Abu Dhabi Mar, one of the leading shipbuilders in the Arabian Gulf region, has acquired significant boat building capacities in Europe in recent years.
Among them is the German yard Nobiskrug, based in the northern town of Rendsburg, which makes naval and commercial vessels as well as yachts.
Nobiskrug, acquired in 2009, has more than 100 years of shipbuilding experience and a workforce of 420, and won one of Boat International magazine's 2013 World Superyacht Awards for Mogambo as "Best Motor Yacht" in the category of 1300 GT (gross tonnage) and above. In 2011, the group acquired the German shipyard HDW Gaarden, formally part of the Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft group, and renamed it Abu Dhabi MAR Kiel.
Abu Dhabi Mar also owns France's Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie - a French shipyard founded in 1945 and located at Cherbourg, which employs some 400 workers and builds luxury yachts and navy ships.
Greece's biggest boat builder, Hellenic Shipyards, is a further subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Mar and specialises in naval ships and repairs.
In 2011, ADMShipyards launched Yas, a 141-metre superyacht, in Abu Dhabi. It is currently the eighth-biggest superyacht in the world and can carry up to 60 guests in regal comfort. It has a top speed of 26 knots and "green" fuel economy. It was built on the steel hull of a former Dutch navy frigate constructed in 1978.
Abu Dhabi Mar group has delivered more than 1,600 vessels and employs more than 2,500 people. The UAE's growing influence in shipping will be on display at Gulf Maritime 2013, a show for the commercial and military maritime industry, taking place at the Expo Centre Sharjah from November 25 to 27.
"The maritime industry is propelling the local economy to greater heights ... the sustained growth of the sector has helped the country in improving its competitiveness and standing," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, the director-general of Expo Centre Sharjah.
If a brand new superyacht is just a bit out of reach, 100 metre-plus vessels can be chartered.
One such, 117-metre Turama, was converted into the luxury beauty she is today in 2004. The vessel sleeps 70 and boasts a professional, five-star crew of 60.
It's yours for a mere €630,000 (Dh3 million).
Per week.
[ business@thenational.ae ]
