Superyacht owners from the Middle East own the longest and most luxurious yachts in the world, according to the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss).

As many as 193 superyachts, or 12 per cent of the global fleet of yachts over 40 m in length, are owned by people from the Middle East with an average length of 63 m – the highest in the world, the Monaco-based association said.

“The Middle East is one of the traditional markets for the superyacht industry. Most of the world’s largest yachts have been delivered for this region, and the historic demand from this region has been vital for the growth of this sector,” says Theo Hooning, Secretary General of SYBAss.

“The demand for superyachts from the Middle East can be classified as fairly stable over the years, while others may have been more volatile, and we have hopes that the stability and demand for superyachts in the Middle East will continue as is,” says Hooning.

SYBAss will again represent some of the world’s leading superyacht builders at next month’s Dubai International Boat Show, bringing them together in one dedicated platform at the ‘Superyacht Life’ area of the show’s marina display. The show is one of few in the world with SYBAss endorsement, which was granted in 2011.

The superyacht market is now the strongest it has been since 2009, with research from Boat International claiming more superyachts are being built around the world now than at any time since the end of the global financial crisis. 

Its 2016 Global Order Book – the pinnacle report for global yacht builds – found that 755 superyachts of 24 m or longer are on order this year, up from 734 in 2015.

The market has also been boosted by the growing demand for explorer yachts as owners seek to visit remote destinations, according to Boat International, with an increase of 17 per cent on last year’s explorer yacht builds.

“We noticed the trend towards long-range and fuel efficient yachts several years ago and used the Dubai International Boat Show in 2015 as a platform to premiere our Nomad Yachts range of long-range explorer yachts.. We know that yacht owners are not only wanting to venture further out to sea, but also stay out longer. This is the idea behind our Nomad Yachts brand, and why we’re seeing a solid interest in the Nomad 75 from across the high-net-worth marine leisure players,” says Erwin Bamps, CEO of UAE-based superyacht-builder, Gulf Craft.  

“We have supported the show since its creation 24 years ago, and we continue to see it as our platform to profile ourselves not only to the region, but to the world. It’s why we’ve chosen it to unveil new concepts and our newest superyacht to the world, and why we will always see the show is a crucial partner in our success,” added Bamps.

Dubai International Boat Show has long recorded strong participation of high net worth individuals (HNWIs), defined as having investable finances in excess of $1 million. More than 20 per cent of its overall annual attendance comes from HNWIs seeking to enter, or broaden, the marine lifestyle. 

“The strength of our superyacht offering and of the quality of superyacht exhibitors continues to draw some of the wealthiest boat owners and buyers from around the world, many of whom are already here in the Middle East and closely associate our annual event with the many global and regional boat launches that take place over the week here each year,” says Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Dubai International Boat Show.

Now in its 24^th edition, the show will be held at the Dubai International Marine Club in Mina Seyahi from March 1 to 5. It is open trade visitors and the general public from 3 pm to 9.30 pm daily, with a single entry ticket costing of AED60 ($16).