Category: News

PCFC Brings All of Dubai’s Marinas Together In New Online Berth-Reservation Network

The Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has announced the soft launch of a new integrated online platform, allowing yacht owners to book marina berths across Dubai through mobile and computer. As reported by Gulf News, the rollout was introduced by Ahmad Saleh, PCFC Head of Demand and Relationship Management at the Gitex Global…
Pre-Owned Boat Show Returns to the UAE for 11th Edition

The Dubai Pre-Owned Boat Show is set to return for its eleventh edition. The event, which runs from October 31st to November 2nd, will take place at its home, Dubai Creek Marina, Park Hyatt. The marina accommodates 80 berths for vessels between 25 and 165ft. The show is organized by Viya Marina, a yacht service…
Marina Port Vell Barcelona signs agreement with Qatar Free Zones Authority to strengthen Marsa Port’s maritime offerings

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Marina Port Vell Barcelona to establish Qatar’s Marsa Maritime ecosystem as a destination for superyachting operations. The MoU, signed at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show between the CEO of Marina Port Vell Barcelona, Ignacio Erroz, and the CEO of QFZ, Sheikh Mohammed…
Feadship and Qatar Free Zones Sign MoU to Develop Marsa Port’s Superyacht Facility

Qatar Free Zones Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dutch builder Feadship to develop and advance Qatar’s Marsa Port prospects to build a superyacht destination in Umm Alhoul. The agreement, signed at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, between Feadship chief commercial officer Bas Nederpelt and QFZ chief executive officer Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad…
Dubai Records 149% Increase in Yacht Arrivals for H1 2025

The Dubai Maritime Authority shared new insights on yacht traffic in the Emirate for the first half of the year. According to the DMA, yacht arrivals saw a 149% increase, recording 97 foreign-flagged vessels between January and June 2025, compared to 39 boats in the same period last year. This underscores the rise of the…
Azimut|Benetti Group Financial Projection Shows Growth of Middle East Region

Azimut|Benetti Group has announced its fiscal projections for the 2024/25 nautical season, forecasting €1.5 billion in revenue, a 15 per cent increase from the previous season. According to the report shared by the Italian company, the group has secured €2.5 billion in orders since January 2025, which is expected to sustain production through 2029. The…
Dubai Maritime Authority Promotes Yacht Tourism with the Launch of the “Dock and Dine” Scheme

The Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy (DET), have launched “Dock and Dine,” an initiative that allows yacht owners, captains and crew members to gain access to services from 20 of Dubai’s marinas. Want to stay up to date with the latest news of the Middle East superyacht market?…
Oman’s Al Khuwair Project Starts Bidding Process for Marina Design & Construction

Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has started the bidding process for the design and construction contract of the Al Khuwair project marina. Want to receive the latest news of the Middle East superyacht market? Sign up for the Maritime Observer newsletter and receive complementary emails straight to your inbox. Tender documents, made available…
Heesen Yachts Names Jeroen van der Meer as New CEO

Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts has announced the appointment of Jeroen van der Meer as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment, which will be effectuated in September 2025, comes as the latest change in the company following it’s acquisition by entrepreneur Laurens Last in April 2025. Want to receive the latest news of the Middle East superyacht…
Oman’s Khor Grama Project Taps Firm to Design 75-Berth Yacht Marina

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in Oman has appointed multi-disciplinary consulting firm Meridian Engineering Consultancy (MEC) to design and supervise the construction of a superyacht marina for the Khor Grama development project. The firm will conduct a study and provide designs for a marina, situated 22 kilometres east of Sur in Ash…