Two leading maritime entities, positioned as major economic drivers for Qatar and the UAE, respectively, Old Doha Port and Dubai Harbour, have signed an agreement to advance the Gulf’s maritime ecosystem.
Taking place during the Qatar Boat Show, hosted at Old Doha Port for the second edition, the signing ceremony marks a collaboration between two leading entities that aims to bridge the region’s maritime destinations.
LONG READ: How Old Doha Port Is Turning Qatar Into a Global Yachting Destination
Dubai Harbour is a seafront district that is home to the Emirates’ largest marina, with 700 berths for vessels up to 160 meters in length. The facility has played host to the Dubai International Boat Show for the past five years.
Meanwhile, Old Doha Port took to the boat show to establish an agreement with JLS Yachts, a superyacht agency operating in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, and has processed over 100 entry/exit permits and 85 boat registrations in the region alone.
These announcements trail behind a string of synergies by Old Doha Port. In July, the 90-berth marina partnered with Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Marina and Kiye Istanbul Marina in Turkey as part of its Marina Members Program. This initiative originally started with all of the local marinas in Qatar. These include Ronautica Middle East, Corinthia Yacht Club at The Pearl Island, and Al Mourjan Marinas in Lusail.
READ: Old Doha Port Partners with Regional Marinas in Turkey and Dubai
Earlier this year, Old Doha Port 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.
Pictured above: Wayne Shephard, Managing Director of Dubai Harbour, and Eng. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port