Gulf Craft Inc. launches Majesty Yachts family

This was announced by Mr. Mohammed Al Shaali, Chairman of Gulf Craft Inc. at a press conference held as part of the company's participation in the Dubai International Boat Show 2004. The conference was also attended by Mr. Mubarak Bin Fahad, Director General of the DWTC, Dr. Mohammed Hamdan and Mr. Erwin Bamps from Gulf Craft.

The launch of the new family of yachts from the Ajman-based company marks the commissioning of its new factory in Umm Al Quwain, the largest of its kind in the Middle East. The Majesty Yachts will be built at the state-of-the-art facility in Umm Al Quwain that is in tandem with the ISO 9001 company's philosophy of maintaining world-class quality on all fronts.

The new range of luxury yachts that comprise five models - Majesty 66, Majesty 75, Majesty 86, Majesty 118 and Majesty 125, are among of the world's best in terms of quality, design and comfort, said Mr. Al Shaali. Considered as a major endeavour in the history of the company that was established in 1982, the new additions are aimed at catering to the growing demand for luxury vessels in and beyond the Middle East region.

"It is our adherence to the best standards in the strictest possible manner that makes our products truly world class. With our highly qualified engineers and technicians, Gulf Craft Inc. is today a name to reckon with anywhere in the world," Mr Al Shaali said.

"With the UAE becoming the maritime hub, in terms of leisure sailing and shipping operations, we at Gulf Craft Inc. are sure of playing a vital role in projecting the country as a world-class manufacturer of luxury yachts," Mr Al Shaali said. On a major expansion drive, the company is set to go public in 2005.

The reliance on world-class quality has helped Gulf Craft Inc. to make much headway in markets in the US, Asia, Australia, Europe and other Gulf Co-operation Council countries. With 70 per cent of its products exported, a considerable chunk to the Western markets, Gulf Craft Inc. is truly a global player, Mr. Al Shaali said.

Manned by over 500 highly qualified professionals, Gulf Craft Inc. has a production capacity of over 200 boats per year. Besides the facilities in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, Gulf Craft Inc. runs a factory in Maldives. As announced earlier, the company's fourth production unit will come up at the proposed Dubai Maritime City. It further has a marine services centre in the Maldives.

Quality being a hallmark of the vessels built by Gulf Craft Inc. they command high resale value in the market. The application of high quality material and technology based on the highest international standards in luxury yacht building, Gulf Craft Inc. products are very innovative and unique, Mr. Al Shaali said.

Besides supporting factors like trade and technology, Mr Al Shaali pointed out that the new ports and marine facilities in the UAE have helped a great deal in widening the scope of the boats and yachts production business.

"Marine tourism is growing rapidly in the UAE as Gulf nationals and Europeans flock to enjoy the pleasant climate during the winter months," said DWTC Director General Mubarak bin Fahad. "At the same time Gulf nationals are not travelling as much to overseas destinations in Europe and the USA, which has resulted in a substantial upturn in local tourism and leisure activities of which boating plays a significant part," Mr. bin Fahad added.

"The plethora of new marina developments that are currently underway in Dubai in particular and the region as a whole has sparked off an influx of larger boats in the water, which has helped us in significantly expanding the size of our show this year with exhibitors to the Boat Show up by 70.45% over the 2003 edition," Mr. bin Fahad stated. "Gulf Craft has always been one of our major exhibitors and we are extremely glad that they are back with an even more significant presence this time," he added.

He noted that international participation at the show was up by 62.16% over 2003 with participating exhibitors coming from 21 countries compared to only nine last year (up by 133.33%). "Considerable growth has been achieved in the nett area sold for the exhibition, which has gone up from 2,608 sq.m. last year to 5,247 sq.m. this year (up by 101.19%) and the number of boats on display in-water from only 19 last year to 54 this year (up by 184.21%)," Mr. bin Fahad stressed.