Category: News

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…
Gulf Craft Group Reappoints Erwin Bamps as CEO

In a homecoming of some sorts, UAE shipyard Gulf Craft has announced the return of Erwin Bamps as Chief Executive Officer as the builder continues it’s growth in international superyacht markets. Bamps succeeds Yannis Haidis, who was named CEO in August 2024 after Gulf Craft entered a new organizational structure, establishing Gulf Craft Group, a…
Bahrain Announces New Regulations for the Entry and Exit of Foreign Flagged Yachts

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…
Bahrain Marina Project Enters Into An Agreement with United Marina Trading to Construct New Marina

One and a half years after construction commenced on the Bahrain Marina Project, Bahrain Marina Development Company has shared a significant update. The company has appointed United Marine Trading (UMT) to construct a new superyacht-dedicated marina. UMT, specialists in marina design, construction, and maintenance, will build floating docks that will accommodate up to 167 vessels…
French Government to Auction Off 41-Metre Seized Vessel

Two years after motoryacht Stefania was seized during a stopover in Northwestern Italy, the French authorities will be putting the vessel up for sale. The 41-metre boat was confiscated at the behest of the French government following a money laundering case involving a Belarusian national. Marseille’s prosecutor’s office states that the “criminal activities” of Belarusian…