DUBAI 24 February 2019: Meraas will showcase Dubai Harbour – the first yachting community hub in the Middle East – during the 27th annual Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) 2019.
The 1,100 berth Dubai Harbour’s marina has three main areas – Harbour Marina, Bay Marina and Palm View Marina. Meraas will invite yacht owners to reserve berths in Q3 2019, with 780 berths expected to be ready for handover in September 2020 upon completion of the first phase of development at Dubai Harbour.
It also features 180 superyacht berths spanning 160 metres in length, a yacht club, a crew club, and service and maintenance facilities.
Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman, Meraas, said: “The breakthrough infrastructure of the future that we are developing at Dubai Harbour will fortify the city’s status as a modern maritime hub, given the extensive range of capabilities it is set to offer on completion to a diverse clientele – from yacht owners to maritime businesses in need of a strategic logistics location.
Dubai – a future maritime hub
Meraas has a joint venture with D-Marin, in partnership with Dubai Holding. By managing 11 marinas in the Ionian, Aegean and Adriatic seas, D-Marin has created one of the largest international chains of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean, promoting recreational yachting and developing sustainable businesses encouraging local employment and growth within the economy.
Announced in November 2018, the agreement will bring a one-of-its-kind, comprehensive marina management ecosystem to Dubai.
The need for such infrastructure in Dubai has never been more pressing. According to a report published by Menon Economics and DNV-GL at the end of 2018, the UAE ranked 14th in the world in the maritime sector with an investment of nearly US$64.7 billion during 2018. In Dubai alone, the sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP stands at $7.3 billion – 7 per cent of the total.
The need for more marinas in the UAE was also exemplified in the findings of a 2018 Superyacht Builders Association (SYBA) report, stating that the region is a major market for luxury yachts. The report highlighted that close to 205 luxury yachts require a berthing length of more than 40 metres – representing 13 per cent of the world’s yacht fleet.
Harbour Marina
Upon completion of phase 1, this area will accommodate over 560 wet berths for yachts up to 35 metres in length (LOA), with 150 stern-to berths within closer proximity to the promenade and 410 finger berths for patrons seeking more privacy. An estimated 300+ berths will be added to the Harbour Marina in Phase 2 for yachts up to 30 metre in length.
Bay Marina
The Bay Marina will be Dubai’s first superyacht-dedicated marina, with 180 berths, with over 45 wet berths for yachts over 50 metres in length (LOA) and eight wet berths for yachts over 100 metres in length (LOA). Carefully curated to cater to the needs of more exclusive clientele, this area would offer more exclusivity, a heightened sense of privacy and a helipad with two landing platforms.
It will also offer sweeping vistas of the nearby high-rise residences and hotels, the central trunk of Palm Jumeriah and the Mina Seyahi beachfront. Crew facilities nestled within the Bay Marina will include a gym, crew lounge, a bar/hideout and a dedicated marina office.
Palm View Marina
Finally, the relatively smaller Palm View Marina will cater to the spirit of the community. Hosting 37 berths for yachts spanning up to 50 metres in length alongside a promenade and close to Dubai Harbour’s North Beach, this area will offer views of Palm Jumeirah and the neighbourhood’s northern promenade.
