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 bin Faisal Al Thani, sees Feadship assuming an advisory role, which will provide expertise on enhancing maintenance, repair, and refit facilities, in addition to consulting on yacht design, marine infrastructure, and sector engagement.
At last year’s Qatar Boat Show, QFZ signed an agreement with maritime and logistics solutions company Qatar Navigation (Milaha) to construct the Milaha Yacht Yard, a new shipyard at Marsa Port. The facility will be located in the Umm Alhoul Free Zone, adjacent to Marsa Port. It will span 22,000 square meters, providing refits, modifications, repairs, and exterior upgrades for luxury yachts, naval ships, and wooden boats. The facility will feature multiple workshops, two covered sheds, and an open yard.
“Feadship welcomes the opportunity to explore this collaboration with QFZ. We recognize Qatar’s ambition to develop Marsa Port as a destination for the superyacht community and are pleased to contribute in an advisory capacity as part of this exploratory partnership. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to knowledge exchange and dialogue, ensuring that any future steps are aligned with the highest standards of our industry,” said Nederpelt.
“Qatar is becoming a global hub for the superyacht community, driven by world-class infrastructure and a market forecast to grow 7.4 percent annually through 2030. “With the highest ownership per capita in the region, our partnership with Feadship advances our ambition to make Marsa the Gulf’s leading superyacht destination – creating lasting value for investors, owners, and the maritime sector,” added Sheikh Mohammed.