JEDDAH: The total number of marina berths in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2012 as the Kingdom continues its rapid growth in the leisure marine industry. According to a recent study by Mike Derrett Marine, a leading independent marine industry consultancy, an average of around 10 units a week will be added over the next two years to accommodate the nation's growing leisure fleet and attract overseas boating tourists. The increase in additional berths will help to moor an extra 1,000 boats by 2012, an increase of 10 percent, driven by planned seaports and marinas, making the Kingdom's marine sector a significant investment opportunity for domestic and foreign markets. Saudi Arabia currently has 10,000 boats measuring 5 meters or more in length, and is second only to Kuwait in terms of boat population in the GCC. The Saudi International Boat Show 2010, the second edition of the Kingdom's only international leisure marine and tourism festival, will help to drive that investment in Saudi Arabia's boating market, estimated at SR500 million by Alkhorayef Commercial Marine Division, one of the top Saudi companies participating in the event. The four-day show that will conclude Saturday (Dec. 11) 2010 at the Al Furusya Marina & Yacht Club in Jeddah brings together more than 135 world class international companies and brands, and an expected 30,000 visitors to forge new partnerships and develop business prospects. Abdulla Qassem, senior vice president, Dubai World Trade Center, organizer of the event, said "the increased investment in the GCC leisure marine market provides excellent domestic and international opportunities, and the Saudi International Boat Show is ideally placed to help drive the industry within the Kingdom. "The caliber of exhibitors and the products and services that are being showcased indicate an extremely healthy market and a very bright future for marine businesses across Saudi Arabia. The superb marina developments, the rapid rise in the number of boat owners and the increasing attraction of Saudi Arabia as a marine leisure destination are attracting some of the most respected and established companies to the Saudi International Boat Show. Many of them are exhibiting in the Saudi market for the first time, investing an industry which has the potential to be a significant economic factor within the Kingdom." The show hosts the biggest marine and leisure supply companies and distributors, with more than 135 local, regional and international brands seeking to capitalize on the boom in the Kingdom's boating market. Participating top industry players include Al Ahlam Marine Tourism Group, Al Khorayef, Al Shaali Marine, ART Marine, Blue Limits, Dream Divers, KB Marine, Luxury Sea Boats, Mega Marine, Princess Yachts and Saudi Yacht, Sea Pros Yachts, Trinity Yachts, Westport and many more.
