On the Rise: First-ever Yacht Chartering Licences Issued by Saudi Red Sea Authority

A new vista has dawned upon the marine world as the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has granted its first three yacht chartering licences. This groundbreaking move comes in anticipation of a surge in demand fuelled by the commencement of Sindalah and the advancement of other developments in the initiative. The chosen few to hold the maiden licences are Hill Robinson Saudi, Faisal M. Higgi & Associates, and JLS Yachts. These prestigious entities now have the authority to transform the Kingdom’s Red Sea region into a paradise for yachting enthusiasts, operating under the Large Yacht Chartering Regulation formulated by the SRSA.

Treading more milestones, the authority has recently granted marina operator licences for the first time to Al-Ahlam Marine to enrich the seas of Yanbu and Al-Lith. The Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, sporting the proud insignia of Sela, a Public Investment Fund company, has been crowned as the first international marina in Saudi Arabia to claim an operator licence.

However, the SRSA stands tall with its moral duties towards Mother Nature, as it claims that environmental protection plays a key role while the region transforms into a hub for superyachts. Backing its statement, it has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Environmental Compliance with a prospective dream of developing technologies to monitor and reduce pollution, efficiently manage surrounding marine ecosystems, and streamline the environmental permitting process. This joined venture is not only aimed to preserve the marine environment but also significantly reduce pollution caused by yachts. Additionally, it paves the way for collaboration on research, disaster readiness planning, capacity enhancement, training, and public awareness programmes to sustain long-term environmental protection.