Official Conference Partner of 2 Get Flash to see this player. The second Gulf Superyacht Forum was a great success with 15 expert speakers taking to the stage to present and discuss the issues facing the Gulf region to an audience of superyacht industry professionals and captains. The conference was kick started with a technical tour of the impressive facilities of Greenline Yacht Interiors – delegates were treated to a fascinating welcome address by Mr Samir Badro Chairman, CEO of Greenline Group, followed by two presentations by the management team.  The veneer room, the logistics department, the joinery & carpentry section were among the divisions visited, as was one of the famous mock up sections, where delegates were shown a small section of the owner’s cabin, corridor and wardrobe area from MY A. The second day of the conference commenced with three industry leaders, namely Nasser Alshaali - Gulf Craft, Andrew Wagner - Al Masaood Marine and Bertrand Vogele - YPI Group taking to the stage to give delegates insight on the building, selling and operating of superyachts in the Gulf region. The Gulf Superyacht Forum was thrilled to be joined by a panel exclusively announcing the new UAE yacht regulations for yachts over 24 meters.  The three parties involved in drafting these new rules: Johan Valentijn - Abu Dhabi MAR, Captain Saleem Alavi - National Transport Authority and Karl Morten Wiklund - Det Norske Veritas (DNV) gave delegates a brief snapshot of the rules, the thinking behind them and the future ramifications. Stewart Cumming – UKMTO, Phillip Cable - Maritime Asset Security and Training Ltd and Paul Miller - Underwriting Risk Services, gave delegates an overview of the current situation and threat of piracy, in ‘The impact of Piracy in the Gulf & Indian Ocean regions’ session – all drawing on their particular area of expertise, the Captains in the audience in particular benefited from this topical session. Matthew Bate - Mourjan Marinas IGY, Fred Carr - Aldar Marinas, Alexander Drinkwater - Al Seer Marine and Paul Miller - Underwriting Risk Services all gave their expert opinion and input from their specific areas of expertise – finishing off the conference with a round up of the future developments and issues surrounding this area. Photos, transcripts and a full review of the event will be online soon!  Please click on the 'news' tab above to view a full review of the Greenline Tour. Superyachtevents would like to thank the speakers for their input, and also the Gulf Superyacht Forum sponsors, Mourjan Marinas IGY and Majesty Yachts. For sales and sponsorship 2011 contact Andy Howell on +44 20 7801 1047 andy@superyachtevents.com For event enquiries contact Georgina Lucey on +44 20 7801 1015 georgina@superyachtevents.com "Healthy, lively dialogue of great input from panels and participants alike! Great involvement by the audience." Fred Carr, Project Director, Aldar Marinas "It was my first time to come to such an event, and it will definitely not be the last" Saif Almehairbi, Mubadala Official Conference Partner of

DAY 1 - Wednesday 24th February

READ the full review under the 'News' menu tab at the top of the page.

Technical tour of Greenline Yacht Interiors

                                                The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show Charity Gala Dinner















DAY 2 – Thursday 25th February

9.00 – 10.30      Coffee and registration
 
10.30 – 12.00    Keynote 2 - Building, selling and operating in the Gulf
This panel of experts from the brokerage, build and operations world of superyachts in the Gulf Region will discuss the unique situations that doing business in the region creates and how they navigate these in order to tackle the market effectively. 
This panel will draw on the expertise of some of the key players in the industry here, and the experience from significant transactions, which will provide valuable insight into the growing market for those looking to either establish, or grow their existing presence in the Gulf.
Nasser Alshaali - Gulf Craft
Bertrand Vogele - Yachting Partners International
Andrew Wagner - Al Masaood

12.00 – 13.00    Paper 1 - The Rules, Laws and Regulations of the Gulf
This session will provide a snapshot into the current and future rules, laws and regulations affecting the owning and operating of superyachts in the area.  It will outline what changes the government is planning to implement in order to ease and encourage the growth of the superyacht industry here, as well as discussing the current hurdles and how potential changes will affect the market and companies operating.
Captain Saleem Alavi - UAE National Transport Authority
Johan Valentijn - Abu Dhabi MAR
Karl Morten Wiklund - Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

