SANDY NASHED SHARES ROMEO MARINE’S VISION FOR GLOBAL GROWTH AND SUPERYACHT INNOVATION
Sandy Nashed, Head of PR at Romeo Marine, discusses the Dubai-based shipyard’s international ambitions, evolving yacht owner expectations and the innovative vision behind Romeo 55 and Romeo 60.
As Dubai continues to strengthen its position in the global superyacht industry, Romeo Marine is establishing its identity through distinctive design, advanced engineering and exceptional craftsmanship.
In this exclusive interview, Sandy Nashed, Head of PR at Romeo Marine, shares the company’s strategic priorities for 2027, the importance of international boat shows in building lasting industry relationships and its commitment to creating bespoke superyachts that combine luxury, innovation and technical excellence.
The Gulf region is witnessing a growing number of international boat shows, particularly in Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. How important are these events to Romeo Marine’s growth strategy, and to what extent do they help the company connect with potential clients?
International boat shows are an important part of Romeo Marine’s growth and positioning strategy. They provide a platform not only to introduce our yachts, but also to establish our identity, demonstrate our capabilities and build credibility within the international superyacht industry.
Our participation in the Monaco Yacht Show in 2025 was a particularly important milestone. It allowed us to introduce Romeo Marine to an international audience and demonstrate that Dubai has the infrastructure, engineering expertise and craftsmanship required to build sophisticated steel-and-aluminium superyachts. And our participation in the MYS 2026 has established that we are serious and keep our promise of delivering the Romeo 55 thanks to our leadership and hardworking team.
Regional exhibitions are equally important, particularly as Dubai is our home market. They allow us to strengthen relationships with yacht owners, brokers, designers, industry partners and other stakeholders.
For Romeo Marine, these exhibitions are not simply marketing events. They are strategic opportunities to establish our position in the industry, develop meaningful relationships and reinforce Dubai’s growing presence in the international superyacht sector.
DIBS is a special boat show for us as we are proud to be one of the largest steel hull aluminum super structure in the Region and proudly born in Dubai. Dubai born Ocean bound. Showcasing our Romeo 55 world premier means alot to us and we have been supported sp much by the Dubai infrastructure and business environment it is our opportunity to express our gratitude by raising the UAE flag in the super yacht industry via Romeo 55.
Beyond showcasing yachts and promoting brands, to what extent do boat shows in the region generate actual sales opportunities and help establish long-term relationships with prospective yacht owners?
In the superyacht industry, the purchasing process is fundamentally different from that of conventional luxury products. Commissioning or acquiring a superyacht is a significant investment, often involving an extended decision-making process and a high level of trust between the owner and the shipyard.
Boat shows play an important role in initiating and developing these relationships. They provide opportunities for private discussions, introductions through brokers, technical presentations and direct engagement with prospective owners.
However, we believe that measuring the success of a boat show exclusively through immediate sales would be misleading. The real value also lies in the quality of relationships established, the credibility gained and the opportunities that develop over time.
At Romeo Marine, we approach exhibitions with a long-term perspective. Our objective is to establish trust, demonstrate our capabilities and build relationships that can eventually translate into yacht commissions and lasting partnerships.
What are your key marketing priorities for 2027? Are you planning to expand into new markets beyond the Middle East?
Our strategic marketing direction for 2027 is centred on strengthening Romeo Marine’s international positioning and building upon the visibility established through our participation in suitable boat shows.
A key priority is to move beyond brand introduction towards greater recognition of Romeo Marine as a credible superyacht builder with the engineering capabilities, production facilities and craftsmanship to compete internationally.
Romeo Marine is proudly based in Dubai, and with ambitions suited for the Global market . We do not view ourselves as a shipyard serving only the Middle Eastern market. Superyachting is a global industry, and our approach to business development reflects that.
What are the main trends and requirements you are observing among yacht buyers in the region, particularly in terms of yacht sizes, design preferences, and onboard lifestyle?
The superyacht market is increasingly focused on personalization, comfort, privacy and the overall onboard experience.
Owners are looking beyond traditional luxury finishes and placing greater emphasis on how a yacht accommodates their individual lifestyle. This includes flexible entertainment areas, generous outdoor spaces, private family accommodation and a seamless relationship between interior and exterior environments.
Another important consideration is the intelligent use of space. Owners increasingly appreciate design solutions that create a sense of openness, natural light and residential comfort without compromising the yacht’s technical performance or functionality.
At Romeo Marine, these principles are reflected in our design philosophy and who we choose to collaborate with. We believe that a superyacht should offer the comfort and sophistication of a private residence while retaining the engineering integrity and performance expected of an ocean-going vessel.
Ultimately, yacht design should respond to the individual owner’s preferences rather than follow a single regional or global formula.
The Romeo 55 is one of the company’s key projects. What are its most distinctive features in terms of design, interior spaces, and technical specifications?
Romeo 55 represents an important milestone for Romeo Marine and demonstrates our approach to combining ambitious design our founder and CEO Nader Nashed’s design philosophy brings to life : more space, greater height, generous volume and luxurious, high-gloss finishes. With a length of 54 metres and over 870 GT, the yacht places spaciousness and natural light at the heart of the onboard experience.
This philosophy is particularly evident in the owner’s suite, where a ceiling height exceeding 3.3 metres and a 6 m² skylight create an exceptional sense of openness. The view of the sky visually extends the space beyond its physical boundaries while filling the suite with natural light.
In the main saloon, floor-to-ceiling glazing connects the interior with the surrounding seascape, while an LED ceiling panel evokes the movement of the ocean. A feature wall designed by Pulina, meticulously hand-carved and finished with a liquid-metal patina, adds a distinctive expression of craftsmanship.
As for construction a steel hull and aluminium superstructure underpin this architectural vision, bringing together structural strength, generous enclosed spaces and the elevated proportions central to Romeo Marine’s approach to yacht design.
Looking ahead, does Romeo Marine plan to expand its yacht portfolio to include different sizes and categories?
Romeo Marine’s development strategy is focused on establishing a distinctive portfolio of superyachts that reflects our capabilities in engineering, design and bespoke construction.
Following Romeo 55, our portfolio has expanded with Romeo 60, a superyacht project that further develops our approach to onboard comfort, spatial planning and operational efficiency.
Romeo 60 incorporates a design philosophy centred on hull efficiency and hybrid operating modes, offering different operational configurations to address comfort, range and efficiency requirements.
Our objective is to develop yachts that respond to evolving owner expectations while maintaining the quality and individuality associated with the Romeo Marine heritage and values.
We believe that sustainable growth in the superyacht industry is built on credibility, engineering excellence, craftsmanship and the ability to deliver a truly individual product.
