Big-name players rally to region’s only superyacht show and confirm its growing reputation as prime business generator.
Some of the global superyacht industry’s most important players have signed up for the 3rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS) – the region’s only exhibition exclusively dedicated to the superyacht industry – and are predicting exciting new sales opportunities, concept launches and regional premieres for the event.
Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of Informa Yacht Group (IYG), the show organisers, says the focused platform that ADYS offers industry stakeholders looking at the bigger end of the superyacht scale is unmatched in this region, a fact recognised by some of its most respected business leaders.
Abu Dhabi MAR Stand
“The exhibitor line-up includes some of the biggest names in the international superyacht business including Oceanco, Lurssen, Westport, San Lorenzo, Abu Dhabi MAR, Nobiskrug, CMN Yachts, YCO, Burgess, Edmiston, Azimut, Benetti, and Numarine, as well as regional stalwarts such as Gulf Craft, Art Marine and Behne MAR,” said Treadwell. “Negotiations continue with many more market-leading companies, and details of the yachts expected at Yas Marina for the show will be released shortly.”
Last year’s show witnessed a number of high-profile concept debuts, including the ES117 – the first of three megayachts to be built by luxury yacht builder Oceanco under the Weyves Couture concept. The 2010 launch of the ES117, designed in collaboration with the Middle East’s reigning fashion mogul Elie Saab, sparked a huge wave of industry, media and buyer interest, and Oceanco is keen to ride this wave with two new superyacht concept launches during ADYS 2011.
According to Marcel Okenhout, CEO, Oceanco, the two concept yachts due to be unveiled at ADYS 2011 feature individual collaborations with leading designers. Further details will be revealed during the show, although Oceanco believes the project is already stirring plenty of interest. “We found strong interest from buyers from all over the world when we showcased the ES117 concept at ADYS last year and we anticipate a similar response to this year’s launches,” said Okenhout.
Okenhout confirms that the Middle East, in part, continues to represent a major market for the superyacht industry. Middle Eastern residents currently account for around 30 per cent of the world’s superyacht owners and some of the largest new builds delivered in recent years have found their way to this region. “This market is set to become even more important with the heavy investment in marina development, leisure yachting facilities and associated support infrastructure that it has witnessed in recent years, particular among the Gulf countries. As a global brand, Oceanco sees ADYS as a strategic opportunity to promote our yachts to a high-net-worth client base whose cultural aspirations and sensibilities represent the ideal luxury superyacht buyer,” Okenhout continued.
Oceanco also revealed that a Middle East presence supports its future aspirations to build more yachts in the 100-metre range. “Oceanco will be breaking ground on land adjacent to our current facility in The Netherlands for a planned 165m long x 52m wide x 32m high dry dock construction hall. This extended facility marks the next step in Oceanco’s advance into the 100m+ market,” Okenhout added.
Treadwell added, “This year’s show will offer an unparalleled platform for high-level networking and real business opportunities for yacht builders, brokers, and suppliers, as well as for charter brokers, interior design firms, marina developers and private owners – the entire gamut of players having a stake in the global superyacht industry.”
The inaugural edition of ADYS, in March 2009, spurred negotiations on the sale of the 73.2m superyacht MY Rabdan (formerly Silver) which were successfully closed shortly after at an asking price of AED 294 million (US $80.5 million). Last year, ADYS saw the sale of the impressive 85m Superyacht Moonlight II ex Alysia ranked among the world’s 100 largest yachts, for AED 387 million (US $106 million) through a lead established at the event. A new Westport build valued at AED40 million (US $11 million) was likewise sold to a Middle East client – proving the show’s established reputation for providing access to serious buyers.
ADYS is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and is sponsored by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
This year’s edition, to be held March 24 – 26 at Yas Marina, will be co-located and jointly promoted with the season opener of the FIA GT1 World Championship 2011 – one of the most glamorous events on the motor racing calendar. Show timings are 3pm – to 9pm daily. Guests planning to visit the event are encouraged to pre-register by visiting the show’s website.
Abu Dhabi Yacht Show
The launch of the superyacht-centric Abu Dhabi Yacht Show in 2009, driven by Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to become one of the world’s leading marine leisure and yachting centres, has without doubt provided an international focus on the large yacht business in the Middle East
- Over 7,000 participants from around the world
- 140 exhibitors from over 30 countries
- 31 Superyachts from 25m to 100m
- A number of multi-million dollar deals agreed
- Incorporates a top class exhibition and conference, as well as several other luxury lifestyle events.
- Invitation-only event for the world’s highest net worth individuals.
- The show is a focal point for the yachting industry, where top professionals gather together to discover this new marketplace with vast un-tapped potential.
