United Arab Emirates

Romeo Interiors

Europe remains the centre of large superyacht construction, yet the United Arab Emirates is steadily expanding its own shipbuilding capability. Among the country’s emerging yacht builders is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a>, which launched the 54.43-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8279" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Hanem 254.43m (178'7&quot;)Romeo Marine LLC2026">Al Hanem 2</a> last month.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a>’s origins are linked to luxury interior manufacturer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Interiors (Company)">Romeo Interiors</a>, founded in 1983 by Egyptian brothers Nader and Samy Nashed. Over time, Nader Nashed expanded the family’s activities to include the construction of large superyachts in Dubai through the establishment of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/374225/image/large-2e59d877e70a53bab8140cf400b29372.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/374225">During the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2025">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, SuperYacht Times met Eugenio Voltolina, Operations and Project Management Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a>, to discuss the company’s evolution, the yard’s yacht building capacity and future plans.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375744/image/large-543353cb285de95f86f8af66814cd137.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375744">Expanding from interiors to yacht construction <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Interiors (Company)">Romeo Interiors</a> has been based in Dubai for more than five decades and is a key player in the interior manufacturing sector across the UAE and the wider Middle East, working on yachts, commercial real estate, and hospitality projects. Expanding into yacht construction and refit, Nader Nashed established <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a> in 2008 under the same ownership, operating as its sister company. As Voltolina explains, “Clients began approaching us for assistance with their yachts, and from there came the interest to move first into refit and later into full construction.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371571/image/large-9d8dc49a2aab4f1682834f0fd5b8b9c0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371571">While new construction has become a growing focus, the company continues to undertake refit work for large yachts based in the UAE. “We are doing refit projects at the moment on very large yachts that are resident in the UAE and need service and refit,” Voltolina notes. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a> recently launched the 54.43-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8279" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Hanem 254.43m (178'7&quot;)Romeo Marine LLC2026">Al Hanem 2</a>, featuring interiors by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4774" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pulina Exclusive Interiors (Company)">Pulina Exclusive Interiors</a> and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7367" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mask Architects (Company)">Mask Architects</a>. The shipyard also has a 60-metre superyacht currently under construction and plans to begin another 60-metre build in January 2026.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375750/image/large-53229cacd2b92c974f29a78b115226d9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375750">Yacht building capacity<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)"></a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a> operates several facilities within Dubai Maritime City. The largest and most recent site is dedicated to new-build yacht production. The shipyard has the capacity to accommodate yachts of up to 100-metres.Voltolina explains that the yard is configured to handle multiple projects simultaneously. “At the moment, we can build two 60-metre projects at once, with construction staggered by about six months,” he says. “A separate section of the yard is configured for larger yachts, and we have now started work on our new 60-metre project.”The remaining facilities within Maritime City are used for refit and other maritime activities. According to Voltolina, the company intends to broaden its operations within the maritime sector, focusing on yachts over 50-metres.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375748/image/large-a4fb152953c6aa736c1b0e0b83488bf7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375748">UAE’s growing role in superyacht constructionVoltolina observes that yacht construction in the United Arab Emirates is developing in parallel with the country’s broader growth in infrastructure and tourism. He notes that all seven emirates are investing heavily in construction and waterfront development, creating conditions that support the marine industry.Compared with Europe, the UAE offers several practical advantages for yacht builders. “It is now extremely easy to establish new facilities here because we have the support of the country,” Voltolina explains. “Building a shipyard in the UAE can be four or five times faster than in Europe.” He also points to the benefits of operating within Dubai Maritime City’s free zone, where businesses face fewer taxes and simplified administrative procedures.Voltolina adds that the local industry continues to strengthen its technical base through targeted training and the recruitment of skilled personnel. “It is challenging because we must compete with an extremely high-level market,” he says, “but there are many advantages that attract companies to invest and expand in the UAE.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375751/image/large-781b396a06b84e4bcfce9fd63beaa9c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375751">Looking aheadDiscussing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Marine LLC (Company)">Romeo Marine</a>’s future direction, Voltolina emphasises the shipyard’s ambition to move further into the large-yacht segment. “We are even looking at a special project like a new 70-metre because we want to go from 60 to 70-metres,” he remarks. “That is where we are aiming. Most yachts over 50-metres built for UAE owners have so far come from abroad.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375749/image/large-ff2c8b1d912d9fca39982dc696069c4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375749">Voltolina highlights the company’s focus on sustainability, revealing details about the 60-metre superyacht currently under construction. “It will be a fully hybrid vessel, incorporating the same level of technology found on top-class yachts,” he states. “We are working very hard to ensure it meets that standard.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367050/image/large-2f87e1fd131f659cbec6cf96d4a919b7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367050">Gulf Superyacht Summit 2025 As the Middle East’s maritime sector continues to flourish, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/gulf-superyacht-summit-2024" target="_blank">Gulf Superyacht Summit</a> will return in December to the region. The seventh edition of the two-day conference will take place on 4 and 5 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi and promises to draw on the experiences of the previous summits.The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/gulf-superyacht-summit-2024" target="_blank">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;Tickets are available <a href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/gulf-superyacht-summit-2025-tickets-1393764560319" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">here</a>You can find out more about yachting in the Gulf region by <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/market-reports/gulf-superyacht-report-2024-2025" target="_blank">downloading the full Gulf Superyacht Report 2024-2025 here</a>.

How Romeo Marine is expanding into 60-metre plus superyachts

SuperYacht Times speaks with Eugenio Voltolina of Romeo Marine about the yard’s evolution, yacht building capacity, and future expansion plans.