P&O Marinas has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Pindar Yacht Management FZE (PYM), for the development of a water sports academy, a recreational club, an exhibition space and a range of associated marine leisure services and facilities.

Under the agreement, PYM will bring its experience as an international sailing business and brand to support the transformation of the P&O Marinas facility into a world-class recreational hub for the sport and the wider yachting industry.

In addition, PYM will organise sailing and promotional activities using its two Volvo Ocean Race Yachts, customised and branded to P&O Marinas’ marketing purposes. The yachts, Mina and Marina, will be moored at Mina Rashid Marina.

Mina Rashid Marina has a track record of growth in the UAE as a Regional Marine Community hub. The main driver of which is P&O Marinas’ desire to develop this important segment of the market, especially in terms of infrastructure, as well as supporting the promotion of Dubai as a global destination for tourism.

Mohammed Al Mannaei, CEO, P&O Marinas and Executive Director, Mina Rashid, said: “The partnership between P&O Marinas and Pindar Yacht Management sets the stage for the next phase in the development of Mina Rashid Marina, and provides a boost to our on-going work of transforming it into the region’s largest and best superyacht destination.

“We are confident that Mina Rashid Marina will continue to grow in a post-pandemic scenario, as Dubai, the region and the UAE begin gathering momentum for economic recovery. Our partnership with Pindar Yacht Management is designed to contribute to Dubai’s future plans to position itself as the leading marine leisure hub for the region.”

 Andrew Pindar, Chairman, Pindar Yacht Management, said: ”We are delighted to be part of this exciting new development in the region. The facilities at Mina Rashid Marina are second to none, not only in terms of the infrastructure on shore, but also the superb sailing opportunities. P&O Marinas’ vision and mission are very much in line with those of Pindar Yacht Management and we are very much looking forward to being part of the process to develop Mina Rashid Marina as a true global yachting destination.”

Following Mina Rashid Marina’s success in attracting some of the world’s largest yachts over the last few seasons, P&O Marinas has extended its management and operations to an additional four marinas across Dubai, creating lifestyle destinations for yachting enthusiasts.

Mina Rashid Marina has a track record of growth in the UAE as a Regional Marine Community hub. The team is currently revisiting the calendar of sailing events for this year so that P&O Marinas is able to welcome the world’s international regattas across their marinas, once the racing is able to resume.

P&O Marinas is a DP World company established to develop world-class locations for marinas and the hospitality of their owners, captains, guests and the local residents. After the successful experience of Mina Rashid Marina (Dubai, UAE) where the company offers berths for some of the world’s largest yachts, P&O Marinas extended its management and operations to four marinas in Dubai. Its ongoing focus is to expand and create lifestyle destinations for yachting enthusiasts, local residents and tourists.

Pindar Yacht Management FZE comes with a background history of 15 years working in the region, both in Bahrain and more recently in Abu Dhabi, working with the local community to develop and increase interest in the sport. The Pindar name has been synonymous with the marine industry for nearly 40 years, when Andrew Pindar, then managing a successful fourth generation family-owned printing business, spotted an opportunity to sponsor The North Sea Yacht Race. Central to the early sporting campaigns, was the theme of offering talented individuals and teams the chance to fulfil their sporting potential. Successful examples such as Emma Sanderson (née Richards) who, in 2003, became the first British woman and youngest ever competitor, to complete the gruelling solo round-the-world yacht race, ‘Around Alone’, led to the ‘Pindar’ name being sailed around the world an incredible seven times on various campaigns, including a team entry in the 2004 BT Global Challenge and in 2008, with Brian Thompson in the Vendée Globe.

WAM