Maldives

Maldives Yacht Support

The <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gulf Superyacht Summit - 2022">Gulf Superyacht Summit 2022</a> is now only a few days away, taking place on 9 and 10 November onboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mina Rashid Marina (Company)">Marina Mina Rashid</a>, Dubai, under the patronage of <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/p-o" target="_blank">P&amp;O Marinas</a>.&nbsp;Some of the keynote speakers have already been announced with Peter Lürssen, CEO of <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/lurssen" target="_blank">Lürssen Yachts</a> declared as the honoured keynote interviewee for the event. Peter Lürssen is the fourth-generation shipyard owner of the legendary German shipyard, which has built a large proportion of some of the world’s most exclusive yachts. We are now able to announce the final list of speakers for the two day event. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235856/image/large-9034c539c3da3b38f1bf9af695f0d5ea.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235856">WEDNESDAYThe future of the Gulf | 9 Nov |&nbsp;09:45 - 10:25A panel of experts from the region gives an update on the latest developments in the Gulf Region. Gunther Alvarado, COO of Al Seer Marine has now joined the panel, to share more about the recent announcement that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Seer Marine, MB92 and P&O Marinas to create superyacht service centre and refit shipyard in Dubai (2022-09-27 16:15:00 +0200)">Al Seer Marine, MB92 and P&amp;O Marinas are investing in a superyacht service centre and refit shipyard in Dubai</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/90580/image/large-267f4d2bfd330bdaa3d6a910ce1d9d48.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/90580"> Investing in the UAE | 9 Nov | 10:25 - 11:05&nbsp;With a growing fleet and more demand for yachts, it is now a good time to invest in the yacht industry of the United Arab Emirates. What are the opportunities and challenges of investing or starting a yacht business in the United Arab Emirates. Paolo Casani, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> yacht brokerage will be joining Jean-Marc Bolinger of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 Barcelona (Company)">MB92 Barcelona</a>, Francis Lapp of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> and Saleha Osmani, Regional Head of the Middle East of Invest Industrial. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/215707/image/large-2c4101a2581add199ebbd49be32048fd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/215707">Looking after the growing fleet in the UAE | 9 Nov | 11:35 - 12:15Globally the superyacht fleet is growing, but also in the UAE. There need to be marinas to dock the yachts, agents to support them, suppliers to supply them and shipyards to maintain them, is that available and what needs to be done? The panel has now been expanded to include Jo Assael, Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/834" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Döhle Private Clients Ltd (Company)">Döhle Yachts</a>, Fiorenzo Spadoni, Marine United Kingdom Area Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RINA (Company)">RINA</a> and Captain Mike Fetton, General Manager of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6806" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JLS Yachts (Company)">JLS Yachts</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/48515/image/large-2ba0ccb304fc4014ce90ea19fae11ae2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/48515">The challenges of yacht ownership in the Gulf | 9 Nov | 12:15 - 12:55What are the challenges faced by superyachts owners in the Gulf region? Oliver Blanchet, Head of Jet and Yacht Finance of BNP Paribas, Julian Smith, Principal Surveyor of the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry and Rob Tobin, Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5129" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Riela Yachts (Company)">Riela Yachts</a>, discuss finance, ownership structures, insurance and flagging.&nbsp;Attracting new clients in the Gulf | 9 Nov | 14:20 - 15:00The number of millionaires in Dubai has increased by 18% to around 67,900 millionaires and the real estate market is booming. Is there also a stronger demand for yachts in the Gulf region? Justin Ratcliffe will be joined on stage by Rado Antolovic, CEO of<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="DryDocks World (Company)">&nbsp;Drydocks World</a>, Jorritt Pilaar, Sales Manager of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> and Paris Baloumis, Group Marketing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/205513/image/large-b8253c0903b3a9878c18542f0203a3b6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/205513">The Owner’s Perspective | 9 Nov | 15:00 - 15:30Interview with a superyacht owners to get their perspective on cruising the Gulf region and beyond. Francesca Webster will be moderating the talk between Guido Krass, owner of the 85-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bold85.3m (279'10&quot;)SilverYachts2019">Bold</a>, and Mohamed Al Zaabi, owner of the 35m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1420" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="DXB34.95m (114'8&quot;)Benetti SpA2003">DXB</a> and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4686" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Yachts Dubai (Company)">Royal Yachts</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/247653/image/large-90ee00189d2f26e92590de9fcc4096db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/247653">Charter the way forward for the Gulf? | 9 Nov | 15:30 - 16:10 To create a destination, it is extremely important that there are yachts available for charter. Be it for day charters or overnight charters. How can the Gulf attract more charter yachts? The original panel will now be joined by Anastazja Kociolkowska,&nbsp;Business Development Manager Dubai of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>.THURSDAYThe Great Eastern Route | 10 Nov | 9:00 - 9:40What can the different regions and countries do together to get more superyachts travelling eastwards? Grant Holmes of Inchape will now be joined on stage by Steve Stiglbauer, Port Manager of Old Doha Port, as well as Abdulla Waheed, Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4537" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maldives Yacht Support (Company)">Maldives Yacht Support</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/90581/image/large-c1ba62634c94849d6fba5fb7d716e500.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/90581">How tech can benefit the Superyacht Industry | 10 Nov| 10:00 - 10:40Technology is a big part of our lives today and the superyacht industry starts to slowly adopt more tech. On this panel, we have some experts who are challenging the industry with cool tech solutions that benefit industry professionals and superyacht owners. For this newly launched panel, Merijn de Waard will be joined by Sylvain Vieujot of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enata Marine (Company)">ENATA</a>, Thomas O’Nial, Co-Founder of Meta Yachts, Giovanni Alessi Anghini, Chief Innovation &amp; Technology Officer of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> and Fabian Tollenaar, Technology Director of YachtEye.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/247676/image/large-62b2d94a7fe7e4d62108e7766bd12485.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/247676">The Energy Challenge | 10 Nov | 11:30 - 12:10With a lot of forward-thinking billionaires as clients, why is there no superyacht on the water yet that is powered by hydrogen? What are the latest developments and what will it look like in 5-years from now? Engel Jan de Boer,&nbsp;Yacht Segment Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyds Ships (Company)">Lloyd's Register</a> will be moderating the panel with Paolo Bertetti,&nbsp;Vice President Technical R&amp;D of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>, Jo Assael of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/834" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Döhle Yachts (Company)">Döhle Yachts</a> and Dr. Bernhard Urban, Head of Development &amp; Innovation of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH &amp; Co. KG</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235859/image/large-e7d2935d870c7b3871df2e6fb3326f97.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235859">You can find the full schedule and more information on the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/gulf-superyacht-summit-2022-early-bird-tickets#managed-by-system" target="_blank">Gulf Superyacht Summit</a> website: <a href="https://www.gulfsuperyachtsummit.com/" target="_blank">www.gulfsuperyachtsummit.com</a>. <a href="https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/84531/gulf-superyacht-summit" target="_blank">Early bird tickets</a> for the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/gulf-superyacht-summit-2022-early-bird-tickets#managed-by-system" target="_blank">Gulf Superyacht Summit 2022</a> now sold out, but there are some final tickets remaining. Don’t miss out, <a href="https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/84531/gulf-superyacht-summit" target="_blank">buy your tickets today</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/240975/image/large-1dd1deadc2235db72ef7c675ba4762cc.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/240975"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/240976/image/large-fd2d41a0239fa277712a77d8dfcfd133.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/240976">

