There is a common thread running through Gulf Craft’s history—one that, over time, has come to define its vision: growing by investing in people. This philosophy has allowed the Emirati shipyard not only to establish itself in yacht construction, but also to shape its corporate culture. It is within this context that the recent recognition at the 2025 Emirates Labour Market Awards arrives, where Gulf Craft won the prize in the Manufacturing category, standing out among nearly 1,800 companies evaluated across the country.
The ceremony took place on November 13 in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This achievement speaks not only to production and industrial results, but also to the relationships, training, and attention devoted to human capital within the company.
A working environment built over time
This is not a sudden milestone. Within the shipyard, people’s growth is considered an integral part of technical development. This was highlighted during the award acceptance speech by Yousuf Alshaali, Office Manager to the Chairman, who emphasized that what emerges “reflects the environment we build around our employees”. It’s not a theoretical concept, but a concrete approach that involves both management and operational staff in a continuous exchange between craftsmanship, technological development, and internal advancement. Training, cultural inclusion, working conditions, and the ability to innovate were among the key criteria considered by the Award’s jury — elements that, at Gulf Craft, are real investments in the company’s long-term continuity.
Gulf Craft, the value of people at the center
During internal briefings, Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali often repeats a phrase: “Take care of your people, and your people will take care of you”. A vision that, despite its simplicity, has guided the company through more than four decades of activity.
This award seems to confirm it. It is not only a recognition of corporate practices, but of the consistency of an entire journey — the commitment to building an environment where craftsmanship, innovation, and responsibility meet, and where production capacity is born from a balance between technical expertise and people’s well-being.
Gulf Craft, a signal for the entire industry
Although linked to employment policies, the result has a broader significance. In the industrial landscape of the United Arab Emirates — increasingly aligned with international standards — Gulf Craft stands as an example of how technological evolution cannot be separated from organizational evolution. The award in the Manufacturing category thus becomes an indicator of transformation: it tells the story of a shipyard that continues to grow through its people, strengthening the connection between expertise, work, and long-term sustainable development.
