Regional yacht manufacturers and some the biggest players in the maritime game have cruised into the UAE this week for the Dubai International Boat Show 2015, flaunting AED 1 billion (US $272 million) worth of boats on display.
The show is bolstered this year by new segments, including fishing watersports and sailing, as well as an emphasis on mid-size vessels that are suited to leisure activities around the Gulf.
One of the key players is Gulf Craft, coming in hot with new vessels while currently working on a new superyacht facility in the upcoming Dubai Maritime City district. The boats, Majesty 122 and the smaller Nomad 65 are currently on display for prospective buyers.
Majesty 122 (pictured below) is the latest addition to the Majesty Yachts line of luxury fly-bridge superyachts, which are designed to suit the “Mediterranean lifestyle”, according to the manufacturer, with lounging areas for entertaining both inside and out, including two decks with lavish interiors, an extended balcony and a spacious fly-bridge.
There is no short supply of superyachts in Dubai’s marinas, but new plans for a luxury yacht facility in the upcoming Dubai Maritime City district will surely help forge the city’s future nautical heritage. Boat-maker Gulf Craft has already pledged $100 million toward the 90,000-square foot facility, which will be used to for the manufacture of mega and superyachts.
CEO Erwin Bamps claims the supersized shipyard will be a boost to the global yachting business worldwide, offering even larger superyachts to buyers around the globe when it becomes fully operational two to three years from now.
Set sail for the The Heart of Europe
One of the other main announcements comes from Art Marine, the Middle East’s largest leisure yachting enterprise and one of the show’s largest annual exhibitors.
The company is today signing an MOU with Kleindienst Group – developer of the Heart of Europe at The World Islands – ahead of a collaborative project within the archipelago. More details will soon be announced, but the company is also consolidating its presence in the region with its Oman launch and resurgence of business in Egypt
“We are focused on continuing to forge strategic partnerships and cementing our presence in the countries of the region we believe in, not only for the superyacht market but also for people who want to enter this lifestyle with a smaller, affordable boat,” said CEO Gregor Stinner.
“The Dubai International Boat Show is the best platform for us, to announce new projects, new partnerships and the ongoing collaborations with our partners in this ever challenging but promising market.”
Sailing to more distant horizons, the firm has also named other destinations in the region and has opened up a new flagship facility on the Red Sea, at Soma Bay near Hurghada, as well to the Ayla Resort on the northern shores of Aqaba, Jordan.
Another UAE-based luxury yacht manufacturer, Al Shaali Marine, will unveil its new USD 5.45 million AS100 model superyacht at the Dubai International Boat Show, which it describes as the first of its kind designed and manufactured in the Middle East.
The dizzying towers of Dubai Marina overlook the exhibition