International Boat Industry - June-July 2018

64 JUNE–JULY 2018 | International Boat Industry http://www.ibi-plus.com

TECHNICAL

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT | SUPERYACHTS - WORLD REVIEW

THE MIDDLE EAST is home to several of
the world’s largest superyachts, including
the current biggest, the 180m Azzam and
the 162m Dubai. The six members of the
GCC region – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – all
actively engage in the superyacht market
to varying degrees. Other countries in
the region include Lebanon, Jordan and
Israel.

BAHRAIN
The superyacht marina infrastructure
is being expanded at this island in the
middle of the Arabian Gulf. A new refit
and repair operation has also been
launched.
The latter was established through a
partnership between the locally-based
Suprema Marine Services and Lusben, the
yacht refit arm of Italy’s Azimut-Benetti
Group. Suprema Marine Services, which

was previously based in Dubai, has set up

the new facility at Durrat Marina. It will

be able to handle yachts up to around 50m

(164ft). Staffed by seasoned professionals,

the facility includes a 5,000m^2 hard

stand, a 110-tonne travel-lift, and

100 berths.

Durrat Marina is a

US$1.3bn waterfront

development and part

of the US$6bn Durrat

Al-Bahrain project which

covers 600,000m^2 and is

planned to accommodate

4,000 people. The first

phase of the marina

provides 100 berths for

craft up to 26m (85ft). When

completed, it is planned to have a

total of 400 berths.

There are two other marinas that

offer berths up to around 35m (115ft).

KUWAIT

The Kuwaiti leisure marine market is

predominantly linked to sub-superyacht

sized vessels but a huge new development

at Al Khiran near the border with Saudi

Arabia will have four marinas with a

number of superyacht berths.

The huge US$5bn project is called Sabah

Al Ahmad Sea City and it extends over

6.4 million m^2 and comprises a network

of man-made waterways that collectively

provide over 200km of beach. The city

is anticipated to eventually house up to

200,000 people when completed. Four

marinas offering 2,710 berths up to 40m

(132ft) have already been completed.

OMAN

Sited at the entrance to the Gulf, Oman

has two existing marinas at Almouj

and Muscat which between them offer

superyacht berths up to 65m (214ft).

However, a major redevelopment is

underway to transform the former

commercial port of Sultan Qaboos into

a marine tourism hub and a base for

the Royal Family’s yacht fleet. This is an

ongoing project and, like elsewhere in the

GCC, there are marine service and supply

companies to meet the needs of visiting

superyachts.

Oman also offers the best cruising

grounds in the region for superyachts.

QATAR

Recent political disputes involving Qatar

have isolated it from a number of other

member states of the GCC and this has

had some impact on the local superyacht

market. The country offers a number

of marinas with superyacht facilities,

including The Pearl and Lusail. For the

past five years, Qatar has run an annual

boat show which previously has some

superyacht exhibits and exhibitors.

Qatar is also the base of NDSQ,

Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar. This

shipyard is involved in building two 71m

(233ft) dive support vessels for the Qatari

government, with the first due to have

been completed last year. These are the

first superyacht-style vessels built by

the NDSQ joint venture at the Ras Laffan

facility. The two fast diving support vessels

are based on the Amels Sea Axe design and

the two yachts will have space for 47 people

on board, including at least 35 crew and

10-12 guests.

Prior to the political dispute, it was

the intention of NDSQ to undertake

superyacht new-build work and they have

already performed a number of superyacht

refits including the 80m Constellation

built by Oceanco. The yard can build up to

170m (558ft) and its facilities include four

120m-long construction halls and a launch

system.

KUWAIT

BAHRAIN

OMAN

UAE

JORDAN QATAR

LEBANON

ISRAEL

SAUDI ARABIA

MIDDLE EAST

and refit and some new build activities
through such companies as Astondoa. On
the refit from front it has giants like MB92
in Barcelona and STP in Palma.

TURKEY
One of the leading superyacht building
nations with around 30 yards including
Turquoise Yachts, Bilgin Yachts, Mengi-
Yay, RMK and Dunya constructing yachts
from 25m-80m or more. Istanbul, Tuzla,

Bodrum and Antalya are the key centres.

Turkey is also an important cruising

market which after a period of diiculty

is making a comeback. It is well served by

a strong marina infrastructure offering

several superyacht berths. This year saw a

new charter show being held in Bodrum.

UK

With London’s long shipping past it

is inevitable that it is also a centre for

superyacht services being it brokers, legal,

finance, insurance or others. The country

also boasts leading builders such as

Sunseeker, Princess Yachts and Pendennis.

The latter is also a leading superyacht refit

business based in Falmouth.

On the build front Sunseeker has

indicated that it will move within three

years to building larger yachts in steel and

aluminium extending its range in composite

which currently runs up to 40m (131ft).