The four-day event in Old Doha Port welcomed over 90 yachts when it opened on November 6.
Old Doha Port in Qatar is the venue for the new Qatar Boat Show which welcomed over 90 yachts and boats this week as the first edition of the Qatar Boat Show took off to a resounding start. It runs from November 6-9.
Collective feedback from industry visitors to IBI’s Middle East Correspondent is positive. “Old Doha Port and Gulf Marine Services, as joint organisers, both contributed to the successful launch of the first edition of the Qatar Boat Show, which was very well attended by senior officials and high-ranking dignitaries including the Qatar royal family, government ministers, and yachting enthusiasts. Old Doha Port’s strategic location and ambitious vision makes it an ideal destination for yachts and the venue for major events for many years to come.”
The two-day public holiday this week also gave the general audience the opportunity to visit the show and witness the best of the marine lifestyle that the show has to offer, from water sport activities to on-water displays and a strong lineup of yachts and superyachts. The 91.4m M/Y Moonlight II is the largest yacht on display, being exhibited by Burgess and on sale at €68m. The world’s largest wooden-built superyacht is also making an appearance at the show. M/Y Afra is being exhibited by the Bush & Noble brokerage firm who sailed her into the show from the UAE, where the yacht was built.
Gulf Craft is exhibiting a fleet of 12 yachts and boats from its Majesty Yachts, Nomad Yachts and Silver Cat brands, with the largest being the latest edition of the Majesty 120 Superyacht which the shipyard recently launched. Bahrain’s leading boatbuilder, Aldhaen Boats, is also exhibiting multiple leisure and commercial boats and also announced their new exclusive Qatar dealer to the public as Mourjan Marinas.
Sunreef Yachts has its innovative 80ft catamaran yachts on display, the 80 ECO Sailing and 80 ECO Power, showcasing the best of the future of yachting and the innovation behind its integrated solar panels into the yacht’s hull. Yachts 1, the exclusive dealer of Princess Yachts, Sanlorenzo, Cranchi, Williams, Seabob, and Lift are present at the show, displaying the flagship Princess X95, a Cranchi 48, and a Sessa 42 Fly.
Sunseeker Yachts’ new formation in the Gulf under the umbrella of Ocean World is exhibitng two models at the show – the Sunseeker 88 and the Superhawk 55. Sirena Yachts, represented by its GCC dealer Grande Marine, is exhibiting the Sirena 58.
Representing the Italian yacht building pedigree is Azimut Yachts, together with their GCC dealer Elite Yachts, the signature subsidiary of Seas and Desert who are the Gulf distributor, with the Azimut 53 and Azimut 68. Cigarette Boats from the USA is also showcasing the best of their offshore legend through the Cigarette 60. Iconic Dutch Superyacht brands such as Feadship, Oceanco, and Heesen Yachts are all taking part in the show.
Local Qatari boatbuilders are present including Halul, Belhambar Boats, and Doha Craft who are each displaying several of their models at the show. Qatar is looking to empower its boatbuilding heritage and offer significant incentives to create an industrial eco-system. The Freezone authority is also paving the way to create more opportunities for yacht and boat services along with boatbuilding facilities offering drydocking area and synchro lifts.
