2022 November December Marina World

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES
Abu Dhabi –
a new winter oasis
Abu Dhabi is on a journey to becoming a major destination for the global
superyacht industry. According to a report entitled New Winter Oasis for
Maritime Luxury Experience – Abu Dhabi’s Quest to Become a Global
Superyacht Destination, published by Abu Dhabi Maritime, custodian of the
emirate’s waterways and part of AD Ports Group, it has achieved a number of
important milestones.
The whitepaper, which was
released at the Monaco Yacht Show
in September, points to the increased
sector demand from 5,325 registered
superyachts currently on the world’s
waterways, divided between 4,492
motor yachts and 833 sailing yachts.
Construction of over 150 further
superyachts is also set to complete in
2022, representing a total fleet value of
more than €4 billion.
After extensive consultation with
industry experts, the report identified
four key criteria that give Abu Dhabi
significant comparative advantages,
including: favourable seasonal weather
and sea conditions; advanced maritime
infrastructure and related services;
established legal and regulatory
environment; and world-class attractions
incorporating social, cultural and
entertainment elements.
“We developed this whitepaper to
showcase the significant progress
that Abu Dhabi has made in recent
years in developing its unique offering
to superyacht owners and to identify
areas where more work is needed in
order to achieve our vision,” explained
Ammar Al Shaiba, acting CEO of
Maritime Cluster, AD Port Group. “The
findings demonstrate that the emirate
is becoming a destination of choice
among the superyacht elite, with a
wide range of services, attractions and
climate benefits. Multiple agencies and
organisations are working together
under the guidance of our wise
leadership to achieve this goal.”
Developed from a range of qualitative
interviews with international experts
conducted in 2021 and 2022, the
report examines the factors that attract
owners to venture beyond traditional
destinations such as Mediterranean
ports like Marbella, Capri, Saint Tropez,
Antibes and Monaco, and Caribbean
ports such as Antigua, St Lucia, the BVI
and the Bahamas.
Experts interviewed suggested that
the rise in superyacht ownership over
the last decade, underpinned by the
changing nationality profiles of owners,
especially those based in Asia and the
Middle East, has encouraged individuals
and companies to look beyond these
typical destinations. Furthermore, the
geostrategic location of Abu Dhabi
coupled with its natural abundance of
pristine waterways and islands has
helped to raise its profile among these
new owners.
Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf,
with low winds and calm waters year-
Yas Marina, one of two full-service
marinas in Abu Dhabi.
round, along with moderate low season
temperatures, mean that vessels do
not need to be lifted from the water
and stored at great expense, thereby
increasing Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness.
The report also highlighted the emirate’s
extensive leisure, sport, cultural and
entertainment offerings, along with its
natural beauty.
One of the areas of significant
progress, according to the whitepaper,
lies in the development of the legal
and regulatory framework in support
of superyacht owners and crews,
many of whom are not full-time
residents in the country. The recent
launch of comprehensive and fullydigitised
safety maps of all waterways,
identifying anchorage areas, zones for
motorised and non-motorised craft,
and speed limits, is also cited as a key
improvement.
Abu Dhabi has, furthermore, made
significant progress in the development
of advanced maritime infrastructure and
related superyacht services and has a
number of refit yards. It is also home to
two full-service superyacht marinas that
can host yachts of all sizes and offer a
full suite of premier accommodation,
services and amenities.
First superyacht
repair and refit
centre in UAE
Al Seer Marine, MB92 and P&O
Marinas have agreed to jointly
develop the first dedicated
superyacht refit and repair facility
in the UAE. The yard will be located
in Dubai and is scheduled for
completion in 2026. Services will,
however, be available in 2023 to kick
off a strategic plan.
Hamza Mustafa, COO of P&O
Marinas, commented: “The UAE is the
ideal location to service the Gulf region’s
growing number of superyacht owners.
Dubai has developed its reputation over
the years as a top destination for luxury
yachting with the creation of several
high-end marinas. We already look
after some of the most exclusive and
advanced yachts at Mina Rashid Marina.
With the development of a new service
centre and refit shipyard, the UAE and
Dubai’s offering as a hub for yacht
owners will be even more attractive.”
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www.marinaworld.com – November/December 2022