January February 2019 Marina World

WORLD NEWS
D-Marin signs JV to operate
Middle East marinas
UAE: Meraas and Dubai Holding have signed an agreement with Dogus Group company D-Marin to manage and operate
the existing and future marinas being developed at Port de la Mer, Dubai Harbour and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
The partnership also seeks to
establish a regional centre with a
global standard for renovation, service
and maintenance of luxury vessels in
Dubai, similar to the D-Marin backed
MB92, which currently has branches in
Barcelona, Spain and La Ciotat, France.
D-Marin, which operates the largest
chain of marinas in the eastern
Mediterranean at six international
destinations, is well positioned to
attract international investment in the
maritime sector and help promote
Dubai as a preferred destination for
luxury yachting. The joint venture also
includes long-term provisions for the
development of additional marina
lifestyle offerings through a broader
ecosystem of service and investments
that extend into other sectors in the
Middle East and Far East regions.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai,
group chairman of Meraas and
chairman of Dubai Holding, confirmed:
“The success of the two companies
in attracting a global operator such as
D-Marin to invest in the luxury marinas
sector is aligned to the vision of His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president
and Prime Minister of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai, to promote Dubai
as a leading international tourist
destination and position the UAE at the
forefront of the world’s most businessfriendly
countries. This agreement will
contribute to attracting new foreign
investment to Dubai, which has high
rates of direct investment growth in high
value sectors.”
“This move is in line with the
sustained efforts of Meraas and Dubai
Holding to realise the Dubai Plan
2021 to diversify the UAE’s economy
and promote its sustainable growth
through increasing the contribution to
GDP of vital sectors, such as tourism
and related activities, including luxury
yachting and maritime transportation,”
he added.
As part of the joint venture, D-Marin
will manage the marinas, advise
on technical and design aspects
for building at
competitive cost,
provide marketing
and advertising
support, and create
a calendar of marine
activities.
Ferit Sahenk,
chairman of Dogus
Group, said: “Dubai
has become an
inspiring story over
the past decades.
As Dogus Group, we
have been actively
growing in Dubai
since 2011 with
our real estate and
food and beverage
business and are very grateful for the
opportunities Dubai has offered us.”
“This agreement is a testament to
the success of D-Marin in expanding
globally…[and] will unite our energies
to create world-class marine facilities
in the UAE. We are aware of the
importance of this partnership as it will
contribute positively to the cooperation
between all parties and give it much
momentum and strength,” he continued.
Ferit Sahenk (left) chairman of Dogus
Group shakes on the JV deal with His
Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, group
chairman of Meraas and chairman
of Dubai Holding.
In the GCC and Middle East in
general, there is a growing need for
marinas. The region is a major market
for luxury yachts, with over 200 yachts
requiring a berth in excess of 40m
(131ft) in length.
Expansion contract for
Port Louis Marina
GRENADA: Camper & Nicholsons Marinas (C&N) has awarded Marinetek a
contract to expand Port Louis Marina. Work will start in the early part of the
second quarter this year.
C&N’s in-house technical team
is liaising closely with Marinetek
to design the extension, which
comprises two piers with a total of
90 berths of 12 to 22m (39 to 72ft)
in length. The new pontoons will
increase the number of visitor berths
and long lease berthing options.
Owned and managed by C&N,
Port Louis currently has 160 berths
for vessels up to 90m (295ft). The
new pontoon layout will enable the
marina to accommodate more large
catamarans.
C&N chief operating officer, Dan
Hughes, said that business was
continuing to grow at Port Louis
Marina and the extra berths would
also help boost the marina’s events
profile.
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