Nobiskrug Managing Director Holger Kahl speaking to The Peninsula. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah / the peninsula
As the Middle East has anchored itself among the most important superyacht market in the world, a global market leader said Qatar has all the potential to contribute to the larger share of global yacht market. Doha has emerged as the main centre for all marine leisure activities, he said.
With fantastic waters and a world-class infrastructure, Qatar can help enhance the region’s leisure tourism proposition, Holger Kahl, Managing Director of Germany’s superyachts builder Nobiskrug said.
Nobiskrug, a regular attendee at top global boat shows, including Monaco Yacht Show, is making its debut at the 6th edition of Qatar International Boat Show. The 22nd century superyachts builder Nobiskrug is credited with the delivery of more than 800 vessels and numerous conversions to date.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Kahl said : “ Qatar is a very interesting and fascinating spot. We have lot of interests in Qatar. The architecture I see in this marina gives me assurance that the country is very much interested in the development of a perfect marina. Nobiskrug has been in the yacht business for several decades and Qatar is really an interesting market for us”, he said. Waterfront development of residential properties that we see here is ideal for increasing the demand for private boats and yachts.
On the market opportunities in Qatar, Kahl said opportunities for Nobiskrug in Qatar are something very special. “As a market leader, we don’t offer any products that you can buy straight from the shelf. We are interested in delivering something that really matches to the dreams of our customers. We can make, develop fantastic exteriors or just interiors or both of them combine and create something what exactly our clients are looking for as they can enjoy on the sea”.
Kahl, reticent on disclosing numbers, said Nobiskrug normally does not share details of the potential customers and the market enquiries and possible demands. “There is a reason why we are here and I am also appreciating the interests of the country in our products. Our products are really ‘Made in Germany’ and they are of course top in the world.”
The superyacht market has its own rules. It doesn’t really care about whether the economy is growing or slowing down, stock markets surge or dip. “As long as we have projects and as long as we are building yachts we are creating these things. We are absolutely happy with the market. But to answer your question specifically, Qatari market is very promising for us.”
On Nobiskrug’s deal expectations from Qatar International Boat Show, he reinstated: “Look, we are indeed really silent on deal makings at Shows. But of course, we have lot of interests in Qatar and we are sure lot of contacts will come to us and we will initiative talks and meet prospective customers.”
The boat market in Qatar is an import-dependent market with 3,500 leisure boats and 5 full service marinas. Outboard powered small boats form 90 percent of the total boat market in the country. Qatar is developing marinas, coastline developments to promote the boat industry as a part of its efforts to diversify the economy, Frost & Sullivan noted recently.
The region accounts for 12 percent of the world’s superyachts , which denotes that the individuals in the region have a high propensity to buy. The marine infrastructure development and evolution of tourism are expected to open up new opportunities in the boat market.