13.00 – 14.00      Lunch
 
14.00 – 15.00    Paper 2 - The impact of Piracy in the Gulf & Indian Ocean regions
How seriously is the current threat of piracy affecting cruising in the area and what measures are being done to counter this. What level of protection does the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor offer and what other options are available to those wishing to travel to the Gulf.  The purpose of this session is to raise awareness of the situation whilst simultaneously discouraging the scare mongering that has created the problem of yachts avoiding the area altogether by presenting the facts and possible solutions that the experts themselves recommend.
Phillip Cable - Maritime Asset Security and Training  (MAST) Ltd
Paul Miller - Underwriting Risk Services
Stewart Cumming - UKMTO

15.00 – 16.00    Paper 3 - Berthing, Refit, Repair and Service restrictions in the Gulf
The forum will be concluded by this overview of the current state and future possibilities of these four key factors in the successful operation of the superyacht industry in the Gulf region.  What is the capability and restrictions of the region what will the next 12 months bring?
Matthew Bate - Mourjan Marinas IGY
Fred Carr - Aldar Marinas
Captain Alexander Drinkwater - Al Seer Marine
Paul Miller - Underwriting Risk Services

16.00 - 17.30      Close of Conference, Networking Afternoon Tea

Wednesday 24 February
The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show held its annual Charity Gala Dinner from 7.30pm at the magnificent Emirates Palace. Pictures of The Yacht Report Team in all their finery coming soon..

A selection of hotels in close proximity to Yas Island with reduced hotel rates.

The Yas Hotel - 5 Star
http://www.theyashotel.com
Standard Single AED1100 + 10% service charge 6% tourism fee











Crowne Plaza Hotel - 4 Star
http://www.crowneplaza.com
Standard Single AED650

Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island - 4 Star
http://www.radissonblu.com
Standard Single AED650

Park Inn Hotel - 5 Star
http://www.hotel-rn.com/ms/183446.html
Standard Single AED450

Centro Hotel Yas Island - 3 Star
http://www.rotana.com/property-34.htm
Standard Single AED450

For further help booking, please contact, Sajard Assim at IRR Travel and Hospitality, sajard.assim@iirme.com or the superyacht events team on +44 (0) 20 7924 4004 at info@superyachtevents.com


Directions to The Yas Hotel:
The Yas Hotel is only 15 minutes from the city centre of Abu Dhabi, 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi airport and 50 minutes from Dubai airport.

From Abu Dhabi:

• Take the highway going to Dubai
• Follow the signs to Yas Island
• Take Yas West Exit or Yas East exit.
• Follow signs that lead to the Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World.
• The Yas Marina Circuit will be the left side of the road, keep going straight, and look for gates 9 and 10 located on the left side of the road.
  The Yas Hotel’s entrance is over the bridge between these 2 gates.

From Dubai:

• Take the highway going to Abu Dhabi.
• Follow the signs to Yas Island.
• Take Yas East Exit or West Exit.
• Follow signs that lead to the Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World.
• The Yas Marina Circuit will be on the left side of the road, keep going straight, and look for gates 9 and 10 on the left side of the road. The Yas Hotel’s entrance is over the bridge between these 2 gates.

By Ellie Brade

On Wednesday night the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show began with the charity gala dinner, hosted once again at the Emirates Palace.  Guests were entertained by a special dance performance on the beach, which was followed by the Yacht Ballet which saw the yachts involved moving just off shore from the palace to the accompaniment of lasers and classical music.  Participating yachts included  RoMa; Linda Lou; the Majesty 121, the Azimut 98 Party, Trident, Australis and Allure Shadow. Following this was a three course meal during which cheques were presented to the receptive charities.  There was an understandable subdued air  following the death of Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan yesterday, which saw flags flying at half mast and Abu Dhabi entering three official days of mourning.

SURNAME	FIRSTNAME	COMPANY
Redmayne	Martin H	Chairman - Editor in Chief, The Yacht Report Group
Addley	Colin A.	Vice President, Greenline Yacht Interiors
Alavi	Saleem	Maritime Advisor and Director, National Ship Registry, UAE
Alshaali	Nasser	CEO, Gulf Craft
Ascheri	Gianluca	Sales & Marketing Director, Greenline Yacht Interiors
Badro	Lea	Business Development Director, Greenline Yacht Interiors
Badro	Samir M.	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenline Group
Bate	Matthew	Director of Operations, IGY Middle East & Asia
Cable	Phillip	Director & Founder, MAST
Carr	Fred	Legal Director, Aldar Marinas
Drinkwater	Alexander	General Manager, Al Seer Marine
Miller	Paul	Director of Underwriting, Underwriting Risk Services Ltd
Valentijn	Johan	Industrial Manager, Abu Dhabi MAR/ADMShipyards
Vogele	Bertrand	President Administrateur Delegue & Group Managing Director, YPI Group
Wagner	Andrew	General Manager, Al Masaood Marine
Wiklund	Karl Morten	Business Director of Passenger Ships, Det Norske Veritas

01 Mar 2010 - The Gulf Superyacht Forum 2010 - Event Review -
DAY 2 of the Gulf Superyacht Forum

Following on from the success of the Greenline Yacht Interiors technical tour, the second day of the Gulf Superyacht Forum got off to an educational and insightful start with our keynote session on the morning of the Thursday, 25 February.

Three industry leaders, namely Nasser Alshaali, CEO of Gulf Craft; Andrew Wagner, General Manager, Al Masaood Marine and Bertrand Vogele, President Administrateur Delegue & Group Managing Director, YPI Group took to the stage to give delegates insight on the building, selling and operating of superyachts in the Gulf.  Nasser commented that today and the future holds ‘new, more critical, but less informed wealth’.  He also discussed the ‘myth’ of low cost labour in this region, a theme that Andrew Wagner echoed later in the session.  Nasser Alshaali also encouraged the growth of yachting associations in this region– to help educate VIPS and to work with local coastguards and waterways to ensure the growth and operation of yachts in the area.  Following on from this, in fact two of the panelists in the final session of the day: Fred Carr - Legal Director, Aldar Marinas and Alexander Drinkwater - General Manager, Al Seer Marine have recently set up the Marine Leisure Association of the Emirates.

The Gulf Superyacht Forum was thrilled to be joined by a panel exclusively announcing the new UAE yacht regulations for yachts over 24 meters.  This was kick started by Johan Valentijn - Industrial Manager, Abu Dhabi MAR/ADMShipyards, who introduced the thinking behind the rules and regulations.  The three parties involved identified the need for yacht regulations that address the private superyacht segment of the industry and wanted to develop current, dynamic yacht rules that can change with the times.  Their aim is to make the UAE flag a flag of convenience in the future.  Johan stressed that the UAE is a dynamic place, ‘you don’t build a country in 35 years without vision’, and the rules will reflect this.

Captain Saleem Alavi - Maritime Advisor and Director, National Ship Registry, UAE explained that they benefited from having an incredibly progressive Director General who listens and intends to work with the industry from the bottom up – something that can only benefit and aid the success of these new rules.  Karl Morten Wiklund - Business Director of Passenger Ships, Det Norske Veritas gave delegates an update on the proposed rules and declared that he does ‘expect international recognition of the private yacht regulations’. More in depth coverage and details on these new rules will appear on Synfo.com this week, so look out for those.


The third session focused on the impact of Piracy in the Gulf & Indian Ocean regions.  We were lucky enough to have Stewart Cumming, Chief Petty Officer – UKMTO, joining us and he gave a fascinating insight into the situation and the work that the UKMTO are doing to manage it.  The captains attending the forum were given vital advice on cruising in the area, what signs to look out for and what procedure to follow in the event of an attack.  The pirates are constantly evolving their practices, and therefore keeping a constant eye on the developments is key to safe passage. Phillip Cable - Director & Founder, MAST gave a security consultants perspective, and Paul Miller - Director of Underwriting, Underwriting Risk Services Ltd, followed this with the insurance side resulting in a well rounded panel with different sides of the issue addressed.

The conference was finished with the session focusing on Berthing, Refit, Repair and Service restrictions in the Gulf.  The issues of berthing and the promotion of the area as a destination were raised throughout the conference, with high hopes for the future Fred Carr - Aldar Marinas proclaimed that he was ‘optimistic about the industry in the very near term’.  Matthew Bate - Director of Operations, Mourjan Marinas IGY gave his input with four key points to look at when considering the restrictions in the area: The critical infrastructure; the Integrated development facility feasibility studies; yacht services and owner support; and a cruising network.   Alexander Drinkwater - Al Seer Marine, gave valuable insight into his experiences of being a service provider in the region and disagreed with the general consensus of the panel citing the example of their two most distinguished clients having purchased two large superyachts in the last year and though Al Seer faced challenges in maintaining these yachts to international standards, Andrew felt that they had achieved this successfully.


