Gulf Craft marks 20 years of manufacturing in the Maldives

One of the world’s premier boat and yacht manufacturers, Gulf Craft, is marking 20 years of its operation in the Maldives which has played a pivotal role in developing the marine transportation network of the island nation.

Gulf Craft provides almost 80% of the Maldives’s water transportation services which

includes public transport, coast guard, emergency & ambulance services, resorts,

and leisure boats. With a strong and established presence in the country, Gulf Craft

is now developing a new production facility dedicated to the manufacturing of

vessels for use in the Indian Ocean which will see its operations and production

capacity double within 16 months.

In early 2021 the shipyard was awarded a government contract, thru MTCC, to

manufacture a fleet of specially designed high-quality speed boats for use across the

Integrated National Public Ferry Network. The new speed boats will offer a

convenient and efficient transportation system to all administrative islands of the

Maldives, with capabilities to transport up to 53 passengers at a time and will

connect the capital city to nearby islands. The vessels will be equipped with special

packages for passengers travelling in emergency situations and will include access

for stretchers and people with disabilities. The public transportation project is one of

the largest government initiatives and will contribute to connecting the various

islands of the Maldives upon completion.

Gulf Craft’s Chairman, Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, said: “The Government of the

Maldives and its people have constantly been a beacon of support since the

establishment of our operations without whom this remarkable feat would not be

possible. We are grateful to the Maldives for entrusting Gulf Craft with projects that

have played a part in the growth of the nation over these twenty years. The Maldives

is our first international destination, where we have built in-country competencies by

leveraging the opportunities that the country provides for the marine and tourism

sector. With the doubling of our production capacity and the new training facility we

hope to serve the local community even better through the creation of new job

opportunities and in further boosting tourism.”

Gulf Craft established its operations in the Maldives with a 100,000 square foot

manufacturing facility that has produced top-quality pleasure boats and rapid

transport vessels. Gulf Craft is now focusing on further expansion of its operations in

the Maldives to support the government’s strategy to strengthen the tourism sector.

This will be driven by doubling its production capacity in the country and by giving

back to the community through the new training facility for captains and crew.

Last year Gulf Craft announced that it will invest in a strategic development in the

Maldives named ‘Gulf Lagoon’. The project will feature a state-of-the-art

manufacturing facility, a marina for seafarers and live-aboards, a maritime school

offering captain/crew training for young Maldivians, and a resort, among others.

Founded in the United Arab Emirates in 1982, Gulf Craft has over 1000 employees

across its three facilities in the UAE and the Maldives and has a manufacturing

capacity of 200 boats per year. The company has built more than 10,000 boats

already, serving clients around the world.