The United Arab Emirates (UAE) produces about 600 to 700 cruise boats annually, while the rest of the Gulf countries combined produce about 500 to 600 per year, according to a recent estimation by the Ajman-based Gulf Craft company. The UAE exports about 30 to 40 boats to the US and Europe every year, while the rest is exported to emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Australia.
“Gulf Craft has successfully targeted the growing regional markets in addition to developing an extensive clientele on the international scene and we have about 16 percent of the Gulf’s total market share,” stated Ziad Abu Jaoudi, marketing manager of Gulf Craft. “We at Gulf Craft manage to export more than 70 per cent of our annual production.”
“The growing market for luxury boats and yachts in the region means that more and more Gulf-based nationals are on the look out for vessels that offer them a distinctive Arabian ambience in addition to international standards of design, power, speed, luxury and safety,” said Mohammed Al-Shaali, chairman of Gulf Craft and the Arab Marine Industry Association.
Gulf Craft, a UAE-based builder of yachts and boats, recently announced the launch of a new luxury yacht, the Gulf 85. The 85-foot yacht has been specially designed to meet the tastes and requirements of clients from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Gulf 85 was designed to combine hi-tech power and safety features and the luxurious interiors of a traditional Arab home. It contains a majlis that will allow owners to host a large number of guests, in addition to living quarters that are characteristically Arabic.
Offered both as a private yacht and a chartered vessel, the yacht has been designed to deliver a speed of 24 knots with standard power (twin 900 horse power) or 30 knots with optional power (twin 1370 horse power).
Gulf Craft also revealed that the company is in the process of launching another vessel in the Majesty 86 series. Designed by Yankee Delta Studio of Monza, Italy and engineered by Gulf Craft’s technical team, the new Majesty 86 has been built for a GCC national.
In addition, the company has recently sold another yacht in the Millennium 118 series to a US company. Designed by naval architect Frank Mulder, the Millennium 118 was launched in August last year. Gulf Craft is set complete and deliver several boats to international buyers in Russia, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Kazhakastan and Lebanon. The company now targets new markets particularly in the CIS (former Soviet Union) countries.
Gulf Craft Inc. set up a manufacturing unit in 1982 with a small production facility for 15 and 19-foot boats. Now with over 250 staff, the production capacity is more than 200 boats per year. Today, Gulf Craft markets its boats and yachts to 40 countries worldwide, through dealers in 30 international locations. The Ajman-based company also has a manufacturing unit and marine service center in the Maldives, which is the first Arab investment of its kind in the Asian Marine industry. Gulf Craft is also constructing a 30 million Emirati dirhams (Eight million dollar) facility in Umm Al-Quwain, dedicated to the production of super yachts.
The Gulf 85 will be on display at the VIP Boat Show, which will be held at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, alongside the Middle East International Boat Show (MEIBS) to be held in Dubai from March 20 to 23, 2002 at Airport Expo Dubai. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
