A fleet of yachts have been arriving at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023. Taking place on the Red Sea Coast, the event will attract some of the largest yachts in the world as well as top superyacht charter brokers and their clients.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has a big ambition to make his country a global luxury yachting destination. The nation is leveraging its huge oil revenues to boost tourism and entertainment. While mega-projects like the 170km Line city are years away, the kingdom is already attracting western sailors who come for the exotic cruising and authentic culture.
The country has a lot to offer yachtsmen, from buzzing cities and exclusive resorts to stunning scuba diving and ancient history. Its vast coastline offers up a mix of idyllic beaches and rocky desert terrain as well as an ever-increasing number of private islands and resorts.
Among the most intriguing new destinations is AMAALA, a massive development along the northwestern shore of the Red Sea. It’s designed to serve as a luxury yachting hub with a focus on health and wellness, Arabic heritage and a supreme commitment to sustainability.
Located in Jeddah, the first phase of the project will have an 86-berth marina and is scheduled to open next year. The developers are targeting high net worth individuals and “young people with the potential to become future wealth generators,” according to Robert Mogielnicki, senior resident fellow with the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
Aside from its futuristic architecture and expansive amenities, AMAALA is attracting interest because of its proximity to pricey European yachting destinations. The project is a flagship of the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to boost the economy with diversification.
Rising with the swaying waves on Saudi Arabia’s North Western Red Sea coastline, AMAALA is being built as a yachting destination that will facilitate life-changing experiences. This ambitious and innovative Triple Bay Yacht Club is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to make Saudi Arabia a global luxury yachting center by 2020.
In a move that will further increase its appeal to yachtsmen, a state-owned company has announced plans to build the world’s largest luxury cruise ship. The 550-meter Pangeos will be shaped like a turtle and be capable of accommodating 60,000 passengers. It’s expected to take eight years to complete the vessel, which is being designed by the Italian firm Lazzarini.
The first of the Pangeos ships will be a 134-meter yacht that will be owned by the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The current ruler is renowned for his taste in luxury, having chartered the two superyachts Lightning and Serene.
The first ship will be launched in 2022, and the second is scheduled to follow in 2024. The pair will be outfitted with the latest technology and are intended to be a showcase for what is possible in terms of design, comfort, safety and environmental sustainability. saudi arabia yachts