United Arab Emirates

Al Fajer Marine

While Europe and the United States continue to dominate global superyacht production, the United Arab Emirates is steadily building its presence in the sector, supported by a growing number of capable shipyards. Among them is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>, located in Dubai Maritime City. Known for its focus on performance and its ongoing exploration of innovative design solutions, the yard specialises in yachts of up to 28-metres, with a portfolio that includes sportfishing vessels, catamarans and monohulls.SuperYacht Times sat down with Flavio Gatti, Manager of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>, to explore how the yard has evolved since its inception, how it addresses ongoing labour challenges, his views on the future of yacht building in the UAE and what lies ahead for the company.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364299/image/large-d65713ce975b16bd872801b456a9ac8c.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364299">Origins of Al Fajer Marine&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> was established in 2006, born from the personal passion of a Sheikh from the ruling family, who had a deep love for the sea and sportfishing. His initial goal was to build a 13-metre centre console sport fishing boat. “We started very simply,” recalls Flavio Gatti. “At that time, we didn’t have access to advanced technology or international suppliers.” The company’s early operations were modest, taking place in a small facility within a larger industrial location.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364303/image/large-dc0b905396224164dca57d6467c4e879.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364303">“It was the Sheikh’s direct involvement and growing ambition that set the shipyard on a path of steady evolution,” Gatti adds. As demand from local clients increased for larger, higher-performance vessels suited to leisure fishing and coastal cruising, the company expanded into larger facilities and began producing more technically advanced yachts. These included multi-engine sportfishing boats and monohulls incorporating carbon-fibre construction and surface drive propulsion, reflecting the growing expectations of the domestic market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364302/image/large-d121d3624f4da0a211b6de1e6010efc3.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364302">Production capacity and model range<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> currently produces between seven and eight yachts per year, supported by a workforce of approximately 70 to 80 employees. While the yard does not operate at the scale of a large-volume yacht builder, it has steadily moved into larger and more technically demanding projects, including models of up to 28-metres.“We’ve reached a new level in terms of size and capability,” says Gatti. “From 18-metre monohulls to 28-metre performance yachts and catamarans, our range has expanded significantly.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364290/image/large-1b40ab59d71374079286c52dc4bab24d.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364290">All vessels are constructed using vacuum resin infusion technology, with elements of the superstructure fabricated in carbon fibre to reduce weight and increase structural integrity. “We are extremely focused on navigability and obsessive about detail,” Gatti adds. “At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a highly competitive price point.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>’s current portfolio includes the Bullet Series, a line of monohull yachts ranging from 14 to 18-metres, typically powered by multiple outboard engines. In some cases, these can include up to five Mercury engines, each with horsepower ratings of up to 600.The flagship 28-metre model, called the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15723" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer S-Class 9028.0m (91'10&quot;)Al Fajer Marine2025">S Class 90</a>, features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1746" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cyrille Bieri Designs (Company)">Cyrille Bieri Designs</a> is set to be delivered later this year. She is powered by triple 2,000-horsepower <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines with surface drive propulsion. “It’s a very high-performing boat,” Gatti explains. “We expect it to reach up to 45 knots.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364289/image/large-d70cf38b53274b4a360316ea3897c1b4.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364289">The yard also offers the Sunrise Series, a line of catamarans ranging from 10 to 24-metres, with one 24-metre unit already built. The 10 and 14-metre models are equipped with outboard engines, while the 18-metre version is available with either outboard or inboard propulsion. The 24-metre model is fitted exclusively with inboard power.When asked about <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>’s client base, Gatti explained that it remains largely regional. “Our clientele is predominantly domestic, mainly oriented towards the Middle East,” remarks Gatti.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364291/image/large-3f6b75d7eab74240db680b2c348ce127.