• Moonlight II is so big it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour. The 91.4-metre vessel can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins along with 35 crew. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Moonlight II is so big it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour. The 91.4-metre vessel can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins along with 35 crew. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • According to manufacturer Princess Yachts, this 26.2m vessel is a “triumph of contemporary design”
    According to manufacturer Princess Yachts, this 26.2m vessel is a “triumph of contemporary design”
  • A bargain at just $4million, Cranchi Settantotto 78 boasts a sleek and elegant design
    A bargain at just $4million, Cranchi Settantotto 78 boasts a sleek and elegant design
  • With three double suites and a twin located below on the lower deck, the Riva 100 Corsaro can accommodate up to 10 guests with a base price tag of about $10m dollars
    With three double suites and a twin located below on the lower deck, the Riva 100 Corsaro can accommodate up to 10 guests with a base price tag of about $10m dollars
  • The SX88 can accommodate up to eight guests and her three engines give her a top speed of 23 knots
    The SX88 can accommodate up to eight guests and her three engines give her a top speed of 23 knots
  • UAE builder Gulf Craft's Majesty 120. Gulf Craft would not disclose a price but second-hand 120s can be found on the market for about 12m dollars
    UAE builder Gulf Craft's Majesty 120. Gulf Craft would not disclose a price but second-hand 120s can be found on the market for about 12m dollars

UAE

Dubai Boat Show: six of the most luxurious superyachts on display this year

See how the one per cent lives at Dubai Harbour's 'superyacht avenue'

The National

March 11, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

There is only one place to be this week — and that’s Dubai Boat Show’s “superyacht avenue”.

More than 50 floating mansions from leading manufacturers such as Princess, Gulf Craft, Cranchi and Sanlorenzo are berthed at Dubai Harbour for the show.

Here are six of the most luxurious superyachts at this year's show.

'Moonlight II'

Moonlight II is so big, it had to drop anchor outside Dubai Harbour — the new home of the boat show.

The 91.4-metre vessel can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins along with 35 crew and is equipped with a cinema, helipad, spa, beach club, lift, Jacuzzi, gym and a room for a number of jet skis.

The boat is not for sale, but is available for charter.

Boats of similar size sell for between $88.3 million and $99.3m.

Princess Yachts Y85

Manufacturer Princess Yachts said this 26.2-metre superyacht is a “triumph of contemporary design”.

It has attracted a lot of visitors at the show, with its interior garnering as much praise as the sleek exterior.

Three separate seating areas ensure privacy for guests, with the crew able to move discreetly around the yacht.

Twin engines propel the vessel to a top speed of 32 knots and it has a base price tag of $6.5m.

Cranchi Settantotto 78

This 25-metre yacht is billed by Italian yacht maker Cranchi as “excellence brought to life”.

The 18-person vessel has a private “beach club” with a large platform that can be transformed into a terrace overlooking the sea, with integrated speakers and ceiling lights.

The manufacturers have played up the soundproofing on board and the fact that the crew cabin is located between the engine room and the owner’s cabin, those on board can “fully appreciate the sound of the sea”.

The yacht has three six-cylinder Volvo Penta D13 engines that can reach a top speed of about 30 knots with a base price tag of a little under $4m.

  • The 'Moonlight ll' with the Ain Dubai in the background. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The 'Moonlight ll' with the Ain Dubai in the background. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jacuzzi on the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show held at Dubai Harbour.
    Jacuzzi on the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show held at Dubai Harbour.
  • Inside view of the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    Inside view of the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • View from the deck of the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    View from the deck of the 'Moonlight ll' yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • A cabin on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    A cabin on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • A sitting area on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    A sitting area on the Azimut 78 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • Inside view of the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    Inside view of the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • A sitting area on the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    A sitting area on the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • Artwork on display at the plastic ocean exhibition at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    Artwork on display at the plastic ocean exhibition at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • A dining area on the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    A dining area on the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
    Inside view of the Sanlorenzo SX88 yacht at the Dubai International Boat Show.
  • Yachts and boats on display at the Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai Harbour.
    Yachts and boats on display at the Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai Harbour.
  • A view from 'Moonlight ll', the biggest superyacht at the boat show.
    A view from 'Moonlight ll', the biggest superyacht at the boat show.
  • Visitors attend the boat show.
    Visitors attend the boat show.
  • Different types of schooners, skiffs and yachts, as well as marine equipment and experts, have been brought to Dubai Harbour for the event.
    Different types of schooners, skiffs and yachts, as well as marine equipment and experts, have been brought to Dubai Harbour for the event.
  • A sitting area on the deck of 'Moonlight ll'.
    A sitting area on the deck of 'Moonlight ll'.
  • This year's show features 800 brands and vessels from more than 54 countries, organisers say.
    This year's show features 800 brands and vessels from more than 54 countries, organisers say.
  • 'Moonlight II' is so large that it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour – the venue of the boat show.
    'Moonlight II' is so large that it dropped anchor outside Dubai Harbour – the venue of the boat show.
  • The 91.4-metre superyacht is designed for entertaining on an elite scale and can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins.
    The 91.4-metre superyacht is designed for entertaining on an elite scale and can carry 36 guests in 18 cabins.
  • 'Moonlight ll' has a cinema, helicopter pad, spa, beach club, lift, Jacuzzi, gym and room for a number of jet skis.
    'Moonlight ll' has a cinema, helicopter pad, spa, beach club, lift, Jacuzzi, gym and room for a number of jet skis.
  • Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of events management at Dubai World Trade Centre attends the boat show.
    Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of events management at Dubai World Trade Centre attends the boat show.
  • It costs as much as €644,000 to rent 'Moonlight II' for a week – and that does not include fuel or food.
    It costs as much as €644,000 to rent 'Moonlight II' for a week – and that does not include fuel or food.
  • Views from the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.
    Views from the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.
  • The upper deck of the 'Moonlight ll'.
    The upper deck of the 'Moonlight ll'.
  • The five-deck 'Moonlight II' is not for sale and is owned by an Emirati.
    The five-deck 'Moonlight II' is not for sale and is owned by an Emirati.
  • Arni Brzac, captain of the 'Moonlight ll'.
    Arni Brzac, captain of the 'Moonlight ll'.
  • Inside the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.
    Inside the BeachClub 660 Flybridge yacht.
  • The BeachClub 660 Flybridge is designed to balance indoor and outdoor space.
    The BeachClub 660 Flybridge is designed to balance indoor and outdoor space.
  • Boat engines on display at the show.
    Boat engines on display at the show.
  • This year's Dubai International Boat Show runs from March 9-13.
    This year's Dubai International Boat Show runs from March 9-13.

