Boats worth over Dh1bn to be on display at Dubai International Show

Sport360 staff 23:43 24/02/2015
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  • (L-R) Sultan Al Shaali, Dr Khalid Al Zahed and Ahmed Al Khaja.

    A number of new projects for the UAE will be unveiled at the 23rd Dubai International Boat Show from March 3-7, where vessels worth an estimated Dh1 billion will be on display for five days.

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    Vice chairman of Dubai International Marine Club Dr Khalid Al Zahed said: “This year’s show will reaffirm Dubai’s status as a leisure marine hub. As water-based lifestyle becomes increasingly popular in Dubai, we will see this sector continue to expand and grow in the future.”

    According to the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries, the total UAE maritime industry is worth more than $61 billion (Dh223bn), with 386 boats above 24m built in 2014, up eight per cent on 2013.

    Boosting Dubai’s position as a global maritime hub, Comar Yachts, which has produced more than 6,200 yachts to date, will relocate some of its production facilities from Italy to the UAE.

    Comar Yachts will also announce a major global launch at this year’s show, with the world premiere of its Comet Power Cat line of power catamarans.

    The UAE’s Gulf Craft is investing $100 million (Dh367mn) over the next five years to develop a state-of-the-art facility to build a shipyard for the manufacture of mega and super-yachts at Dubai Maritime City.

    And ART Marine, the Middle East’s largest 360-degree leisure yachting enterprise and one of the show’s largest annual exhibitors, is also consolidating its presence in the region with its Oman launch and reopening in Egypt.

    Another UAE-based luxury yacht manufacturer, Al Shaali Marine, will unveil its new $5.45m (Dh20bn) AS100 model super-yacht at the show, which it describes as the first of its kind designed and manufactured in the Middle East.

    “The UAE’s embrace of innovation and best-in-class technology, which has seen it develop in so many other areas, will help it to become the global market leader in the yachting industry,” said Sultan Al Shaali, CEO of Al Shaali Group.

    At the show itself, a range of crafts will be showcased including speed boats, jet skis, quad skis and other marine leisure products. On display will be pleasure craft from exhibitors such as Delma Marine, Macky Marine and Ocean Boats, as well as boats in the same range from Brodie Boats, Dar Al Tawasel Services, Mercan Yachts, Revolver Yachts and Rio Yachts.

    With over 800 companies and brands from 54 countries at this year’s show, tens of thousands of visitors from more than 120 countries are expected to attend.

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