Duboats to expand network with new offices in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

Duboats, a leisure boat company established in January 2003 by the Bin  Zayed Group, has announced ambitious plans to expand its presence through the Gulf region with the establishment of new offices in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

"In its first year of operations in UAE's leisure boat market, Duboats has met its objective of creating a niche for customised world class yachts targeted at discerning marine sports enthusiasts," said H.E. Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nahayan, Chairman, Duboats. "The winning of the overall honours, as well as the first place, for the President's Trophy in the Dubai-Muscat passage Sailing Regatta, has further leveraged our position as a company driven by a passion to excel in our chosen sport. The time is now right to unfold our expansion plans for the Gulf region."

"Our expansion plans are aimed at the dual objectives of bringing the best international sailing boats to the region and to raise the profile of marine sports among the Gulf sailing community," added Sheikh Khaled. "The sailors from the region have garnered long years of experience and the in-depth knowledge required to excel at sea. With abundant talent, good sailing arenas and high quality marine crafts available locally, it is the right time for the region to host international competitions."

Duboats was established to cater to the increasing demands of Middle East's fast growing leisure boating market and made its debut at the Dubai Boat Show 2003. The first office was set up in Dubai, another Duboats office opened its doors recently in Qatar and the company has plans to open offices in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, in the next six months.

Duboats has a portfolio of sailing crafts from Ferretti, Pershing, Lagoon and Beneteau. After the launch of six new models from the Beneteau range in Dubai, in January 2004, the company recently added the Bertram fishing boat range to its collection. It has plans to launch another high-quality craft from Ferretti in the near future. The yacht that won the Dubai-Muscat Passage Sailing Regatta, Duboats Racing, is a First 36.7 model from Beneteau. Skippered by H.E. Sheikh Khaled, on his first major ocean race, the craft showcased the capabilities of the Duboats portfolio of crafts in an international sporting event.

At the Dubai Boat Show 2004, Duboats showcased the Pershing 50 and Pershing 76, the Ferretti 590 and Ferretti 620, Lagoon Power Cat 43 from Lagoon, Power Antares 9.80 and Antares 13.80, as well as 2 Sailing yachts, the First 27.7 and First 36.7, from Beneteau.