Keller Transporte

What Keller Transporte does

Keller Transporte GmbH & Co. KG is a German family-owned logistics company founded in 1997 by Rainer Keller in Fuchsstadt, Germany, that specializes in Europe-wide land and water transportation of boats and yachts. The company serves a primarily private-owner customer base — individual motor boat and sailing yacht owners across 30+ European countries — together with a smaller secondary segment of yacht manufacturers and dealers (e.g., Bavaria Yachtbau) and other transport companies purchasing BF3 escort capacity. The commercial offering is structured around an 'All-around Carefree Package' (Rundum-Sorglos-Paket) that bundles berth pickup, crane lifting, transport permits, BF3 escorts, insurance (40 SDR/kg domestic, 8.33 SDR/kg CMR international), rigging/de-rigging, customs clearance, and optional winter storage into a single quote-based transaction.

The underlying operating asset base is a specialized over-dimensional heavy-transport fleet: a Scania 3-axle tractor with 660 hp (purchased April 2023), two BF3 escort vehicles (acquired 2014 and 2023), a large forklift for yacht handling (2021), an in-house workshop with a lifting platform for damage-free boat transfers (built 2016), and ~3,000 sqm of fenced outdoor plus ~600 sqm of indoor winter storage at the Fuchsstadt headquarters. Staff hold Sportbootführerschein (Binnen und See), UBI and SRC radio certificates, enabling both inland and sea water-transfer operations. Go-to-market is direct-inquiry driven via website forms, phone and email, supplemented by partner referrals from boat dealers, marinas and industry brands; distribution is exclusively direct with no intermediaries or marketplace listings. Pricing is custom-quoted per job with a 14-day payment term and a 50% cancellation fee within 7 working days of transport start.

Name

Keller Transporte

Legal name

Keller Transporte GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://bootstransporte-keller.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Keller Transporte is a German family-owned logistics company founded in 1997 that specializes in Europe-wide land and water transport of boats and yachts, BF3 escort services, and winter storage for private owners, yacht dealers, and manufacturers across 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boat and Yacht Transport Logistics

NAICS

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Project & Heavy-Haul / Oversize Road Forwarding (Permits/Escorts) (TLACACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialized Trailer & Heavy Transport Equipment Providers (SPMT, Lowboy, Multi-Axle) (TLADAGAM)

Keywords

• Boat transport logistics
• Yacht transport services
• Marine cargo hauling
• Heavy haul transport
• Boat winter storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Fuchsstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Boat and Yacht Land Transport: Core revenue stream from transporting boats and yachts overland across Europe. Pricing is quote-based, requiring details on dimensions (length, width, height), shipyard, pick-up and destination harbors. Offers include total price for foreseeable tolls, transport escorts, over-width permits, CMR insurance, and all personnel and equipment costs. Valid for 4 weeks from offer date. Payment due within 14 days of invoice receipt prior to transport.
2. Water Transfer Services: Maritime water-transfer service for yachts to other harbors or countries via water routes. Staff are internationally certified to operate pleasure crafts on inland waterways and sea (Sportbootführerschein Binnen und See), with UBI and SRC radio certificates. Includes all administrative procedures and permit organization.
3. BF3 Escort Vehicle Services: Since acquiring own BF3 escort vehicles in 2014 and 2023, the company offers BF3 escort services to other transport companies, generating additional revenue while eliminating the need to purchase external BF3 escorts for its own operations.
4. Winter Storage: Seasonal indoor and outdoor storage for boats and yachts at the Fuchsstadt headquarters. Services include pick-up from berth, crane lifting, insurance, transport, winterisation, polishing, and maintenance. Revenue from storage fees and ancillary services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Keller Transporte specializes in the overland and water transport of boats and yachts across 30+ European countries, offering a comprehensive 'Rundum-Sorglos-Paket' (All-Around Carefree Package) that includes berth pick-up and delivery, crane lifting, insurance (national 40 SDR/kg and international CMR 8.33 SDR/kg), rigging/de-rigging, customs formalities, special permits, and administrative procedures. The company also operates BF3 escort vehicle services for heavy transports and provides secure indoor and outdoor winter storage at its Fuchsstadt headquarters. Its entirely self-owned fleet and certified staff (Sportbootführerschein Binnen und See, UBI and SRC radio certificates) enable end-to-end handling of every transport step.

