United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB)

An arid landscape wrought with culture and bejeweled by charm awaits those who pen the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) into their calendars for their next superyacht excursion. The area is just as diverse when it comes to marine life as it is in activities and getaways. It’s also a culinary dream with rich and deep fragrances pouring out from the bustling bazaars and exclusive dining spots dotted around the surrounding Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that cling to the western banks of the Gulf. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210815/image/large-1b74cdda71ef0cb108cca1905db82ffa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210815">The Persian Gulf is perhaps not a first thought when planning your next superyacht excursion; however, it’s rich heritage, diverse marine life and mirage inducing climate, mark it as a region that shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. It also has the added advantage that its good weather period coincides with the winter season in the Mediterranean, so veteran charterers can enjoy the splendor of the Persian Gulf without having to sacrifice their Spritz in the Italian sun.Craftspeople of the sea: A long standing relationship with surrounding waters&nbsp;The area is steeped in antiquity and its relationship with the sea dates just as far back, with maritime trade spanning more than four millenia. This heritage hasn’t been forestalled and through the ages the GCC have nurtured and developed their relationship with the surrounding Gulfs. Today, the maritime sector remains the GCC’s chief industry and, as Captain Al Mheiri confirmed, holds <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/captain-al-mheiri-of-abu-dhabi-maritime-on-superyacht-presence" target="_blank">90 percent of all trade in Abu Dhabi</a>, one of the area's main hubs.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/209631/image/large-062082179b2be4de100888c734fb22db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/209631">When it comes to the pleasure sector, the area is making strides in becoming not only a leading destination, but also a leading manufacturer and designer of superyachts. The UAE in particular is driving this trend and is committed to becoming a world leader in 30 metre and above new-builds with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) (Company)">Abu Dhabi Ship Building</a> turning its head to the category, and many others likely to follow suit. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/121684/image/large-99e78f72a977191432c1b7daa3c409e3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/121684">As it stands, Abu Dhabi ranks eighth in the world for 30 metre and above new-build deliveries, as revealed by <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/market-reports/syt-market-report-2021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">The State of Yachting 2021</a> from <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachting-intelligence" target="_blank">SYT iQ</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Craft (Company)">Gulf Craft</a>, of course, is propelling this trend and is likely to accelerate UAE’s positioning from the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/gulf-craft-records-spike-in-sales" target="_blank">42 percent upsurge in sales</a> that it reported earlier this year.Unmissable events &amp; activities&nbsp;The western shores of the Persian Gulf are a melting pot of six cultural hotspots: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Each region adds a distinctive twist to the Middle East, and boasts a unique experience for travellers to the region. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210812/image/large-171e8ecda634b4381ae046191ff42433.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210812">Abu Dhabi hosts some spectacular events that draw in crowds from all over the world. The biggest being the Abu Dhabi F1 Festival which takes place annually late November/early December. Another event worth pencilling into diaries is the Dubai International Boat Show which is growing in popularity as it showcases some of the best superyachts and offers something for everyone with its diverse bill of exhibitors. The event takes place in March, every year. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210811/image/large-55e676f45aa1f469f2ffe4b7c6f0a084.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210811">For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of events and shows, the GCC is home to one of the world’s most idyllic, albeit barren locations: the Arabian Desert.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210816/image/large-3653e9cee7c89a25f561fd970eb230b9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210816">Saddle up a camel or a horse and add your trail to the whispers footsteps of the Bedouin, whose trails have long since blown over in this ever-changing landscape. For those with a thick adrenaline streak, there are buckets of tours in sand buggies, 4X4s and off-road bikes to test your mettle. These excursions can be arranged from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.Persian Gulf: Diverse in marine life&nbsp;The Persian Gulf is 97,000 square-miles of playground and is home to over 700 species of fish, &nbsp;making it a paradise for snorkelers. Those that want to go deeper and want to don their scuba gear will get the chance to visit some outstanding wrecks and reefs, and may be joined by barracudas and eagle rays. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210814/image/large-2f97f065978c36e73e041f8b3df36273.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210814">Mammal spotting is also a must in the Persian Gulf, as in the warm waters you often spot dancing dolphins and finless porpoises, and occasionally a humpback whale or orca crosses your path. The most unusual sea mammal to be found is real sea oddity: the dugong &nbsp;– the cow of the sea.Future developments &amp; conservation commitmentsWith Saudi Arabia investing so much of its shoreline to the Persian Gulf, its initiatives toward conservation and bolstering tourism to the area are not to be missed. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has pledged to bring $1.07 trillion to the country through a multitude of industries, one being maritime.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210434/image/large-97cf76d98d7ff77438e8256bc4785fa6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210434">One major project that PIF has instigated is <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/the-rig-set-to-boost-tourism-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank">the RIG, an adrenaline-fuelled offshore adventure park</a>. PIF has confirmed that it will concentrate great effort on conservation in order to ensure that the jewel – aka the Persian Gulf – remains untarnished. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210439/image/large-e6fda89fbb85b10037a1eca6636b6836.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210439">So not only is the Persian Gulf a dreamy destination for explorers of every order, it is an area infused with years of maritime expertise that secures its place on the podium for yacht build and design, both today and in the future.The neighbouring Red Sea is a space to watchThe Red Sea is another body of water being spearheaded to become a leading superyacht destination. Speaking with Richard Haws, Marine Director of the Red Sea Development Company, brought to light an expansive roadmap being laid down for the area so that yacht tourism can be well catered for.&nbsp;There are a collection of marinas being expanded to include mooring buoys for up to 150-metre vessels, a diverse collection of hospitality destinations that are promised to rival the RIG in creativity and a commitment to holistic conservation that not only nurtures the sea, but which also enriches the local communities.&nbsp;Keep your eye on this space, it's going to be big.

