A luxury yacht company from Poland will soon open a ship building yard in Ras Al Khaimah.
Sunreef Yachts is set to open its first overseas centre in the UAE to cater to rising demand from the Middle East and Asia.
The company counts tennis star Rafael Nadal and Formula One champions Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg as clients.
“UAE and Dubai are great because this is a rising market,” Francis Lapp, president and founder of Sunreef Yachts, told The National in an interview in Gdansk, Poland at the company headquarters.
It is a Dh100 million investment. We will start with 50 people and in two, three years maybe we move up to 600 or 800 people
Francis Lapp,
Sunreef Yachts
“In Ras Al Khaimah we will make the same luxury catamarans that we make here in Gdansk.
“It is a Dh100 million [$27.2m] investment. We will start with 50 people and in two, three years maybe we move up to 600 or 800 people.”
The company has a centre in the northern Polish port city with more than 1,000 employees for in-house design and production of the sleek yachts.
At its workshops on the Baltic Sea coast, compact 50-foot to transatlantic 140-foot twin-hull catamarans are tailor-made for each client.
Links to big buyers
Mr Lapp said while other European ship makers have often based their second facility in Turkey, he saw better opportunities in the UAE.
“I believe it will be a very strong market to reach Australia, the Oceanic region, the Middle East and countries like India and China also,” he said.
“Also, I know the people in Ras Al Khaimah, it’s a good place.”
Poland accounts for more than half of the European Union’s yacht exports, according to European Union 2021 data.
The country is the world’s eighth-largest exporter of yachts and produces about 22,000 motor, sailing and luxury vessels, of which 95 per cent are exported.
Big buyers of Polish yachts are in Europe, Turkey, Russia, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Thailand and the Middle East.
Sunreef has offices in Gdansk, Dubai and Miami and specialises in twinhull catamarans that enthusiasts say offer more stability and larger living space than traditional yachts.
Floating villas
Billed as luxurious holiday ‘floating villas', the sleek models feature polished walnut wood, natural oak interiors with muted rose gold and brass finishing, gleaming granite counter tops in expansive kitchen and dining areas.
The yachts are fitted with en suite cabins, walk-in wardrobes, large windows in fully equipped gyms for ocean-view workouts, sun decks, a spa pool and lounge areas that double as outdoor cinema space.
Jet skis are stored in garage cubicles in larger yachts, while hydraulic platforms can be lowered to create a walkway and have a beach club setting for deep sea entertainment.
The RAK shipbuilding yard is part of the company’s expansion plans to cope with increased orders and a growing appetite for luxury travel.
There has been a surge in sales of superyachts during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the wealthy purchasing boats to avoid travel restrictions.
The trend is expected to continue with an increased demand for exclusive locations away from the crowded holiday destinations in the post-Covid travel boom.
Superyachts are defined as boats longer than 24 metres or 78 feet that typically need a crew and have price tags that start from $2 million, rising to well over $20 million.
Sales of luxury vessels rose more than 8 per cent in the first nine months of 2021 from the same period pre-pandemic in 2019, according to Superyacht Group, an industry publication.
Eco catamarans
At the Gdansk yard, engineers and workers were busy readying fully customised vessels.
“We inject superyacht quality into multihull architecture,” Mr Lapp said.
“We are so excited about renewable energy, green tech in our design. It’s a new journey on ultra-modern solar catamarans.”
Twice F1 champion Alonso was in Dubai recently for the sailing of Sunreef’s latest release.
The all-electric yacht promises quiet, fuel-free cruising and integrates ultralight solar panels in the entire body across the hull, mast and roof.
Propulsion is 100 per cent electric and when using the sail, the vessel generates power from the motion of propellers.
Alonso has commissioned his first yacht from Sunreef — an eco-electric catamaran that he wanted to combine green technology, lifestyle and comfort.
“I really wanted to build a catamaran because I wanted to enjoy more space and all the other advantages that multihull bring,” he said in a statement.
“My vision was a luxury craft of the highest quality.
"This will be my first yacht. I want the yacht to always be ready to go. Sometimes I will go out into the sea spontaneously so I want to make sure the yacht is reliable."
Two years ago, tennis star Nadal and his wife were closely involved in the look of the multi-hull 80-foot yacht designed for long cruises that he ordered for his 38th birthday.
He struck off add-ons such as an outdoor Jacuzzi for wider, open spaces and chose subdued grey and beige tones for the interior.
Named Great White, the yacht helped him unwind with family during breaks from his tough training regime.
“As someone from an island as I am, the sea is part of our lives,” he said in a statement at the time.
"I wanted to feel like in my own house."
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Rating: 4/5
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
RACE CARD AND SELECTIONS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
The National selections
5pm: RB Hot Spot
5.30pm: Dahess D’Arabie
6pm: Taamol
6.30pm: Rmmas
7pm: RB Seqondtonone
7.30pm: AF Mouthirah
