Al-Futtaim Group launches leading-edge leisure marine company

Al-Futtaim Group today announced the launch of Al-Futtaim Marine, a premium marine services company. The company was launched at the Dubai International Boat Show taking place from March 13 - March 17 2012 at the Dubai International Marine Club.

The new company will offer new and used yacht brokerage and sales, maintenance and repair services, insurance, charter, marine consultancy, sales of new engines plus sales of marine components and accessories to the UAE market.

Al-Futtaim Marine will be located facing the 78-berth Festival Marina, the luxury yachting facility at the heart of Dubai Festival City. The present offices will eventually be part of a grand structure featuring a yacht chandlery and a full-service yard equipped with a marine travelift for lifting yachts of all sizes.

Located approximately five nautical miles from the sea, within the historical Dubai Creek, Festival Marina links the old and new Dubai. Festival Marina is a Mediterranean inspired marina that features 78 permanent berths with state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate yachts from 10 to 35m in length. Visiting yachts can moor directly at the quayside allowing passengers to go ashore and enjoy a day at Dubai Festival City offering fine dining, shopping and five-star accommodation.

The new company will be administered by Al-Futtaim's Automotive Group and will further enhance Al-Futtaim Group's family-owned enterprise that spans more than 65 companies in sectors as diverse as commerce, industry and services.

Len Hunt, President, Al-Futtaim Automotive Group said Al-Futtaim Marine adds another exciting dimension to the Group's businesses.

"Al-Futtaim Marine is a milestone development in the Group's strategy and signifies the beginning of an extremely exciting time for the marina and marine services industry in the region," Mr Hunt said. "Our vision is to be the marine company of choice by providing advice and experiences that are valued and remembered, while also adding a new dimension to Dubai's maritime offering."

Toby Scruby, General Manager, Al-Futtaim Marine said his team is already in place to offer customers personalised attention with mobile maintenance and repair services, new boat sales, brokerage, charters, finance and insurance, and later this year a chandlery and maintenance facility.

"Al-Futtaim Marine challenges the regional marine maintenance reputation with superior, premium marine services. It does this through guardianship and accountability of customers' yachts, and also as the custodian of the marine brands it works with. The Al-Futtaim Marine team has vast experience in the boating business in the UAE and the Middle East and we hope to become the UAE's-and ultimately the region's-- largest recreational boat and yacht retailer," said Mr Scruby. "

Al-Futtaim Marine is an authorized dealer for Honda Marine and Yanmar Marine engines.