Built in 2006, the 162-metre superyacht Dubai currently holds the fourth position in the world’s largest superyachts’ ranking. Accordingly, the vessel belongs to one of the most premum owners, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.


Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Born in 1949, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was appointed Crown Prince of Dubai in 1995, while in 2006 he became prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates, after the death of his elder brother.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the one to support the development of the Palm Islands, the Burj Al-Arab hotel, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the Dubai World Cup and the Godolphin Stables, as part of the mission to transform Dubai into a lush and desired business location.



A number of businesses and economic assets of Dubai were created by two companies under the Sheikh’s ownership, Dubai World and Dubai Holding. The first one consolidates real estate, logistics and other business investments in the USA, the UK, and South Africa. The second one develops and manages hospitality, business parks, real estate, and telecommunications through different operation units.

What is more, Sheikh Mohammed holds in Meraas Holding that develops a number of retail, lifestyle and themed complexes in Dubai, including Legoland and a Bollywood movie theme park.



Sheikh Mohammed was also responsible for some of the significant steps of the development of the UAE, including the launch of Emirates Airline and development of two airports in Dubai. 

During the 1970s, taking the position of the head of the Dubai Defence Force and the Minister of Defence, Sheikh Mohammed, among other things, led the development of Dubai’s civil aviation, with the first Emirates flight conducted in 1985. Furthermore, in 1989, Sheikh Mohammed inaugurated the first Dubai Airshow: in 2013 the exhibition had grown to over 1,000 exhibiting companies.



In 1991, Sheikh Mohammed merged the port of Jebel Ali, together with the free trade zone located in the port, and the port of Rashid, creating the Dubai Port Authority. In 1999, he founded Dubai Ports International, which in 2005, together with the Dubai Port Authority, was transformed into the port operator DP World. In less than four years, DP World has been able to become one of the top three port operators in the world.

In 1999, Dubai Internet City (abbreviated DIC), a free economic zone of Dubai, was created under the management of developer TECOM Investments, a member of the Dubai Holding group. Currently, more than 1,100 companies are registered on the territory of Dubai Internet City. 



In November 2000, the Dubai government created the Dubai Media City free economic zone Dubai Media City, which serves as a starting point for the development of the UAE media, which became the regional centre for hosting news agencies, publishing houses, interactive media, and advertising organisations. production and broadcasting activities.

In 1995, an idea of ​​building 'the most luxurious hotel in the world’ - Burj Al Arab - came to the mind of Sheikh Mohammed. The grand opening of the hotel took place in December 1999, part of Jumeirah tourist group.



In 2010, Dubai saw the opening of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, currently the tallest building in the world. With 163 floors and 828-metre-tall structure, Burj Khalifa was reported to cost $ 20 billion, becoming a key part of Dubai’s business centre.

Another attraction, Palm Islands, the project of an archipelago of artificial islands is being implemented by Nakheel Properties. When all the planned Dubai islands are built, the territory of the emirate will increase by more than 500 square kilometres.



As to his personal life, Sheikh Mohammed has 16 children. Recently, his name has been hitting media headlines with one of the most viral scandals connected with the royal family, as his wife Princess Haya fled Sheikh Mohammed’s palaces in Dubai with two children, seeking political asylum in Britain.


M/Y Dubai

The ruler’s superyacht, Dubai, was constructed jointly by German leading ship builders Blohm + Voss and Lurssen. She was further transported to Dubai on a floating dock, where local yard Platinum Yachts completed the build and interior design.

It is speculated that the original order for Dubai had been placed by the Prince of Brunei. It was however suspended in 1998 (bare hull completed) and finally sold to the Dubai government. 



Dubai features a beam of 22.4 metres and a draft of 5 meters, with interior volume of 12,488 tones. Accommodating for 24 guests in 12 cabins all with open balconies, the yacht features a 21-meter atrium, a swimming pool, cinema, black hawk landing platform, submarine garage and a dance floor. 

Additionally, the superyacht disposes of her own specially constructed berth island next to Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island, in front of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s summer palace.

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