Travel spotlight: Persian Gulf

An arid landscape wrought with culture and bejeweled by charm awaits those who choose the Persian Gulf for their next superyacht excursion. 

Travel spotlight: Unexpected treasures await those who peruse the Persian Gulf

SuperYacht Times’ founder Merijn de Waard caught up with Captain Al Mheiri of Abu Dhabi Maritime at the <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">Monaco Yacht Show 2021</a>, to discuss the capital city’s maritime history, its relationship to the superyacht industry, and initiatives it has undertaken to expand the presence of superyachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/209632/image/large-d76180302c523fc24754864f20a23eed.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/209632">There are several companies from Abu Dhabi here in Monaco. How important is the maritime and yachting industry for Abu Dhabi?It is very important. We have a very historic connection to the sea, with records of trade and artefacts dating back to 2600 BC. Pearl diving was an industry in the region in the United Arab Emirates for the past 2,000 years, with documentation indicating it existed under the period of Alexander the Great.In modern times, the maritime industry still consists of over 90% of the country’s trade, stemming from the export and import of goods. The yachting industry is something we are very proud of. We are taking lots of initiatives focused on yachting, from ensuring the proper infrastructure, facilities, fuel stations, and maintenance and refit facilities are available. We are also undertaking the creation of destinations. Abu Dhabi is home to over 216 islands, with a majority of them being inaccessible. We are working closely with our colleagues in the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi to develop them in tandem with the requirements and the needs of the superyacht industry.That is all very exciting, as is the&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/53778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Nautilus 45 to be built by ADSB and SNO Yachts (2021-09-27 10:15:00 +0200)">45-metre project</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) (Company)">Abu Dhabi Ship Building</a>&nbsp;has announced. How important is it that Abu Dhabi starts building vessels locally?Having a yacht building industry in Abu Dhabi is something we aspire for. There are a number of shipbuilders right now in Abu Dhabi, but they are focused on smaller boats, some of which are relatively medium size yachts. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) (Company)">Abu Dhabi Ship Building</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/53778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Nautilus 45 to be built by ADSB and SNO Yachts (2021-09-27 10:15:00 +0200)">is embarking on building this shadow boat</a>, which I think is an excellent move towards reaching the superyacht industry. We are very proud of their achievements.<ul><li><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/53778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Nautilus 45 to be built by ADSB and SNO Yachts (2021-09-27 10:15:00 +0200)">Superyacht Nautilus 45 to be built by ADSB and SNO Yachts</a></li></ul><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207320/image/large-94fdcfa8b6b68f2467c4566a031f0b18.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207320">How do you see Abu Dhabi developing as a yachting destination in the next five years?This is our focus right now. We have a massive plan to make sure that Abu Dhabi is positioned in the top five maritime global cities. Our initiative is multi-faceted, relating to aspects such as meeting regulations and international requirements, while also focusing on ensuring the availability of facilities that are required by the industry, and more specifically, to the superyacht industry, such as the number of berths and available marina space. Ensuring the proper infrastructure is a crucial aspect of this.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/115385/image/large-991f9a089a4886e341cba80409a98f5a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/115385">From the destination side, we are working to ensure that we are activating Abu Dhabi’s maritime sector for the industry. We’ve announced a partnership with the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi. We are activating the maritime to accommodate superyachts while ensuring the protection of marine areas. These protected areas have lots of restrictions and we managed to install mooring buoys to ensure the preservation of the seabed, while still allowing guests to ensure snorkelling, diving and more. For very large superyachts, though they cannot make use of the designated mooring buoys, we have dedicated certain areas close to the protected spaces to make sure it is also accessible to them.How important is Formula One as an event to attract yachts to the area?Superyachts and Formula One go quite well together. Because of Formula One’s esteem, having a major event such as a Gran Prix helps to attract superyacht owners. The event, which will take place at the beginning of December – when the weather in Abu Dhabi is absolutely marvellous – makes Abu Dhabi an enticing destination.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/209631/image/large-062082179b2be4de100888c734fb22db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/209631">Are there plans to develop more marinas in the area?We are delivering new marinas every year. These are typically marinas, which accommodate smaller yachts. But we plan to identify more locations for marinas that can accommodate superyachts. This is our current focus.

