Gulf Craft Shipyard in Umm Al Quwain hosted the latest Customer Council of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), led by H.E. Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Undersecretary of MoIAT, and attended by H.E. Hisham Al Amiri, Deputy Head of Government Services at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Before the conference, the honoured guests toured Gulf Craft’s manufacturing facilities and stepped aboard the Majesty 120, gaining first-hand insight into the company’s yacht-building operations and capabilities. The Council then brought together manufacturers from Nothern Emirates to discuss improving government services and supporting industrial growth.
Advancing Manufacturing Through Innovation:
In his welcome address, H.E. Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman of Gulf Craft Group, highlighted the company’s approach to technological innovation and artificial intelligence.
“We are honoured to have hosted this Customer Council at Gulf Craft Shipyard in Umm Al Quwain, and we thank the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology for choosing Gulf Craft for this occasion. It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, H.E. Hisham Al Amiri and all the distinguished guests to our shipyard. With 44 years of manufacturing experience, we continue to embrace technological innovation to strengthen our capabilities and advance our operations. Our AI Programme focuses on empowering our people, improving operational efficiency and ultimately building better yachts.”
The discussion aligned with MoIAT’s efforts to improve the delivery of government services through direct engagement with manufacturers and investors. H.E. Hasan Al Nowais highlighted the Councils’ role in identifying unnecessary procedures and accelerating transactions, enabling businesses to focus on production, expansion and growth.
Hassan Khalid Sabt, Director of the Government Services Department and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at MoIAT, also outlined the Ministry’s use of Agentic AI to improve access to information, accelerate transactions and provide more proactive support.
Supporting the UAE’s Industrial Ambitions:
The Customer Councils contribute to the second phase of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, which aims to eliminate at least 2,000 government procedures and reduce service completion times by at least 50%. The initiative supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the Make it in the Emirates initiative.
For Gulf Craft, hosting the Council provided an opportunity to demonstrate how an established UAE manufacturer is applying AI across its operations while contributing to the country’s wider industrial ambitions. The session also reinforced the importance of collaboration between government and industry in translating feedback into practical improvements for businesses.
About Gulf Craft:
Gulf Craft is a key player in the global leisure marine industry, with expertise in the design and production of superyachts, yachts and leisure craft, supported by advanced manufacturing facilities and shipyards across the UAE and the Maldives. Gulf Craft combines this with a full-spectrum of marine services, including maintenance and refit capabilities.
Its state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facilities include a 43,000 sq m shipyard in Umm Al Quwain and an additional facility in Ajman, UAE. Since 2002, Gulf Craft Maldives has also operated a 9,000 sq m manufacturing and servicing facility in the Maldives, with a brand new 73,000 sq m facility set to launch soon.
The Gulf Craft Group oversees the Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and SilverCat brands, with vessels ranging from 35 to 180 feet, embodying advanced composite technology, powerful engineering, and world-class craftsmanship.
Guided by visionary leadership and driven by a passionate multinational team, Gulf Craft continually pushes the boundaries of design and performance. This commitment is exemplified by the flagship Majesty 180, the world’s largest composite semi-production superyacht.
Since its founding in 1982, Gulf Craft has been at the forefront of innovation, solidifying its international presence through a robust dealership network.
To date, the company has built over 10,000 yachts and boats. Its vertically integrated manufacturing model offers full control of cost and quality, and an unrivalled capability to build semi-custom superyachts for yachting enthousiasts worldwide. www.gulfcraftgroup.com
