United Arab Emirates

AD Ports Group

In early December, along the Abu Dhabi coastline, was the Yas Rendezvous: a four-day event, including a one-day yachting rally hosted by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a>. Yachts of varying sizes made their way from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a> to the Sir Bani Yas Island and back, sailing as a convoy for the ceremonial opening of the event. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384169/image/large-5f7d3a62c99aa232770570b22d491df5.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384169">The goal of this three-day, invitation-only event, hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is to promote the emirate as a yachting destination. From December 8 to 11, the event brought a select group of yacht owners, sailing enthusiasts, industry stakeholders and partners together for the first of what is set to be an annual event highlighting the cruising routes across Abu Dhabi’s coastline and islands.The event was organised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a> with the support of DCT Abu Dhabi. Their participation formed part of a coordinated approach to strengthening collaboration and connectivity across marine and yachting routes in the Gulf, with the aim of facilitating yacht cruising within the region.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384145/image/large-3618609b9c1154b547cdea39d349bd60.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384145">Following a ceremonial departure from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a>, several vessels travelled to Emirates Palace Marina for a welcome reception hosted on site, while others continued onward to Sir Bani Yas Island, including the 37-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11338" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Connected37.0m (121'5&quot;)Benetti SpA2025">Connected</a> and the 65.23-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/162" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Codecasa S.p.A. (Company)">Codecasa</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2215" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Joia the Crown Jewel65.23m (214'0&quot;)Codecasa S.p.A.2010">Joia The Crown Jewel</a>. The route passed through a section of Abu Dhabi’s wider archipelago, highlighting the scale and diversity of the emirate’s cruising grounds.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384165/image/large-b02e8f798e4ce49f24c250800d546396.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384165">The multi-day programme combined on-water cruising with curated onshore elements, including panel discussions featuring representatives from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6806" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JLS Yachts (Company)">JLS</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7759" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Sea Global (Company)">Red Sea Global</a> and Eden Marine, alongside destination-focused conversations and a gala dinner. Collectively, these activities were structured to encourage dialogue among participants and support longer-term engagement with the destination.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384167/image/large-73b3718ad93c26206e6ce7d054d9e935.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384167">From a destination development perspective, Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at the DCT Abu Dhabi, described the event as a “successful launch of Yas Rendezvous represents an important milestone in the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s marine leisure offering. By bringing together international yachting audiences in a setting that combines premium marina infrastructure with unique natural environments, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a destination for high-value marine tourism while supporting the objectives of Tourism Strategy 2030,” he said.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384168/image/large-cb589e482d6cade257968312a2c52afe.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384168">Jassim Albastaki, General Manager of Yas Asset Management, framed Yas Rendezvous as a longer-term platform rather than a standalone event. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a> Rendezvous marks the beginning of a new flagship experience at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yas Marina (Company)">Yas Marina</a>, bringing the global yachting community together. More than an event, it reflects our ambition to create journeys that go beyond berthing, where yachting, lifestyle, and destination discovery come together. It is a long-term movement that connects yachting routes across the Gulf and the Red Sea into one global destination vision, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role in the future of marine leisure.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384166/image/large-91e28aefbe4c553c3ae0aa98705f1950.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384166">The main goal of the Yas Rendezvous, in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi, is to continue to develop distinctive tourism experiences, which encourage repeat visitation and position Abu Dhabi as a year-round destination across both land and sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384164/image/large-2049f78b175367689c2203be69708afb.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384164">FABianaMARe, a sponsor of the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Rendezvous, commented: “The event provided insight into Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi as a cruising destination, while also creating opportunities for networking in an informal setting.”

Abu Dhabi hosts inaugural Yas Rendezvous

Abu Dhabi hosted the inaugural Yas Rendezvous a yachting initiative supporting efforts to develop the emirate as a yachting destination.

