Emirati superyacht builder Gulf Craft has opened a permanent base on Monaco’s doorstep at Cala del Forte marina in Ventimiglia, with its chairman insisting that conflict in the Gulf has done nothing to slow the building or delivery of its yachts.

The showroom, run by Gulf Craft’s Italian dealer Jonacor Yachts, was officially opened on Friday 13th November with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a briefing at the Marina Club Café and private tours aboard Rocket One, a 37-metre Majesty 120 tri-deck superyacht moored in the harbour for the occasion.

Bringing the Emirates to the Riviera

For Mohammed Alshaali, founder and chairman of Gulf Craft Group, a permanent office in Ventimiglia brings the UAE-based shipbuilder closer to its European clients after two decades of exhibiting at the Cannes and Monaco boat shows.

“I believe it’s a very central location, which I hope connects us to yacht owners, to yacht users, to everyone in this region,” Alshaali told Monaco Life, pointing out that Nice is 45 minutes away and that both Monaco and San Remo can be reached in 20 minutes.

Rather than managing European relationships remotely from Dubai, the company will use the office for direct sales, client meetings and after-sales support. “Now we want to have a place, an office, where we can connect directly with our clients,” said Alshaali. “We have a physical meeting point for us and our clients.”

Business as usual despite Gulf tensions

Alshaali, who arrived in Ventimiglia following the Qatar Boat Show, used the inauguration to address the conflict in the Middle East, saying Gulf Craft’s production and delivery schedules remain unaffected.

“Despite all the talk about the war in the Gulf and everything, we are building yachts, we are showcasing yachts, and we are delivering yachts, business as usual,” he said. Referring to the transport of eight vessels from the UAE to Qatar the previous week, he added: “Others may destroy, but we build. Dubai has experienced this many times and bounced back. So I want to assure you that, as usual for us, we will continue to do so without hesitation.”

Gulf Craft, which builds its vessels in-house to keep control of costs, timelines and quality, is preparing for a busy Mediterranean season. According to the company, the newly launched Majesty 145 is on its way to the region for a December arrival, while the new Majesty 160 is scheduled to make its European debut at the Monaco Yacht Show next September.

A catalyst for Ventimiglia

Guests were also given a closer look at Cala del Forte itself, the 178-berth marina funded and operated by Monaco. According to the marina, it can accommodate vessels of up to 76 metres, with plans underway to extend capacity to 80 metres.

Around 13km from Monaco and a 15-minute crossing on the Monaco One fast shuttle, the marina offers 40-year berth concessions alongside a subleasing programme that it says returns up to 90 per cent to owners.

Anita Amalberti, Business Development Manager at Cala del Forte, said the marina’s arrival has triggered a wider economic shift in Ventimiglia, a border town long in need of regeneration. “Monaco invested in creating this marina, and the entire surrounding territory has benefited from it,” Amalberti told Monaco Life. She explained that the port operates 12 months a year, with 170 security cameras, six restaurants, a crew gym and a small shipyard.

Beyond the quayside, she pointed to a series of high-end projects in the area, including waterfront redevelopments, an international school and the transformation of the historic Albergo Calì into a four-star hotel. Monaco’s role in the town’s transformation was also highlighted by Ventimiglia’s mayor, as reported by Monaco Life.

“The port was the driving force and the very first stepping stone used to develop high-end tourism in the area,” said Amalberti. “In four to five years, Ventimiglia will make a major quality leap, with Gulf Craft and Jonacor Yachts now firmly part of its next chapter.”

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Mohammed Alshaali, founder and chairman of Gulf Craft Group, and Olga Rehbein, Managing Partner of Jonacor Yachts. Main photo credit: Virginia D’Umas