The first boats are expected at the new marina at The Wave by December, as Dubai-based operator Mourjan Marinas IGY looks to develop the site for nautical tourism as part of its GCC network.
Expected to be completed on schedule by the end of 2011, the first phase of the 400-berth Almouj Marina will feature a 40m fuel dock, VIP berthing for 'mega-yachts' as well as a dinghy ramp for Oman Sail Matthew Bate, director of operations at Mourjan Marinas IGY, told Muscat Daily that 35 piles have so far been driven into the marina basin to house the floating pontoon structure, the first shipment of which is currently on its way to Oman from Canada.
He said, "This means we are on target for a number of berths to be ready by December. By January, 113 berths will be ready, but we will commence bringing boats into the marina in December."
Bate added that although the company has no plans to manage other marinas in the sultanate, Mourjan is looking to expand its network of marinas across the GCC and promote nautical tourism across the region.
He said, "A large part of our business will be based on charter boats or visiting vessels. In fact we have received a lot of interest from UAE-based residents who would be looking to keep their boats here. "The air fares are affordable, it is only a 45-minute flight and The Wave is so close they could be on their boat within literally three hours of leaving Dubai."
The early demand for the marina has been 'fantastic' according to Bate, who added that the marina will begin to address the lack of berth space in the GCC which has been hampering growth of the industry.
He said, " We are introducing a product that has not yet been seen in Oman. One of the issues faced by the industry, and which has slowed growth, is there are no marina berths left.
"For the industry, it was difficult to grow because people were not buying yachts as they had nowhere to put them. What we are finding now is interest from existing boat owners, and also people who have wanted to move into a larger yacht or at least buy a yacht and secure a place they call home."
© Muscat Daily 2011
