Gulf Craft
Privately held | |
Industry | Boat builder |
Founded | 1982 |
Headquarters | Ajman, United Arab Emirates |
Key people | Mohammed Hussein Alshaali (Chairman), Erwin Bamps (Chief Executive Officer) |
Products | Majesty Yachts, Oryx, Silvercraft, Nomad Yachts and Utility Series |
Services | Fiberglass, Semi-customized |
Website |
www |
Gulf Craft is a major manufacturer of luxury yachts and fiberglass boats. The company’s headquarters are based in the United Arab Emirates, just north of Dubai. Gulf Craft operates from three shipyards in the UAE and one in the Maldives. The company is currently listed among the world’s top 10 superyacht builders (as per the 2014 Global Order Book, a report issued annually by the Boat International Group.)[1]
History and Expansion
Gulf Craft was founded in 1982 in the United Arab Emirates by the Alshaali brothers- Mohammed, Abdullah and Jamal and their friend Dr. Mohammed Hamdan. Mohammed Hussain Alshaali currently serves as the Chairman of the company.
In June 2014, Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer of the company since 2009, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Craft.[2]
Gulf Craft started as a manufacturer in the small open boat category. It now has a global presence, including mature markets like Europe and Australia.
In 1992, Gulf Craft expanded its product range into larger fly-bridge designs using inboard diesel installations.
With a growing range of boats and yachts approaching 100’ in length the new millennium saw Gulf Craft sell to Europe and many of it Majesty Yachts fleet are present in the marinas of France, Spain and Italy. The expansion into larger yachts and new markets after 2000 saw production facilities expand and a new shipyard was developed at Umm Al Quwain with the capacity to manufacture superyachts up to 155 feet (47 m) in length.
Manufacturing Facilities
Gulf Craft operates four manufacturing facilities – two facilities in Ajman, UAE, which also includes a service centre, a 100,000 square foot facility in the Maldives and a 462,000 square foot facility in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, equipped with a 150-ton and a 500-ton travel lift and two launching bays. The company currently employs close to 2000 people across its three facilities. The company uses advanced manufacturing technologies such as sandwich construction, vacuum infusion processes, and water-jet drives engineered on large yachts.
Brands
- Majesty Yachts: Gulf Craft launched its range of luxury fly-bridge yachts under the name of Majesty Yachts in 2004. Majesty Yachts offers an extensive range of yachts from 48 feet (15 m) to 155 feet (47 m) under one roof. At the top-end of the current range is the Majesty 135 which was launched at the Dubai International Boat Show 2012. Gulf Craft is currently constructing the Majesty 155, the largest luxury yacht ever to be completely fabricated in the Middle East region. The project has been announced for a 2015 launch.[3]
- Oryx Sport Yachts & Cruisers: In 2006, Gulf Craft introduced the Oryx line of sport yachts and cruisers. Starting from the Oryx 27 sport cruiser, the range extends to larger size sport cruisers such as the Oryx 36 and Oryx 42 as well as the Oryx 43 Fly.
- Silvercraft: The Silvercraft series was officially launched in 2008 to represent the wide and diverse range of smaller fishing boats and family cruisers manufactured by Gulf Craft. Silvercraft offers a family of center console fishing boats and multifunctional walkaround cruisers for sport fishing enthusiasts worldwide. Silvercraft cruisers can currently be found in countries as diverse as Australia, South Africa and Norway, in addition to Asia and the Middle East.
- Nomad Yachts: The Nomad Yachts is a brand of explorer-type yachts under Gulf Craft that offer long-range, fuel efficiency. The range consists of Nomad 55, Nomad 65, Nomad 75 and Nomad 95.
- Utility Series: The Utility Series serves as a passenger and multipurpose transportation vessels. The range consists of the Touring 31, Touring 36, Touring 38, Touring 40, Touring 43, Touring 45 and Waveshuttle 56.
After-Sales Services
Gulf Craft provides a range of after-sales services including exterior, mechanical, electrical, interior, fabrication and berthing related services at its facilities in the UAE and in all countries it currently distributes its products.
Internal Certifications
Gulf Craft products are manufactured in accordance with international maritime and industrial standards such as ABS, MCA and others. All yachts bearing the Majesty Yachts brand are CE certified. The Majesty Yachts shipyard in Umm Al Quwain UAE is fully recognized by Bureau Veritas Marine Division General Condition’s society for the construction of reinforced plastic hulls as per Bureau Veritas Mode 1 Survey Scheme (1993). The shipyard received the certification in 2006.
The shipyard is also fully recognized by RINA for the construction of reinforced plastic hulls in conformance with RINA pleasure craft rules chapter 3, section 3.1. The shipyard received the certification in 2006.
Awards & Accolades
- 1992 - Awarded International Gold Star Award for Quality from Gulf News, Gulf Enterprises in Madrid, Spain
- 2004 - Silvercraft awarded “Best Exhibitor” at the India International Boat Show in Kerala, India
- 2006 - Receives the Ajman Excellence Award in the Largest National Factory Category
- 2007 - Awarded the “Best Local Boat Builder” at the Arabian Gulf Yachting Awards in the Best Powerboat Yacht in the Middle East Category
- 2008 - Won “Best Boating and Yachting Video” at the 2nd International Maritime Awards by Marine Biz TV
- 2008 - Won “Best Motor Yacht in the Middle East over 100 feet” at the Arabian Gulf Yachting Awards
- 2009 - Won “Best Asian Motor Boat Builder for 31-50 feet” at Asia Boating Awards in Shanghai
- 2009 - Gulf Craft Service Centre Maldives awarded by the Maldives Police Service for excellent service rendered
- 2009 - Gulf Craft Service Centre Maldives awarded by the Maldives National Defense Force for excellent service rendered
- 2010 - Gulf Craft awarded with “Innovation and Excellence Award” and Gulf Craft Chairman receives “Life Achievement Award” at World of Yachts Recognition Awards
- 2010 - Won “Motoryacht of the Year for Majesty 125” at Arabian Gulf Yachting Awards
- 2012 - Won China Yachting Award for Luxury Vessels over 80 feet (24 m)
- 2013 - Won “Best Asia Built Yacht” at Asia Boating Awards for the Majesty 135
- 2013 - Won “Best New Building Yard” at the 6th Marine Biz TV international Maritime Awards
- 2013 - Won ‘Best Local Boat Builder 2013’ by Boat Owner Middle East
- 2014 - Won “Best Asian Yacht Builder of 15-24m” at the Asia Boating Awards
- 2014 - Won "Best Production Fiber Vessel 5 m-24 m" during the Marine Expo in Maldives
- 2015 - Won "Best Asian Built Yacht" for the Majesty 122 in Hong Kong during the Asian Boating Awards
- 2016 - Won "Best Asian Motor Yacht Builder" at the Asian Boating Awards
- 2016 - Won "Quality & Value Award" for the Majesty 122 at the World Superyacht Awards