Abu Dhabi launches Yas Rendezvous as part of a push to develop yachting tourism

MAG Group Holding, a Dubai-based international real estate developer, has been appointed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a>, the Abu Dhabi-based trade, transport and logistics company, as the lead developer for the first phase of Marsa Zayed, a major waterfront resort and residential development on the Red Sea in Aqaba, Jordan.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/347280/image/large-574ef54f5a2dcbccf8d212a1938efbf1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/347280"> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a>, which owns the land designated for the project, also developed and operates the Aqaba Cruise Terminal. The terminal opened in January 2023 under a 2021 agreement with the Jordanian state-run Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC).Marsa Zayed is a landmark 320-hectare (3.2 million square-metre) development set to transform a stretch of Red Sea coastline into a dynamic tourism and business hub, serving as a southern gateway to Jordan’s key attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Backed by the UAE and Jordanian governments, the waterfront project aims to strengthen Aqaba’s position as a regional tourism centre and a key entry point for travellers to the Red Sea.MAG Holding will lead the development of Phase 1 of Marsa Zayed, a 1.2-kilometre stretch of Red Sea beachfront, while attracting investors to the project. The phase will feature Zayed Riviera, comprising four residential towers, a marina with approximately 1,260 residences and 117 retail units, a hotel and serviced apartments with a beach club, and a traditional Old Souq marketplace with 50 shops. It will also include the restoration of Aqaba’s iconic Minaret, a yacht club and marina and a visitors' centre.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/347283/image/large-22c1da521812deec2d3a2a46f3f3fd0e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/347283">Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah, Chairman and Founder of MAG Group Holding, commented: “We are excited to be part of what I consider to be one of the most exciting real estate development projects in the Red Sea region, one that not only will transform the economic potential of Jordan’s maritime resources, but lead to a vibrant coastal ecosystem that stimulates economic growth across this part of the Middle East. We deliver our award-winning services to local and international customers in such a way that they most importantly benefit our customers and the communities in which we operate.”At the project’s launch ceremony in Aqaba, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a> and MAG Group unveiled an international campaign to promote the first phase of Marsa Zayed, which is expected to become one of the Middle East’s most prominent tourist destinations.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/347282/image/large-c0879c9df881060401c490d06fb29761.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/347282">As part of its broader strategy to enhance maritime and tourism infrastructure in Aqaba, AD Ports Group signed a shareholders’ agreement in January 2024 between its digital subsidiary, Maqta Technologies, and the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) for their joint venture, Maqta Ayla. The partnership aims to modernise Aqaba’s port operations through a Port Community System (PCS) powered by Maqta Gateway’s expertise, marking the first export of Abu Dhabi’s port digitalisation solution.A key investor in the Red Sea region, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a> has secured long-term concessions to develop and operate cruise terminals at the ports of Safaga, Hurghada, Al Sokhna, and Sharm El-Sheikh. The group is also set to build and manage a multipurpose port in Safaga and a Ro-Ro terminal in Al Sokhna.Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a>, stated: “Today’s ceremony is a significant step in our strategic plan to support the Government of Jordan in developing Aqaba into a premier world-class destination for tourism and economic development. This first phase of Marsa Zayed will enable <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AD Ports Group (Company)">AD Ports Group</a> to deliver on our wise leadership’s vision to add economic value to this lively region. We are grateful for the support and assistance of our valued partner, ADC, and to our valued real estate development partner MAG Holding, for this collaborative effort to advance the growth of Aqaba.’’<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/347281/image/large-2f6fa138be80d9f8d83dc8fdc9eea286.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/347281">The&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/232" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2024">Gulf Superyacht Summit</a>&nbsp;2025As the Middle East’s maritime sector continues to grow, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/232" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2024">Gulf Superyacht Summit</a> will return in December to the region. Details surrounding the seventh edition of the two-day conference are yet to be announced, but promise to draw on the experiences of the previous summits.The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/232" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2024">Gulf Superyacht Summit</a> seeks to inform, assist and advise yachting clients and related interested parties, with the goal to develop the Gulf as a superyacht winter destination. &nbsp;If you are interested in sponsoring the event, reach out to the sales team now at sales@superyachttimes.com.You can find out more about yachting in the Gulf region by downloading the full Gulf Superyacht Report 2024-2025 <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/market-reports/gulf-superyacht-report-2024-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">here</a>.

MAG Group Holding to lead development for Marsa Zayed

MAG Group Holding has been appointed by AD Ports Group as the lead developer for the first phase of Marsa Zayed.