Product overview

Keller Transporte is a boat and yacht transportation logistics company offering a unified service portfolio centered on Europe-wide boat and yacht transport. The core offering is the Boot- und Yachttransport service, which combines land transport (via specialized trucks) and water transfer capabilities. This is complemented by the company's own BF3 escort vehicle service (since 2014) for securing heavy transports, and the Winterlager winter storage service with secure indoor/outdoor facilities and comprehensive maintenance. The company bundles these into a 'Rundum-Sorglos-Paket' (All-Around Carefree Package). The company also operates an own repair workshop for post-transport handling. The business operates a modern fleet including Scania tractors and maintains a 160 m² office in Fuchsstadt, Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boot- und Yachttransport (Boat and Yacht Transport) Core service for transporting boats and yachts by land (road) and water across Europe, including pick-up and delivery at berths, rigging/de-rigging, insurance coverage (40 SDR/kg national, 8.33 SDR/kg CMR international), customs clearance, and transport permit acquisition. Quote-based pricing is provided based on boat dimensions, shipyard, and pick-up and destination harbors, with a lead time of 2-3 weeks for international and 2 weeks for national transports. Valid for 4 weeks from offer date.
• BF3 Begleitfahrzeug (BF3 Escort Vehicle Service) BF3 escort vehicle service for securing heavy boat and yacht transports, with two own BF3-equipped vehicles (acquired 2014 and August 2023). Vehicles are equipped with traffic signaling units, rotating beacons, CB radio, telephone, navigation, laptops with internet, independent vehicle heaters, reflective foil, and camping equipment. The service is also offered to other transport companies that need BF3 escort support for heavy boat and yacht transports.
• Winterlager (Winter Storage) Secure indoor and outdoor winter storage for boats and yachts on the fenced premises at the Fuchsstadt headquarters, with security guard protection, washing area with oil separator, and 180 bar high-pressure hot cleaner. Services include pick-up from berth, crane lifting, insurance, transport, winterisation, polishing, and maintenance.
• Rundum-Sorglos-Paket (All-Around Carefree Package) Comprehensive service bundle that covers all aspects of boat and yacht transport, including berth pick-up and delivery, crane lifting, insurance (national 40 SDR/kg and international CMR 8.33 SDR/kg), rigging/de-rigging, customs formalities, administrative procedures, special permits, and winter storage. Employees hold Sportbootführerschein (pleasure craft licenses) for inland and sea waters, plus UBI and SRC radio certificates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27+ years in operation, with decades of experience in boat/yacht transport
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered notable and minor.

• Bavaria YachtbaunotableGTM or Marketing PartnerBavaria Yachtbau is a major European yacht manufacturer. Boottransporte Keller transported a Bavaria R55 yacht from the Danube to the Côte d'Azur, and Bavaria published a case study story about this transport on their website, generating mutual marketing value.
• Boote PfisterminorOthersBoat dealer listed on the partner page of Bootstransporte Keller.
• GründlminorOthersPartner boat brand/service listed on the partner page.
• Bootsservice WürzburgminorOthersBoat service provider in Würzburg listed as a partner.
• Marina SaalminorOthersMarina listed as a partner on Bootstransporte Keller's partner page.
• Profi NauticminorOthersBoat service provider listed as a partner.
• MBSASminorOthersPartner listed on the partner page of Bootstransporte Keller.
• Kroati.deminorOthersPartner related to Croatian maritime services listed on the partner page.
• Nautik VerlagminorOthersNautical publishing house listed as a partner.
• Bootsbau SpeckminorOthersBoat builder listed as a partner.
• Kuhnle WerftminorOthersShipyard listed as a partner.
• WassersportzentrumminorOthersWater sports center listed as a partner.
• Boote WinkelminorOthersBoat dealer/service provider listed as a partner.
• Marina RingelminorOthersMarina listed as a partner.
• 1myc.deminorOthersPartner (nautical services) listed on the partner page.
• MCPminorOthersCroatian maritime partner listed on the partner page.
• Schilhan WerbungminorOthersMarketing/advertising agency responsible for the design and technical realization of the website. Listed in the website imprint.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DSV: Global transport and logistics provider with Road, Air & Sea divisions, including project cargo and special transports. Comparable as a broad incumbent that can compete with Keller for oversized boat/yacht moves as part of a wider freight portfolio.
• DHL Global Forwarding: World's largest air and ocean freight forwarder with road freight and special-cargo capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent that handles oversized, time-sensitive, and high-value cargo and could encroach on Keller's specialty boat/yacht transport segment.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder with a Special Cargo / Projects division handling oversized and high-value shipments. Comparable as a broad incumbent that could expand into or compete against Keller's boat/yacht transport niche with greater scale and network reach.

Direct peers

• Peters & May: UK-headquartered specialist in international yacht and boat transport by road, sea, and air. Direct competitor to Keller in the European overland boat/yacht transport niche, with comparable end-to-end door-to-door service model.
• Sevenstar Yacht Transport: Netherlands-based yacht transport specialist offering door-to-door services across Europe and worldwide. Directly comparable to Keller in providing full-service yacht relocation including road legs, customs, and permits, though with a stronger global footprint and ocean-shipping capability.

Others

• Goldhofer: German manufacturer of heavy-duty and specialized transport trailers (lowloaders, modular trailers, SPMT) used in Keller's heavy-haul boat/yacht operations. Relevant as an enabling supplier whose equipment underpins Keller's transport capability.
• Nooteboom Trailers: Netherlands-based manufacturer of specialized heavy and oversized-load trailers. Comparable as an enabling supplier of the type of equipment Keller relies on for European oversize boat/yacht transport.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSFZ-YRk-R2APcZMkAIZSTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/BoottransporteKeller
• Instagraminstagram.com/keller_boottransporte
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keller-transporte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Keller Transporte