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364291">Addressing labour challenges at&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>The shortage of skilled labour is a well-known challenge across the yacht building sector and it is particularly acute in the UAE. “Everyone in the yachting industry is struggling with skilled manpower,” says Gatti. “Yacht building is not easy, especially in the Gulf region. It requires patience, dedication and passion. And in this part of the world, the extreme summer heat only makes the work more demanding.”Gatti notes that recruiting skilled workers from Europe is not a viable solution. “Even if we offer competitive salaries, they do not come. And those who do usually leave when the summer arrives,” he explains. “The conditions are tough, especially for those working on fibreglass moulds in confined spaces.”To manage this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> has adopted a proactive and flexible staffing model. “We often operate with up to 20 percent more staff than strictly necessary. It may appear excessive, but it gives us the buffer we need to meet delivery deadlines and adapt to shifts in production,” Gatti says. “It also allows us to observe our team and identify who is best suited to each area of the build process, whether that is electrical, plumbing, fibreglass or mechanical work. We then encourage them to develop additional skills across departments.”This training-focused approach is part of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a>’s broader investment in people. “We know not everyone will stay with us forever. Some will look for better opportunities elsewhere and we respect that,” Gatti adds. “But if they leave with strong technical knowledge, they will be better prepared. Even in Europe, where it can be difficult for workers from India, Africa or Asia to find jobs, a high level of skill opens doors.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364294/image/large-9cba71e075416645775661ad7582f3b1.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364294">The UAE’s place in the global yacht industry and its future outlookWhile Europe, the United States and Australia continue to lead the global yacht manufacturing sector, Gatti believes the UAE is beginning to make a name for itself, albeit from a relatively young starting point.&nbsp;He acknowledges the gap in both experience and output. “Even now, if you compare a 30-metre yacht built in the UAE to one built in Europe, there is still a long way to go,” he says. “And the price reflects that. Sometimes we are 30 to 35 percent less, and there is a reason for it.”Even so, Gatti sees real momentum building in the region. “I’ve been working here for over 15 years, and I’ve seen how quickly companies can adapt once they decide to push forward. The pace of change over the past five years is equivalent to the previous two decades,” he says. “Just look at what the city has become in the last 20 years. That is not opinion; that is fact.”This emerging dynamism is also attracting attention from established international players. “We’ve already seen shipyards like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> move parts of their production to the UAE,” Gatti observes. “That tells you something about where this market is heading.”Commenting on the wider regional context, Gatti notes that while future conditions can never be guaranteed, the UAE remains one of the more stable and reliable places to operate. “This is a question to which the answer today could be contradicted by tomorrow’s events,” he says. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> works in a part of the world which, fortunately and without fear of disagreement, is considered a safe area. This safety is the result of ongoing business collaborations and high-level political mediation by the UAE.”He acknowledges, however, that challenges persist. “Being entirely free from problems is a utopia. A clear example is the delays in shipments caused by congested logistics traffic and uncertainty around import rates,” he reflects.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364291/image/large-3f6b75d7eab74240db680b2c348ce127.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364291">Future developments and plans&nbsp;When asked about what lies ahead, Gatti shares that he is currently comfortable with the size range <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> is building. “The Sheikh has expressed interest in constructing larger yachts, ” he says, “but that would require relocating to a different facility equipped to handle larger-scale production. ”&nbsp;Looking forward, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Fajer Marine (Company)">Al Fajer Marine</a> is also working to expand its international reach. “We are in close collaboration with three international dealers to cover the majority of the global market, ” Gatti adds. “We want to grow beyond the Middle East and take the brand to a broader audience. ”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364293/image/large-b2a5506423e0bc540ac491137d6925d3.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364293"> Gulf Superyacht Summit 2025SuperYacht Times is pleased to announce that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/280" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2025">Gulf Superyacht Summit 2025</a> will take place at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, in Abu Dhabi on 4 and 5 December 2025. Strategically timed around the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/280" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2025">GSS</a> will take place before the racing which is scheduled for 5 to 7 December.

Al Fajer Marine’s growth from a Sheikh’s personal project to a yacht builder

SYT sat down with the Manager of Al Fajer Marine, to explore how the yard has evolved since its inception, the future of yacht building in the UAE.
