A new $22 million shipyard is to be developed in Qatar following an agreement between Qatar Navigation Q.P.S.C. (Milaha) and Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ).
The new Milaha Yacht Yard will be located at the Marsa Port within Umm Alhoul Free Zone and span 22,000 square meters.
The yard is set to include two covered sheds, three workshops, and an expansive open yard, making it an suitable for a wide range of services.
The project seeks to meet the increasing demand for maintenance services for luxury yachts, naval ships, and wooden boats – traditional dhows – as well as refits, exterior upgrades, modifications, and repairs.
The agreement was signed at the Qatar Boat Show and is aimed at continuing the development of Qatar’s maritime sector by fostering innovation and creating new investment opportunities in the region.
“We are working to develop Marsa Port at an accelerated pace and aim to achieve multiple milestones in the near future as part of our commitment to enhancing the infrastructure in our free zones,” said H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ.
This agreement will enhance the efficiency of maritime industry operations at Marsa Port.
Fahad Bin Saad Al-Qahtani
“We are confident that these steps will create an attractive investment ecosystem that will not only boost opportunities in the maritime industry and yacht tourism but also promote sustainable economic growth, strengthening Qatar’s unparalleled connectivity to the world.”
He added: “This will highlight Qatar’s position as a preferred destination for international maritime companies and as a unique regional hub that supports growth and expansion throughout the Middle East.”
Fahad Bin Saad Al-Qahtani, Milaha Group CEO, added: “This agreement will enhance the efficiency of maritime industry operations at Marsa Port and elevate the level of services provided by Milaha, aligning with international best practices.
“It leverages the port’s exceptional advantages, most notably its strategic location in the business-friendly Umm Alhoul Free Zone, positioning it as a premier hub for regional and international maritime operations.”
Marsa Port is located adjacent to Hamad Port greenfield seaport, close to Doha city.
The portl has a 7.5 metre deep draught and can be used for variety of activities including ocean vessel building and repair, internal design and fit-out, ship provisions supply, safety training, boat brokerage as well as maritime research.
The port’s Synchro Lift is designed to accommodate vessels more than 70 meters in length and weighing more than 2,200 tonnes,
The new shipyard will also feature a travel lift designed to handle vessels up to 30 meters in length and weighing up to 300 tonnes.
