06/2008 –

Following the announcement of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2009, plans have been approved for a marina that will be home to the show’s on-water exhibits. Dredging has commenced in preparation for the creation of the megayacht pontoon area, which will be completed swiftly in line with so many other projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and unveiled prior to the show’s opening in March 2009.

The show’s complex will include land-based booths within the luxurious Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), overlooking the stunning yachts on display in the pontoon area. Scheduled for construction from July, plans have been accepted for a bridge to link the two main areas of the show for quick and easy access.

The bridge and marina will be constructed by Halcrow, the master developer for the entire ADNEC project. Both will be completed by 10th February 2009 prior to the Middle East’s premier defence exhibition and conference, IDEX.

The launch of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2009 reflects the emerging megayacht market within the Gulf’s modern maritime community and will provide a lavish yet professional environment for exhibitors to gain access to high net worth individuals, who are acknowledged as being in the market for yachts upwards of $15million.

Yachts attendance confirmed

With just under a year to go until the inaugural Abu Dhabi Yacht Show opens its doors at the luxurious setting of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the organisers have announced confirmed attendance of the first yachts that will be on display in the new marina complex. A dozen companies have booked space with representation from shipyards, brokers and designers.

Recent sign-up, French luxury yachting group Rodriguez, will be taking a 32m Mangusta and US builder Westport will be showing a 40m yacht in the specially built marina. UK builder Sunseeker will have a floating stand at the show and will be displaying two yachts, both over 30m. Also in the marina will be Dubai based IFA Yachts, a specialist yacht ownership club and sales agent for Maiora Yachts, which has taken a package of 28 metre berth, adjoining pontoon space and a stand within ADNEC.

Further recent sign-ups taking space within ADNEC include UK based Devonport Yachts, Italian megayacht yards Cantieri Navali Lavagna and Fincantieri Yachts, which specialises in vessels over 70 metres, and Dubai based Pino Meroni Yacht Interiors.

Franck Dailles, Group Director of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show believes the industry now recognises the importance of this new show and its audience. ‘We have exhibitors signed up from Europe, US and the Gulf, all of whom want to meet the elite, wealthy visitors who are in the market for yachts upwards of 30 metres. We have recently returned from a tour of the major shipyards in Italy and interest in attending the show is very high, with Cantieri Navali Lavagna and Fincantieri Yachts already signed up. Many more mega yacht companies have expressed a strong interest in taking part in the show.”

Confirmation of prestige companies at such an early stage is affirmation of the importance of this region to the superyacht industry and an endorsement of the decision to stage the event. The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show is organised by Informa Yacht Group, owner and operator of Europe’s acknowledged megayacht show, Monaco Yacht Show.

More information: www.abudhabiyachtshow.com
Photo Credit: ©Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company

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