All eyes on Dubai Harbour ahead of boat show
dubai — Dubai has reinforced its position as one of the world’s most dynamic leisure marine destinations with the recently announced Dubai Harbour, that will bring 1,400 new berths to Dubai and allow superyachts to berth with ease in the marina.
The new project will be one of several topics highlighted at the upcoming Dubai International Boat Show that is celebrating its 25-year milestone. The show is set to feature 450 boats and watercrafts at an estimated Dh1.5 billion in value. The show will also welcome 87 new companies, from over 60 countries around the world. Morocco, Latvia, Belgium, and Bulgaria will be bringing their exhibitors to the show for the first time this year.
The 2017 edition will also feature 38 global and regional launches, and will feature 19 superyachts including the 77-metre Silverfast by Silver Yachts, the 70-metre Joy by Feadship and the 47-metre Majesty 155 by local manufacturer Gulf Craft. “Dubai International Boat Show in its 25 years has grown in tandem with the Dubai leisure marine industry. With its coastline developments, warm weather and stunning environment, Dubai has become a world capital for the marine industry. Dubai International Boat show is and has always been an outstanding opportunity to highlight our achievements to the world,” said Saeed Hareb, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council, and senior advisor to the Dubai International Boat Show. Featuring a 1,400 berth marina, the largest in the Middle East, the new Dubai Harbour project will integrate the current Dubai International Marine Club, Skydive Dubai and Logo Island sites into a single community. Dubai itself has been booming in terms of contribution to the maritime sector, which grew at a rate of 25 per cent between 2011 and 2015. Latest industry figures predict that Dubai will outperform London, New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen and Rio de Janeiro as one of the world’s leading maritime capitals by 2020.
The enthusiasm for the purchase of yachts and boats in the region is apparent, with the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), whose members exhibiting at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show include Amels, Baglietto, Benetti, CRN, Feadship, Fincantieri, Heesen, Lürssen, Mondomarine and Oceanco, reporting the propensity of UHNWIs in the Mena region to buy superyachts above 40 meters built within the last 15 years at 20 per cent, the second highest in the world.
“Dubai is firmly established as the focal point of the leisure marine industry in a region which has obvious attractions for boat manufacturers and the full range of marine and water sports products and services. The Dubai International Boat Show has, year on year, driven sales in the region and thus pushed marine developments in Dubai,” said Mohammed Hareb, CEO of Dubai International Marine Club and member of the board.
— rohma@khaleejtimes.com