Riva 100 Corsaro

Yacht makers are known for their love of superlatives and the Italian brand Riva is no different.

The manufacturer says the 100 Corsaro’s “majestic proportions combine harmoniously with her sporty design … the interior is a masterpiece within a masterpiece”.

And the 29-metre yacht has been pulling in the crowds at the boat show with its striking design, clean lines and maximum cruising speed of 28 knots.

With three double suites and a twin located on the lower deck, the Riva 100 Corsaro can accommodate up to 10 guests and has a base price tag of about $10m.

Sanlorenzo SX88

The boat show is known for its firsts, and the 26.7-metre superyacht from the Italian shipbuilder Sanlorenzo is making its debut in the Arabian Gulf.

The SX88 can accommodate up to eight guests and its three engines gives it a top speed of 23 knots.

The yacht can carry 9,300 litres of fuel on board as well as 2,050 litres of water and costs $6m

Majesty 120

Older than Emaar and Nakheel, Gulf Craft is a well-known UAE boat maker celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Close to the entrance to the show is Majesty 120, a tri-deck superyacht.

It measures 37 metres long and is made with composite materials such as carbon fibre, constructed at the company's Umm Al Quwain shipyard.

The vessel has a sundeck 30 per cent larger than other yachts in her class, Gulf Craft said.

Gulf Craft would not disclose a price but second-hand 120s can be found on the market for about $12m.

Dubai Boat Show will continue at Dubai Harbour until Sunday and is open to the public. Tickets starts at Dh35 for adults. For more information, visit www.boatshowdubai.com

Inside Gulf Craft: the UAE's megayacht shipyard that is celebrating 40 years — in pictures

  • Gulf Craft's boatyard in Umm Al Quwain where hundreds of employees are working on a backlog of orders.
    Gulf Craft's boatyard in Umm Al Quwain where hundreds of employees are working on a backlog of orders.
  • Talal Nasralla, CEO of Gulf Craft, one of his yachts in Umm Al Quwain.
    Talal Nasralla, CEO of Gulf Craft, one of his yachts in Umm Al Quwain.
  • Gulf Craft's order books are full, with a build backlog up until mid-2022.
    Gulf Craft's order books are full, with a build backlog up until mid-2022.
  • A view inside Gulf Craft's boat yards in Umm Al Quwain.
    A view inside Gulf Craft's boat yards in Umm Al Quwain.
  • Nearly every element of each yacht is made in the UAE in Gulf Craft's boatyard, from the carbon fibre hull to the woodwork.
    Nearly every element of each yacht is made in the UAE in Gulf Craft's boatyard, from the carbon fibre hull to the woodwork.
  • Skilled carpenters create fixtures and fittings for the interior of one of Gulf Craft's luxury yachts.
    Skilled carpenters create fixtures and fittings for the interior of one of Gulf Craft's luxury yachts.
  • Work on the interiors of one of the Gulf Craft boats.
    Work on the interiors of one of the Gulf Craft boats.
  • The broad base of one of the larger yachts takes shape. Composite vessels have a shallow draft, making them ideal for beach access.
    The broad base of one of the larger yachts takes shape. Composite vessels have a shallow draft, making them ideal for beach access.
  • Green and red moulds inside the Gulf Craft boatyard in Umm Al Quwain.
    Green and red moulds inside the Gulf Craft boatyard in Umm Al Quwain.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Plastic tipping points
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers

Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka

While you're here
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk


Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)

Company%20profile
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Innotech Profile

Date started: 2013

Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari

Based: Muscat, Oman

Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies

Size: 15 full-time employees

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now. 

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Interview
Updated: March 11, 2022, 4:56 AM
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