Camper & Nicholsons cements position as authority on Gulf region with new office in Dubai

28th January 2023
With exciting infrastructural developments in the pipeline and extensive cruising grounds to explore, Dubai and the Gulf embody a burgeoning yachting destination. Camper & Nicholsons shines a spotlight on what the region has to offer.

Dubai and the Gulf are of growing importance to the superyacht industry. While Dubai has quality yachting infrastructure, the wider Gulf region boasts top tier hospitality, untouched cruising grounds and A-list events, from Formula One to the FIFA World Cup. Best of all, the region is blessed by warm seas and hot sun from November through to April.

Already establishing itself as a luxury yachting hub, the United Arab Emirates is home to several high-end marinas. The 1,100-berth Dubai Harbour is the largest of 15 marinas, where yachts up to 160m can moor next to Palm Jumeirah. P&O Marina’s ever-expanding Mina Rashid Marina in Dubai has over 10km of open berthing space to accommodate yachts without size restrictions. During 2022, the marina welcomed 91.5m Tranquility and 69m Saluzi.

A final missing piece of the yachting jigsaw has just been set in motion. P&O Marinas recently announced a joint venture with Al Seer Marine and MB92 Group to develop the first dedicated superyacht refit and repair facility in Dubai. The shipyard construction is scheduled for completion in 2026, but the collaboration aims to offer repair and refit services from 2023.

From a cruising perspective, thanks to regulation changes, increasing charter possibilities and newly discovered cruising grounds, the region has never held such appeal. Snoopy Island off Fujairah, a little-known emirate overlooking the Gulf of Oman, is one of the country’s best kept secrets and attracts professional divers from all over the world.

The neighbouring Sultanate of Oman is three times larger than the UAE yet hosts half the population. Steeped in history and culture, the nation boasts a 3,000km-long coastline that crashes into the Indian Ocean in endless waves of sand. A short cruise north of Muscat, Musandam Peninsula is a warren of fjords that shear down from 2,000m peaks. Oman’s coastal waters are home to humpbacks and Bryde’s whales, many of which cavort in the warm waters off Masirah – a 100km-long adventure island packed with kitesurf beaches and dive locations.

Having built a reputation as an authority on the region, Camper & Nicholsons was invited to play a central role at the Gulf Superyacht Summit 2022, which was attended by more than 200 international and national delegates. Camper & Nicholsons experts featured on three panels at the event: Giovanni Alessi, chief innovation and technology officer, participated in the ‘Investing in the UAE’ and ‘How tech can benefit the superyacht industry’ panels and Thomas O’Nial, sales manager, was involved in the ‘Attracting new clients in the Gulf’ panel.

Reflecting on the Summit, O’Nial commented, “I was delighted to attend the Gulf Superyacht Summit in Dubai. The Gulf is a new destination, it is growing. The infrastructure being built here is wonderful, it is tremendous. There are marinas popping up everywhere. The government and the authorities are really promoting the growth of yachting in the region.”

In recognition of the region’s immense potential for yacht owners and charterers, Camper & Nicholsons recently announced its expansion in the United Arab Emirates. Having opened a proprietary office in Mina Rashid marina in 2022, Camper & Nicholsons now offers full-scale turnkey services to domestic and international clientele in the Gulf region.

Paolo Casani, CEO of Camper & Nicholsons, comments, “We continue the expansion of Camper & Nicholsons in one of the most important hubs of the yachting industry – Dubai and the Emirates. The international presence and the offering of all our services from brokerage, new construction project management, charter, crew, and yacht management services to insurance will give us an excellent opportunity to be closer to our international clients and local superyacht owners.”

Camper & Nicholsons is dedicated to continuing and growing its activity in Dubai and the Gulf far into the future. This year, the team is looking forward to attending the 2023 Dubai International Boat Show, taking place from 1 to 5 March 2023 in Dubai Harbour. Here, the team will be meeting with existing and prospective clients to show them the exciting opportunities and potential this up-and-coming destination has to offer.