With plans to establish the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global superyacht hub, the next step would be to modernize the regulations to facilitate the smooth entry and exit of superyachts. Edict (9) of 2025, announced by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, outlines several key developments that ensure maritime safety and security and promote superyacht tourism, including pre-arrival procedures, operating requirements for the duration of the vessels stay, and compliance witht the relevant laws and regulations.
The guide, issued in accordance with the Ministry of Interior, requires foreign-flagged leisure vessels to obtain a navigation permit from the Ministry’s Ports and Maritime Affairs Directorate prior to cruising Bahraini waters, obviating the need to work with a local shipping agent.
The permit, which is fully renewable, remains valid for a one-year period and allows the vessel entry to any of Bahrain’s marinas and ports listed in the permit. After the captain contacts and supplies the Maritime Control Office with the yacht’s details, and upon arrival in Bahraini territorial waters, the yacht must go to one of the five designated official maritime entry points. These include leisure marinas.
In recent years, Bahrain has committed to investing in infrastructure and the construction of projects to accommodate superyachts and position the Kingdom as a superyacht destination. Bahrain Marina Project, a waterfront development in construction, recently announced a new superyacht-dedicated marina. Bahrain Marina Development Company has appointed United Marine Trading (UMT) to build floating docks that will accommodate up to 167 vessels with a maximum length of 50 meters. In addition, the marina will include ancillary yachting amenities such as dedicated jet-ski parking spaces and a fuel station. The new marina marks one of the three developments planned by the Kingdom in an effort to address the surging demand for berths. Bahrain currently offers two superyacht marinas, accommodating vessels between 24 and 76 meters in length.