Dr Rainer Behne, Chairman of BehneMar Yachting, showed enthusiasm and passion for what he does as he talks to XPRESS about the super yacht M/Y Sapphire — Trinity 50 metres, which is on display at the Dubai International Boat Show 2013.
Priced at Dh100 million(about N4.3bn), he is sure that a buyer will soon snap it up as the market for super-yachts is currently on a high in the UAE.
A look inside this yacht — decked in opulent interiors — and it’s hard not to think of it as your luxury dream home.
“The market for super-yachts today is huge. In 2000, we were exporting 70 per cent of our yachts to other countries. However, from 2006 onwards, the number massively dropped by 20 per cent as more and more wealthy businessmen wanted to own a yacht in the UAE,” Sultan Alshaali, CEO, Al Shaali Group, said, adding, GCC markets, especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, have shown considerable interests in super-yachts.
The super yachts on display at Dubai International boat show are every rich man’s dream and the companies at the show to sell yachts are optimistic of great sales.
Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft, said: “Buyers today are far more intelligent. They know what they are buying and this has triggered some serious interest in the market. While the market for yachts in the price range between $1 million and $4 million dollars has slowed down, anything more or less is in huge demand.”
The Dubai International Boat Show is on till Saturday (March 9) between 3pm and 9.30pm at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), Mina Seyahi.
Admissions are for Dh60 (about N2,600) per person. For children under 12 years, the entrance is free. At the show, 430 boats and 19 super-yachts are on display.