Gulf Superyacht Summit speakers

The final speakers have been announced for next week's Gulf Superyacht Summit.

Gulf Superyacht Summit 2022: Final speakers announced for next week's summit

“The Maldives has seen a steady increase in visiting superyachts over the past few years,” according to Maldives Yacht Support Director Abdulla Waheed. The idyllic group of islands situated in the Indian Ocean is currently hosting a large number of high profile private and charter yachts enjoying Caribbean-like weather in a unique environment.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157860/image/large-367404b1109982e988cc60b7e74e5319.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157860">According to Waheed, it is the destination’s endless watersports and diving possibilities along with high end luxury facilities on land that attract superyachts to the islands each year. The central and northern atolls seem to be the most popular gathering spot for these visiting yachts, but according to Waheed, the cruising possibilities around the islands are infinite.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157861/image/large-92c1fed13b36494e40a3d9d690c7a401.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157861">The lack of a dedicated superyacht marina means that superyachts are forced to spend their time at anchor here, however, such facility developments are being investigated but would require the financial assistance of a backing partner.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157862/image/large-2f364ac4cf3a441a876216060426c1f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157862">According to Waheed, the Maldives are becoming a popular destination for yachts having completed a summer season in the Med that are looking to enjoy fair weather and an alternative to crossing the Atlantic. From here some yachts venture to Thailand before stopping in the Maldives again ahead of the voyage back to the Mediterranean for another summer season’s cruising. Just some of the yachts having visited the Maldives this past season include Octopus, Savannah, Event, La Familia, Titania and Roma. Superyacht Jade 696 is also currently in the region, which is avalable for charter through Northrop &amp; Johnson. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157863/image/large-f6204efff8df499dab8d51062577cc0c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157863"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157864/image/large-3224a1091b835db2f8504b8122eaf9f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157864"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157865/image/large-2050e82522a665eff60cb0a49a378369.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157865"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157866/image/large-0982a8aaed460f1cff53197c5d1e4220.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157866"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157867/image/large-a1d50cf3c65ca2af99c9720d455ed131.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157867"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157868/image/large-ff31af69f7cc461dda9c5de5c917905d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157868"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157869/image/large-0c16dc1cb054eefd00715d45f2e1f53c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157869"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157870/image/large-d5e274f611d4de88ec06bad84e1c95fb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157870"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157871/image/large-fd4b80fdf93caaf2210c6140b1962632.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157871"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157872/image/large-1f1bf64ea4756812cec47fed04f0840e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157872"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157873/image/large-449d985eb872f45294e50311081ef6cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157873"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157874/image/large-ca6b6597682364e443a974c5b5cf13ce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157874"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157875/image/large-b150425860568f9251b0856fae4d65c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157875"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157876/image/large-b952b24bb3fc0be4c764457e3474dd83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157876"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157877/image/large-de2092633b2405421caffb41d13e1396.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157877"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157878/image/large-037e36b10b966e4839721c7004abece2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157878"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157879/image/large-4dc3613cd2b3050580426fa4bfe22114.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157879"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157880/image/large-09d3c07c0af9041465bfdd705f0e5a70.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157880">By Tom van Oossanen, photos by <a href="http://www.maldivesyachtsupport.com/" target="_blank">Maldives Yacht Support</a> &amp; SYT reader