The Business of Middle East Superyachting

Author: The Maritime Observer

  • Saudi Arabia Announces Red Sea Yacht Show; Launches 2027

    Saudi Arabia Announces Red Sea Yacht Show; Launches 2027

    Coming to Jeddah Waterfront in 2027, Saudi Arabia have announced a superyacht event in the Red Sea, amidst the Kingdom’s push toward creating a winter cruising destination.  The Red Sea Yacht Show, at Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, will take place from October 14-17. Organizers are expecting the event to display 50 superyachts over 24…

  • D-Marin’s Marsa Al Arab Marina awarded three accreditations by TYHA

    D-Marin’s Marsa Al Arab Marina awarded three accreditations by TYHA

    D-Marin has announced a slew of accreditations attained by Marsa Al Arab Marina by The Yacht Harbour Association. After an independent audit, the marina has received TYHA’s 5 Gold Anchor, Clean Marina and Superyacht Ready distinctions.  “5 Gold Anchor,” TYHA’s highest honor, is awarded to marinas with the highest levels of excellence in terms of…

  • Iraq to set to launch 50-berth marina; country’s largest

    Iraq to set to launch 50-berth marina; country’s largest

    Iraq is nearing the launch of a new marina, which its government believes will help boost marine tourism and stimulate economic growth. The facility, located on the Shatt al-Arab waterway, will cater to 50 boats. It is the largest marina in Iraq. According to Director General of the state-owned General Company for Maritime Transport Ahmad…

  • Qatari Diar Egypt announces yacht marina for $30 billion waterfront development in Egypt’s North Coast

    Qatari Diar Egypt announces yacht marina for $30 billion waterfront development in Egypt’s North Coast

    Real estate developer Qatari Diar Egypt is playing a part in expanding marine tourism in Egypt’s North Coast.  In collaboration with architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the company has unveiled its master plan for Alan Al Roum, a development spanning over 20 million square meters along 7.2 kilometers of shoreline east of Marsa…

  • Abu Dhabi’s Aldar announces 350-berth Marina as part of $27 billion Marsa Al Saadiyat project

    Abu Dhabi’s Aldar announces 350-berth Marina as part of $27 billion Marsa Al Saadiyat project

    Master developer Aldar has launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, a $27 billion (Dh100 billion) waterfront development in Abu Dhabi. The project, spanning 6.4 million square meters, is set to feature Abu Dhabi’s largest marina. The property is expected to cater to 350 berths.  Meanwhile, a one-kilometer promenade, serving as the development’s main retail and dining area,…

  • Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority Increases Yacht Transit Surcharge to 26%

    Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority Increases Yacht Transit Surcharge to 26%

    The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced it is increasing the transit surcharge for yachts transiting the Canal to 26 percent, an increase of 12 percent above the normal rate.   Periodical 26/2026, which came into effect on July 15th, places yachts and pleasure crafts as “special floating units”. The base tariff, last revised in 2024,…

  • 2026 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards to take place in November; now open to submissions

    2026 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards to take place in November; now open to submissions

    The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards, a ceremony honoring marinas in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye regions, has confirmed its return for 2026.  The fourth edition of the event, taking place during the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show on November 19-22, is a joint effort by Integrated Transport Center (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate…

  • Qatar’s Transport Ministry announces suspension of all maritime activities as tensions reemerge 

    Qatar’s Transport Ministry announces suspension of all maritime activities as tensions reemerge 

    Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has suspended maritime activities amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, citing public safety.  RELATED: Old Doha Port Introduces Digital Platform For the Entry and Exit of Private Yachts “Minakom” “For public safety, owners and users of maritime vessels, including leisure boats, fishing boats, jet skis, and all other…

  • Egyptian Developer Tatweer Misr launches 65-berth yacht marina in Ras El Hekma

    Egyptian Developer Tatweer Misr launches 65-berth yacht marina in Ras El Hekma

    Tatweer Misr has launched SALT Marina, the developer’s second property in Ras El Hekma, Egypt’s smart city megaproject.  The 65-berth marina, representing $500 million (EGP 70 billion) in investment, has been developed to strengthen Egypt’s coastal tourism efforts. It is said to be the first interconnected coastal project by an Egyptian real estate developer. The…

  • CVC agrees to €1 billion sale of marina operator D-Marin to French private equity firm

    CVC agrees to €1 billion sale of marina operator D-Marin to French private equity firm

    One of the largest marina portfolios in the Middle East and Europe is changing hands after CVC Capital Partners has moved forward with the sale of D-Marin to French private equity firm InfraVia Capital Partners.  D-Marin operates 28 facilities in nine countries. Its customer base totals 50,000, with over 14,300 berths.  In its time under…