The Maritime Observer

On Wednesday, November 27th, British shipyard Sunseeker International pleaded guilty to three charges for the use of 11 imports of illegal Myanmar teak (with evidence of more) and breach of timber laws. This is recorded as the first prosecution under the UK Timber Regulation, which supplanted the EU Timber Regulation post-Brexit, making it a landmark UK Court Case. The installation of Burmese teak in luxury vessels has long been favored by the superyacht industry. Its favorable color, durability, densely grained properties, and resistance to water and rock are only some of the capabilities making old teak a viable option on superyacht decks for owners, despite its perilous environmental effects. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3WZEgQG

Saudi Red Sea Authority Grants Operator License to Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued an operator license to Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina in a move to boost marine tourism and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a yachting hub. Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina is the first international harbor to receive this license.  Read More: https://lnkd.in/edNYfMMF

UAE, Jordan & Turkey Marinas Receive Top Honours at Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards The Marinas edition of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards was held on November 23rd, recognizing achievements, initiatives, and leadership exhibited by marinas across The Middle East, North Africa, and the Türkiye (MENAT) region. The ceremony, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the winners during this year's Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. 120 submissions from marinas in eight countries were received. The event awarded marinas for efforts in several categories including Sustainability, Innovation, and Health and Safety. Find the full list of winners here - https://lnkd.in/eXm9ENGz D-Marin | The Selection of Premium Marinas Ayla Oasis Dubai Harbour

How Mohammed AlShaali took Gulf Craft from a local UAE boat manufacturer to a shipyard with international presence. _____________________________________________________ Last week, the founder and chairman of UAE-Based shipyard Gulf Craft (Gulf Craft Group) Mohammed AlShaali received a lifetime achievement award at the Boat Builder Awards in Amsterdam, recognized for his efforts in building Gulf Craft to the globally successful shipyard it is today. Mr. AlShaali’s contributions to The Middle East cannot be understated. In the same way Mr. AlShaali served as the UAE’s Ambassador to the US, Geneva and the United Nations, the shipyard’s founder has also acted as an emissary to The Middle East leisure marine and boat manufacturing industry to the flourishing sector it is today. How did he turn the unrealistic into a possibility? It all started with a vision. _____________________________________________________ Read the full feature - Feature: Mohammed AlShaali: A Progenitor of Middle East Boat Manufacturing here - https://lnkd.in/e42b7qWm

Feature: Mohammed AlShaali - A Progenitor of Middle East Boat Manufacturing Last week, the founder and chairman of UAE-Based shipyard Gulf Craft (Gulf Craft Group) Mohammed AlShaali received a lifetime achievement award at the Boat Builder Awards in Amsterdam, recognized for his efforts in building Gulf Craft to the globally successful shipyard it is today. Mr. AlShaali’s contributions to The Middle East cannot be understated. In the same way Mr. AlShaali served as the UAE’s Ambassador to the US, Geneva and the United Nations, the shipyard’s founder has also acted as an emissary to the The Middle East leisure marine and boat manufacturing industry to the flourishing sector it is today. How did he turn the unrealistic into a possibility? It all started with a vision. Read the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/e42b7qWm

The Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS) returns to Marina Hall at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi for its 2024 edition. The event, which runs from 21-24 November, is the largest marine event in Abu Dhabi, attracting over 34,000 visitors annually. ADIBS, introduced in 2018 and returns this year for its sixth iteration, has become an emblem of Abu Dhabi’s thriving superyacht scene. Here’s what you can expect at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show: Read the guide here: https://lnkd.in/e7iTnGRp

In July 2023, the IMO released its most recent Green House Gas (GHG) strategy. Focused on the shipping industry, the IMO aimed to peak emissions and reach net-zero by 2050, reduce annual GHG emissions by at least 30% come 2030 and at least 70% by 2040 (compared to 2008). Although superyachts are a small piece of the wider maritime sector, and in turn sit outside of many sustainability targets (including the IMO GHG strategy), this did not stop stakeholders of the industry from taking action. In 2024, several superyachts with propitious green technologies were introduced to the market. The transition from fossil fuels to alternative forms of fuel is starting to take shape. Many of these can bring a bevy of benefits to reducing carbon footprint and a hopeful future for a more sustainable industry. Despite the radical advancements made, it is important to remain cognizant of the downstream (or upstream) emissions and environmental impacts that these alternatives may still present. Hydrogen, for one, presents a number of challenges in the development of its infrastructure, particularly in liquid form. Hydrogen, along with Methanol, could also be a space and safety issue, chiefly if the goal is to upgrade a legacy vessel.  Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), another promising solution that could lower carbon emissions, has issues relating to its price and feedstock traceability that remain a consideration. Moreover, the cost of ownership should be taken into account when opting for an alternative source of fuel. Fuel cells, for example, can cost up to triple that of a diesel generator, per kWh. Life Cycle analysis should also be recognized, in order to ensure the emissions reduced are not being compensated elsewhere in the vessel. Whatever the choice of green fuel, the superyacht industry seems to be headed in the right direction in terms of following the shipping industry and testing out new technological innovations for decarbonization. To demonstrate this change, however, collecting emissions is imperative. Fortunately, several initiatives established to record data exist such as the Sea Index and Yacht Environmental Transparency Index [YETI]. There is no silver bullet, but a silver lining definitely exists. 

“Dubai Code for Ports” Launched by Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation In an effort to boost maritime capacity, The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has announced the launch of the ‘Dubai Code for Ports”. Explained as a first of it’s kind project, the code is a comprehensive technical guide to set benchmarks for the maritime infrastructure sector in the UAE and beyond. The guide includes a framework of technical specifications and requirements for the development and management of ports, marinas, and related maritime activities. Read more by clicking on the link below - https://lnkd.in/ez-bQfpw

Leadership changes at NEOM took place this week, principally with the appointment of a new acting Chief Executive Officer Aiman Al-Mudaifer. There is no word on if this affects any of the superyacht offerings planned by the megaproject amid reports stating that schemes are being “scaled back”. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePx_Dibc

Qatar’s Marsa Port to Open New Superyacht Facility Milaha and Qatar Free Zones Authority have agreed to construct The Milaha Yacht Yard, a new shipyard at Qatar’s Marsa Port. The facility will be located at Umm Alhoul Free Zone in Marsa Port and will span 22,000 square meters. To provide refits, modifications, repairs, and exterior upgrades for luxury yachts, naval ships, and wooden boats, the facility will find multiple workshops, two covered sheds, and an open yard. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNDyChBD