The Gulf Craft stand was a hive of activity as I arrived to meet the company Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show. With two new launches amongst their 12-strong fleet on show, including the Majesty 111 and the brand new explorer Nomad 101, there was lots to talk about.

As Mr Alshaali explained ‘’Dubai is our home show and one of the most important dates on the calendar for us.’’ From fishing boat manufacturer to superyacht builder, in 40 years Gulf Craft’s evolution has been vigorous and intrinsically entwined with the expansion of nautical infrastructure in the Gulf region. As the company enters a new era of dynamic expansion, pushing boundaries in core areas of Technology, Sustainability, Global expansion and Next Generation, it’s clear to see why “Legacy in Motion” was chosen as its new strapline.

“At Gulf Craft, we never shy away from out-of-the-box thinking. This innovative spirit inspired our growth from a builder of small fishing boats to one of the world’s leading yacht builders. The Majesty 111 and the Nomad 101 are a nod to our legacy while reflecting a bold, forward-thinking stance.” explains Alshaali.

“At Gulf Craft, we never shy away from out-of-the-box thinking…”

In 2022 Gulf Craft not only celebrated its 40th anniversary, but also doubled its order book across the range of brands – luxury composite Majesty Yachts, Oceangoing explorers Nomad, Sports cruisers Oryx, and Sports fishing Silvercraft.

Also in 2022, Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali was personally honoured with a prestigious NORNS Award for his longstanding vision and remarkable contributions to the world’s leisure marine industry in the Middle East over the last forty years. Mr Alshaali’s pioneering work and relentless efforts contributed to create sustainable growth for the maritime industry and lead Gulf Craft to become a key pillar of the manufacturing industry.

Founded in 1982 by the Al Shaali family, Gulf Craft began as a small boat-building workshop in the coastal city of Ajman. In the early years, the focus was on building small fishing boats, pleasure crafts, and commercial vessels for the local market. However, as the UAE began to experience rapid economic growth, the demand for luxury yachts increased. This led Gulf Craft to expand its product range and invest in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.
In 1992, Gulf Craft launched its first luxury yacht, the 36-foot Majesty, which quickly gained popularity among yacht enthusiasts in the region. Throughout the 2000s, Gulf Craft continued to innovate and expand its product range.

“….the Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production yacht.”

In 2009, Gulf Craft introduced its flagship Majesty 135, which was at the time the largest yacht ever built in the UAE (since overtaken by the Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production yacht). This marked a significant milestone for Gulf Craft solidifying the company’s position as a leading superyacht manufacturer. The company also expanded its manufacturing facilities with a new state-of-the-art shipyard in Umm Al Quwain, UAE which can build yachts up to 175 feet, as well as a smaller production facility in the Maldives. Gulf Craft also has its eye on a European production facility to meet increased demand.

Gulf Craft’s continued commitment to maritime infrastructure in the region has been led by the Chairman’s vision and valuable strategic partnerships, including with the Dubai Maritime City Authority, resulting in the development of a strong Dubai Maritime Cluster. Dubai Harbour is where this year’s DIBS was held and has an impressive 700 berths, highlighting the appetite for all things nautical. The yacht charter market in the region is also expanding. Driven by young marine enthusiasts, many more HNWI are turning to charter large luxury yachts not only to explore new cruising grounds but also for events and gatherings. This has translated into a much-increased demand for luxury vessels.

As I finish up the much shorter than scheduled meeting with Gulf Craft Chairman (I had to make a hasty exit before a surprise visit from the Emirati Royals) I asked Mr. Alshaali what keeps him motivated and innovating after 40 years in the business. He took a moment to catch my gaze before he said ”Because I still absolutely love it.” And with that, our time was up as the entourage proceeding the visit from the Emirati ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived.

“Legacy in Motion”

As I walked off the stand and slipped off my shoes to board the newly launched Majesty 111, I couldn’t help but think that passion, expertise and innovation really do filter down from the top at Gulf Craft, and that’s certainly ‘Legacy in Motion’ right there.