Monaco of the Middle East

MORE than 30 annual contracts for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina have been signed over the past three months, including one by the owner of a 95-metre motoryacht. The 56-year-old Indian industrialist became an annual tenant after attending last year’s Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix.

“It was the owner’s decision because he has an interest in F1 and obviously Yas Marina is at the heart of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix track and has fantastic facilities,” says Captain Jari Lindgren. “It’s an economic solution because he has so many yachts. When we are not using the berth for the F1, maybe another yacht will be here during the monsoon and use the same berth.”



According to Lindgren, the cost is competitive when compared to somewhere like Thailand, especially for a superyacht of 95 metres. He said the marina reviewed its rates after last year’s F1 and reduced them to align with other marinas. The move has proven positive, resulting in 32 annual contracts signed since February.

The Middle East’s answer to Monaco, Yas Marina is the first marina built specifically for superyachts, with 143 yacht berths from eight metres to 90 metres and additional visitor berthing for superyachts up to 150 metres. This year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place 4 to 6 November and Yas Marina has announced that it is now accepting expressions of interest for berths for the event.

According to Cedric Le Rest, general manager at Yas Marina, since releasing the rates during the Dubai Boat Show last month, the marina has already had 50 yachts officially express interest. “The marina is world class and has all the amenities we need,” says Lindgren. “They can receive sewage and waste and give you shore power, which is particularly important for us as not many marinas can give shore power to a yacht like ours. The staff here are very friendly and helpful and we have a very good relationship with the guys here.”



The trackside berths have good views of the racetrack, while those who do not have a trackside view can watch the event on screens around the marina. Owners and guests can also walk alongside the track and sit just three metres away from the action. Le Rest explains that superyachts will be allocated a number of guest and crew passes for each day as well as car passes for the premises. In terms of entertainment, there are seven hotels on the island with their own clubs and bars, Stars ‘n’ Bars, Allure nightclub, Cipriani restaurant as well as Yas Links Golf Course and Ferrari World. For charterer Marco Saviozzi, having attended the F1 events all around the world, Yas Marina offers the best facilities. “I go to Monaco, Valencia and Singapore and it’s the best marina,” he says. “The best setting and the best access by far.”



With one of the longest high seasons in the world and 200 natural islands to cruise around, Abu Dhabi has much to offer owners and guests, Grand Prix aside, promises Le Rest. But ultimately, for most owners, it is all about the Grand Prix. “[On a perfect day] the owner would start the day with the F1 and end with F1,” says Lindgren. “He loves this event.”

---

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.