Amid the bustling docks of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, greets visitors with the confident smile of someone who understands the rhythm of the international market and can anticipate its next moves. Just days before the Qatar Boat Show, where the Emirati shipyard will unveil the new Nomad 101, Bamps speaks enthusiastically about a season full of projects, evolutions, and new milestones for the group.
“The Nomad 101 is an updated version of an existing model, the largest in our Nomad Yacht series – explains the CEO – We first introduced it to the Qatari market back in 2005, and it was met with great enthusiasm by an audience looking for yachts that weren’t just as beautiful as our Majesty line, but also designed as places to welcome friends and family, with generous indoor and outdoor living spaces”. Today, Gulf Craft returns to that market with a renewed model ready to impress once again. “Qatar is the second most dynamic boating market in the Gulf after Dubai, which is practically our home turf, and we want to showcase all the latest additions to our range there: Majesty, Nomad, Oryx, and the new SilverCat power cats”.
Gulf Craft, a year of success and recognition
Gulf Craft’s energy has also made an impact in Europe, where the shipyard has experienced a season full of achievements between Cannes and Monaco. “We brought two iconic models to the Cannes and Monaco Yacht Shows: the Majesty 100 Terrace and the Majesty 120 – says Bamps – The 120 wasn’t a premiere, but it continues to be highly appreciated on the global market, especially in the Mediterranean, where it’s in great demand for charter. The 100 Terrace, on the other hand, represents a new generation within the Majesty range”. The idea, he explains, was to showcase two complementary design visions from Gulf Craft: “Many visitors moved between the 120 and the 100, discovering just how diverse our design approach can be and how customizable each yacht truly is”.
Success also came in the form of awards: in Cannes, Gulf Craft received two prestigious World Yachts Trophies for the Majesty 100 Terrace (Best Evolution) and the Majesty 112 Terrace (Best Semi-Custom Yacht). “It was an honor to win with a model — the 112 — that we hadn’t even officially presented yet, either to the European or American markets. This yacht will be introduced in the United States next year in collaboration with Denison and represents one of the most anticipated projects of 2026”.
From tradition to diversification
Gulf Craft’s path has never been linear, but rather strategic. “Our strength lies in diversity – says Bamps – In the Middle East and in emerging markets, there’s never a consistent volume in any single segment, so having a range that spans from fishing boats to superyachts allows us to stay competitive even when demand changes”.
Today, as the SilverCat catamarans and Oryx sport boats attract new customers, the group continues to evolve. “In the United States, we’re recognized as a major player in the superyacht segment, and we’ll keep strengthening this position. But we’ll soon be introducing the Nomad brand as well. We believe there’s huge potential for this kind of yacht, especially here and in Asia”.
Bamps’ vision is clear: bringing yachting to new audiences by adapting products to their context. “In markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, or the Red Sea, a superyacht culture doesn’t yet exist. There, our smaller boats like the Oryx and SilverCat are perfect for introducing people to the sea. Our goal is to get people on the water — not just to sell boats”.
Catamarans, comfort, and new trends
According to Bamps, the market is changing rapidly. “The catamaran is a growing phenomenon, even though it’s been around for a long time. People are increasingly looking for space, stability, and comfort. Twenty years ago, the first question was ‘How fast is this boat?’. Today it’s ‘How comfortable and how quiet is it?’ It’s the triumph of quiet luxury”.
For Gulf Craft, this evolution comes naturally: “Comfort has become an absolute priority, and efficiency, thanks to the hull design, follows as a natural result. Customer preferences have shifted, and we’re moving along with them”.
The new Gulf Craft SuperYacht Service Center
Among the company’s most significant projects is the new SuperYacht Service Center (SYSC), a facility entirely dedicated to refit, maintenance, and technical support, recently inaugurated in the UAE. “It’s not enough to build a great product — you also have to ensure its upkeep over time – explains Bamps – Many owners want to enjoy their boats, not worry about managing them. And we want to offer them a complete service, even for brands other than our own”.
The new division, the CEO emphasizes, is a strategic step: “SYSC wasn’t created as an add-on service but as an independent business unit. It’s a way to extend the life of boats, preserve brand value, and at the same time take a more sustainable approach. After all, the most eco-friendly boat is the one you don’t have to build from scratch”. A philosophy that fully reflects Bamps’ vision: “Refit is a form of circular economy — renewing, improving, and extending the life of yachts. We’re not just talking about building in a greener way, but about making better use of what already exists”.
Gulf Craft, a horizon in motion
2025 has been an intense year for Gulf Craft, but as Bamps says with a smile, “It’s too early to draw conclusions — we still have many goals ahead of us”. Having returned to lead the group six months ago, after an initial 17-year tenure, he describes this phase as his “version 2.0”.
“I see more opportunities ahead of us than behind – he says – Partnerships like the one with Denison are strategic — they help us grow and bring a new vision of yachting to the global market”.
The schedule for the coming months is packed: “After the Qatar Boat Show, we’ll head into the January and February events — Thailand, Düsseldorf, Miami. We’re constantly on the move, looking at markets across three continents at once. Dubai is our home base, but also a global hub, like Singapore or New York: from there, we observe and learn from every ocean”.
Looking at the future, Bamps gives a preview of the next challenges: “In 2026, we’ll launch the Majesty 112 and Majesty 145 in Europe and the United States, while the Nomad 101 makes its debut now in Qatar. Then we’ll introduce new developments for Oryx and SilverCat, which we’re currently testing in the Middle East before bringing them to Europe and America. And in the meantime, we’re building new shipyards”.
He concludes with a touch of humor: “I hope to spend more time building boats than building shipyards! But that’s Dubai — always looking forward, never stopping. We don’t talk about problems, only opportunities. And that’s the most exciting part of our job”.
