Agenda, Team, Unity
Equally significant is the shared vision and principles among my partners and team. The chemistry and collective past successes foster an altruistic mentality. We operate as a cohesive team, sharing information, access, and operational insights.
Under the leadership of Mr. George Zervos and in partnership with Richard Medawar, who has invaluable access to the Middle East maritime stakeholders, CBS Yachts ensures alignment with our supreme quality service principles.
Finally, our ingenious legal team, led by Anna Psichogiou, provides us with the comfort of comprehensive contracts and confidentiality agreements. They ensure regulatory compliance and offer strategic advice on environmental laws, tax benefits, and financial logistics. This legal acumen allows for smooth transactions, ensuring peace of mind for buyers, sellers, and investors alike. At CBS, we are dedicated to evaluating strategic legal advice to drive business expansion through mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new market entries.
CBS Yachts debuted in the summer of 2024. Why this timing chosen, is there any strategic considerations influenced this decision?
The decision to debut in the summer of 2024 was carefully planned. We wanted to observe and test our model, gather data, and evaluate our approach before making significant investments and partnerships. This deliberate planning allowed us to maximize our impact during the peak yachting season to our target audience.
The summer season is when our clients, mostly from the shipping and trading industry, are most active with last-minute enquiries for their personal lifestyle ventures. Our clientele includes both the existing agenda of our parent company, a renowned maritime group with 17 entities, and new customers who are passionate about the yachting lifestyle. By September, we will be ready to move forward with confidence, ensuring that our model is robust and our strategies well-defined.
Why headquartered in Greece? Because you live mostly in Greece?
While my family and I do reside primarily in Greece, our decision to base our headquarters here is driven by more than just our personal location. Despite our home base in Greece, our business agenda is truly international. We travel extensively to connect with clients and friends, organize roadshows with partners, and attend numerous forums, shows, and exhibitions. We also join our flying teams as needed to meet Owners, Investors, and Technical Representatives worldwide.
Greece, however, provides an exceptional setting. Its light, calm blue seas, and pristine white landscapes offer a unique inspiration. The simplicity of life here, along with the stunning islands just a breath away from Athens, create an ideal environment. The diverse landscapes make Greece a yachting destination comparable to other renowned spots like the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, and the Caribbean.
As for our expansion plans, those will be revealed in due time. For now, we appreciate your support and wish us success and fair winds.
Wish us success and fair winds
Proud member of the CBS Yachts Team, this discussion with Captain Manos Tzimpimpakis can be certainly extended as a few more to be asked, but let’s renew the second one within summer, as for now has highlighted enough a pragmatic and forward-thinking approach to the Superyacht industry. His expertise in vessel retrofits, combined with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, positions CBS Yachts as a promising player in large yacht brokerage brands.
As MMC Holding Group continues its expansion, CBS Yachts is set to redefine standards in the superyacht market with a dedicated team and clear vision. The future looks promising for this new venture, as it aims to blend luxury with environmental implementations.
Contact Us
More links: https://mmcgroupholding.com/ https://gmzhellas.com https://cbsyachts.com – Ask for more: Maria Bakalakou mbakalakou@cbsyachts.com
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