Category: News

Gulf Craft to Offer Cryptocurrency Payment Solutions for Boat Purchases

UAE builder Gulf Craft has announced that it will start accepting fully-regulated crypto-payments for boat purchases, services, and refit works. To facilitate smoother transactions to international buyers, the shipyard is partnering with ARIP Pay, a Bahraini licensed fintech provider, a service that converts stablecoins such as ASDC or USDT into AED or other traditional currencies. …
Wynn Al Marjan Island Marina to be Operated by IGY Marinas

Wynn Resorts has tapped global marina network IGY Marinas to be the marina operator for the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island facility. The property, located in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, plans to feature a 101-berth superyacht marina that welcomes vessels up to 85 meters in length. The MarineMax subsidiary will assume a number of roles,…
Old Doha Port Partners with Regional Marinas in Turkey and Dubai

Qatar’s Old Doha Port announced agreements with Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Marina and Turkiye’s Kiyi Istanbul Marina as part of its marina members program. The new partnership aims to provide expanded privileges to the marina members and visitors, where owners can present their membership cards to the partner marinas to access advanced booking on complimentary…
2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards Announced, Seven Marina Categories Added

Abu Dhabi Maritime, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has announced the return of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards to take place on 20 November 2025, at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, with new additions to the categories for both project and individual-based achievements. Hosted in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre, part of…
Yacht-Manufacturing Training Facility Opened at Gulf Craft’s Shipyard

UAE-based shipyard Gulf Craft has announced the opening of a new purpose-built yacht manufacturing training centre at its Umm Al Quwain shipyard. New recruits and existing staff members will receive over 3000 hours of training annually, learning the ropes on all of Gulf Craft’s brands: Majesty, Nomad, Oryx, and SilverCat. RELATED: Mohammed AlShaali – A…
Oman’s Al Mouj Marina to Receive Upgrades

The Omani Waterfront Community Al Mouj Muscat will be expanding the development after a $160m loan was secured this week, according to Arabian Gulf Business Insight. The mixed-use development, part-owned by Tanmia and by the state-owned tourism operator Omran, which owns 40 percent, will use the funding to increase properties to 10,000 units, and enlarge…
Bahrain Marina Project Reaches 50 Percent Completion

Bahrain Marina, the flagship waterfront development by Bahrain Marina Development Company, has reached a new construction milestone. The developer announced that phase one of the project has now achieved a 50 percent completion rate, keeping the development on track for the handover to take place in the final quarter of 2026. Maritime Observer Newsletter: Can…
Old Doha Port Introduces Digital Platform For the Entry and Exit of Private Yachts “Minakom”

Old Doha Port has launched Minakom, a digital customs and passport portal created to facilitate the smooth entry of foreign-flagged superyachts into Qatar without the need to disembark ashore. The platform allows cruisers to sort out logistical needs, from passport control to customer clearance and other maritime services. Minakom, created for private and non-cruise vessels,…
Foreign Commercial Yachts Now Permitted to Cruise Egyptian Waters Restriction-Free

In a significant development to Egypt’s superyacht tourism plans, foreign-flagged, commercially registered yachts are now permitted to cruise Egyptian waters restriction-free. The new edict, enforceable from May 2025 onwards, stipulates that the vessel’s maritime agent must supply local authorities with a confirmation, ensuring that no commercial activities will take place in Egyptian territorial waters for…
Saudi Red Sea Authority Grants New Marina Licenses to Three Operators

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued new licences to three marina operators in an effort to boost tourism in the Red Sea. The three operators to receive licenses are Aljar Marina tourism company (Yanbu), Al Ahlam Marine Tourism in Albuhairat city (Jeddah), and Pearl Marina Chartering Company (Jeddah). The grant of the licenses mentioned…