Global Vessel Sourcing: Custom Builds
Steven Young’s maritime career is defined by a unique ability to bridge the gap between international clients and world-class manufacturing. By leveraging deep-rooted relationships with Chinese naval architects and shipyards, Steven provides a strategic advantage in sourcing new and used vessels that are both technically superior, practical, and exceptionally cost-effective.
High-Impact Government Procurement
Recently, Steven has played a pivotal role in modernising the maritime capabilities of the Cook Islands Government. Recognised for his ability to navigate complex international trade and logistics, he was engaged to source and deliver critical assets for the nation’s inter-island infrastructure:
Supply Ship & LCT Procurement: Steven spearheaded the sourcing of a new, purpose-built supply ship and multiple Landing Craft (LCTs) from China. These vessels were specifically selected and designed to improve inter-island connectivity and support the Northern Cook Islands with essential cargo and fuel deliveries.
End-to-End Voyage Management: His service extended far beyond the initial purchase. Steven managed the entire technical and operational logistics of the delivery, including the sourcing and management of professional crews to sail the vessels from their manufacturing base in China across the Pacific to the Cook Islands.
Strategic Logistics & Compliance: This project required meticulous coordination of international customs, maritime surveys, and blue-water transit planning, ensuring the vessels arrived ready for immediate service in the Cook Islands’ national shipping fleet. Navigating Asian Manufacturing & Naval Architecture
Steven’s success in these large-scale projects is built on a foundation of trusted partnerships in the Asian maritime sector:
Collaborative Design: By working directly with Chinese naval architects, Steven ensures that new builds are engineered for the specific environmental and operational challenges of the Pacific, balancing high utility with practical maintenance requirements.
Direct-to-Yard Access: His established relationships with Chinese ship manufacturers allow him to secure competitive pricing and build-to-specifications that traditional brokers often cannot access. This provides clients with a direct pipeline to new-build solutions that are more cost-effective than buying on the open used market.
The Consultant’s Advantage
For government bodies and commercial operators alike, Steven offers a rare end-to-end consultancy. Through his work as a marine broker and marine consult, he manages the entire lifecycle of an acquisition—from the first technical drawing in a Chinese shipyard to the final delivery in a home port.
Whether it is a specialized Landing Craft for remote island service or a high-capacity supply vessel, Steven Young remains the preferred partner for organisations seeking reliable, practical, cost-efficient, and expertly managed maritime solutions.
With a career spanning over four decades, Steven Young has established himself as a prominent figure in the international shipping industry. From managing heavy-lift charters to operating large-scale ferry networks, his expertise covers the full spectrum of maritime Sourcing, Logistics, Vessel management, and Offshore Operations
International Chartering & Heavy-Lift Logistics
Steven’s career is defined by his ability to solve the most complex “impossible” shipping challenges. He has a proven track record in chartering specialized vessels for global transport:
Locomotive Sea-Freight: Steven has masterminded several massive logistics projects for the National Railway Equipment Company, including the chartering of heavy-lift ships to move 84 locomotives from Australasia to Chicago.
Specialised Industrial Transport: In 1986, he managed the di cult repositioning of a power station from New Zealand to Manila—a project involving 50-tonne generator sets during a time when modern heavy-lift equipment was scarce.
Pioneering Semi-Submersibles: In 1987, Steven brought the first Chinese 8000-tonne semi-submersible ship into Auckland. He coordinated the mid-harbour loading of massive dredges and barges for the construction of Hong Kong’s international airport.
Vessel Ownership & Blue-Water Operations
Steven’s deep-sea experience extends into direct vessel ownership and operational management. For five years, he co-owned and operated the ocean-going tug Herekino in partnership with F.F. Cruz Shipping. Under his leadership, the vessel successfully completed high-stakes contracts for the Australian and US Navies, including the deep-sea tow of the US Goldberg from Pearl Harbour to Sydney.
His hands-on operational knowledge includes:
Bunkering & Fuel Logistics: Founder of a dedicated bunker fueling service, winning and managing contracts for global giants Shell, BP, Caltex, and Mobil.
Salvage & Wreck Removal: Trusted by P&I Insurance Clubs for critical wreck removal and salvage operations across the Pacific, including the Jay Belinda in Niue.
Maritime Infrastructure & Fleet Management
As the founder of Pacific Ferries Ltd in 1998, Steven became a central figure in Auckland’s maritime landscape. He didn’t just operate ships; he built the infrastructure they needed, including a custom floating wharf in downtown Auckland. Managing a fleet of vessels up to 44m, he navigated complex resource consents and environmental impacts, eventually serving on the board for the development of Auckland’s downtown waterfront.
Consulting & Modern Brokerage
Today, Steven applies this immense depth of experience to commercial vessel brokering. He provides end-to-end services for clients—not just selling vessels, but sourcing crew, organizing their international repositioning, arranging towing surveys, managing customs, and ensuring full maritime insurance compliance.