Captain Al Mheiri of Abu Dhabi Maritime discusses how it plans to expand the presence of superyachts

Captain Al Mheiri of Abu Dhabi Maritime explains how it plans to expand the presence of superyachts in the UAE’s capital city.

Industry insight: Captain Al Mheiri on how Abu Dhabi plans to become the next superyacht hub

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (Company)">Abu Dhabi Ship Building</a> (ADSB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SNO Yachts (Company)">SNO Yachts</a>, for the construction of Nautilus 45. The yacht will be a superyacht shadow and explorer vessel, built for one of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SNO Yachts (Company)">SNO</a>'s existing clients. The platform will be built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (Company)">ADSB</a> in the UAE, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SNO Yachts (Company)">SNO Yachts</a> will complete the final outfitting in Italy. David Massey, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (Company)">ADSB</a>, and Andrea Pirro, Chairman of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SNO Yachts (Company)">SNO Yachts</a>, signed the strategic deal at the Abu Dhabi pavilion during the <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">Monaco Yacht Show 2021</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207320/image/large-94fdcfa8b6b68f2467c4566a031f0b18.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207320">The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Maritime welcomed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (Company)">ADSB</a> to participate at the Abu Dhabi ‘Parvis Piscine’ stand at the yacht show. The aim was to promote the UAE’s capital as a leading tourism destination with world-class facilities for superyachts, events, natural islands to visit, and exceptional routes connecting the east and west. Throughout the 4-day event, the Abu Dhabi team highlighted the latest products and services to key players in the industry through an interactive exhibit.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207319/image/large-085f5213c68faaf297b449e6cc14aa26.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207319"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207317/image/large-fa11b030670c19799913463bde269474.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207317">Speaking on the occasion, David Massey said: "We are very grateful to attend the world’s most prestigious superyacht event, <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">Monaco Yacht Show 2021</a>, to promote Abu Dhabi as a leading superyacht destination that welcomes yacht owners and mariners alike. With the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism and Abu Dhabi Maritime, we are delighted to announce our partnership with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SNO Yachts (Company)">SNO Yachts</a> to build a state-of-the-art superyacht shadow vessel. Collaborating with industry-leading companies enables ADSB to anticipate and address evolving market demand. We look forward to a mutually beneficial and enduring partnership."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207321/image/large-5ebe0588ef45d4cbb08ee7ed7d9251bb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207321">Andrea Pirro, said: "We are proud to have participated at <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">MYS 2021</a>, which brought together yacht industry leaders from all around the world. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2437" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (Company)">ADSB</a> boasts a long track record of success in building cutting-edge vessels and boats to meet varying requirements. We have the utmost confidence in our partners in Abu Dhabi and believe this synergy will set the tone in ensuring greater interoperability among our entities in the future."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/207088/image/large-7d504510a43f4684951d30036c89454e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/207088">

Superyacht Nautilus 45 to be built by ADSB and SNO Yachts

Abu Dhabi Ship Building and SNO Yachts have signed an agreement for superyacht Nautilus 45.