For more detail look out for the transcripts of all of the individual sessions, which will be uploaded in the next week, if you didn't attend but still want to view these please contact us.  Full coverage of the event will be included in the next issue, May #113, of The Yacht Report.

26 Feb 2010 - Review : Technical Tour of the Greenline Yacht Interiors facilities. -
‘In the end everything will be ok, and if it is not ok, it is not the end’ was the powerful statement from Mr Samir Badro Chairman and CEO, during his Welcome Presentation and Keynote Address at the Gulf Superyacht Forum’s technical tour of Greenline Yacht Interiors impressive facilities in the Jebel Ali Free Zone just outside Dubai on Wednesday 24th February. He urged delegates to be patient and reinforced the fact that there was still a great deal of opportunity in the Gulf region, especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  Greenline Interiors was established 35 years ago – during this time they have survived and witnessed incredible growth.  There is a strong infrastructure in the region with future continued development, so Mr Badro’s message to our delegates was: have the guts to go ahead and develop a project and be patient.

The tour of the factory proceeded with delegates being divided into four groups, each accompanied by two Greenline Yacht Interior employees to guide and answer any questions.  


We were led to the gold, copper and silver leafing section where we witnessed a worker meticulously leafing a silver frame. The upholstery section was next with our tour guide, Senior Design Coordinator Salam Kiwan explaining that it is the designers that often impose the hides and leathers.  We were shown detailed stitching work on the panels –with the specific designer usually providing samples, and Greenline Yacht Interiors skilled workforce matching it.

The logistics department was visited, where the interiors are weighed, signed, sealed, and delivered to the customer.  Here the process of quality control was examined - at Greenline Yacht Interiors one person is assigned to each item and takes it through the entire production process, ensuring complete continuity and a high standard – this is also echoed by the fact that the Quality Control team answer to no one except the Chairman and Vice President!

Next, the famous mock up section, we were treated to a view of a small section of the owner’s cabin, corridor and wardrobe area from MY A.  The incredible attention to detail and immaculate set up meant that I circumnavigated the carpet, afraid to make even a tiny mark with my shoes!

The tour of the humidity controlled veneer room was particularly interesting. Something that Greenline Yacht Interiors are known for is their meticulous veneer work and book matching.  We entered the large stock room where they endeavour to keep as many different veneer stock’s possible.  The tour finished with a brief look at the cutting machines – which can cut as small as half a millimetre, here we witnessed the cutting of an incredibly intricate snowflake pattern.

The tour of Greenline Yacht Interiors was rounded up and the delegates ended the day with a late lunch and networking in the impressive gardens.  The Superyachtevents team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Greenline Yacht Interiors, for facilitating this tour and for being such wonderful hosts!

24 Feb 2010 - Tour of Greenline Yacht Interior opens the second Gulf Superyacht Forum -


The second Gulf Superyacht Forum opened today with delegates visiting the Greenline Yacht Interior Facilities in Dubai. The fine weather and Dubai sunshine allowed delegates to enjoy a delicious lunch on the Greenline lawn and welcome from Samir M. Badro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Greenline Group.

Tonight the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show opens with the Charity Gala Dinner taking place.  Held at from 7.30pm at the impressive Emirates Palace, the dinner is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi & Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The Yacht Report Group Team will be there in their finery... pictures to come soon!




Speaker Update

Stewart Cumming and Lieutenant Seth Parsons - UKMTO (The UK Maritime Trade Operations office in Dubai) have been confirmed for Paper Two of the Gulf Superyacht Forum The impact of Piracy in the Gulf & Indian Ocean regions


Tomorrow is the second day of the Gulf Superyacht Forum, at the Yas Hotel. There is still time to register for the conference sessions and networking lunch and breaks - register on-site at the Al Manaar Ballroom in The Yas Hotel on Thursday 25 February or contact the Superyachtevents Team on +44 020 7924 4004 or +44 7595062848

We look forward to seeing you in Abu Dhabi!