ART Marine, a leading marine hospitality company in the Middle East, has announced the launch of an international yacht brokerage service, ART Marine Brokerage, as a new independent division within the company.

ART Marine was established in Dubai in 2005, with the senior management team having been actively involved in all aspects of yachting in the region since 1996. 

ART Marine is the world’s largest dealer of Azimut motor yachts, a position that it has held for the last two years and also distributes Benetti luxury mega-yachts, Atlantis and ZEN sport yachts as well as Riviera Sport Fishing yachts.

Captain Alessio Tumbiolo, ART Marine CEO, said, "Due to the recent increase in the number of quality pre-owned yachts in the region, ART Marine has established a distinct yacht brokerage division that is able to cater to the needs of a growing contingent of clients."

"The unit will come handy for those who are either interested in purchasing a new yacht but need to dispose of their existing yacht or who are interested in purchasing larger pre-owned yachts that are available for sale in the local and international markets."

As a provider of yacht sales and after-sales services, ART Marine has offices throughout the region and is able to provide professional back up and yard services to yacht owners throughout the Mena region at short notice, said a company press release.

Iain Lawrie, a veteran in yacht brokerage sector, has been roped in to head the ART brokerage division owing to his extensive experience in the yachting generally and specific knowledge of the brokerage industry.

Iain’s experience spans over 20 years, having initially worked as a captain for a number of years before acting as a consultant on the production of Bulk Carriers at the world renowned Harland & Wolfe shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is famous for having built the Titanic.

During his time at Harland & Wolfe, Iain worked closely with Den Norske Veritas the worlds’ largest Ship Classification Society & ISO (International Organization for Standardization), being part of the team responsible for bringing the Shipyard to ISO 9000 compliant status.

For the past 12 years Iain has focused on yacht brokerage, working for Koch Newton & Partners in the USA and Spain and more recently for Merle Wood & Associates, the world’s global leader in Mega Yacht Sales, where he was responsible for establishing new business contacts and with whom he is still closely affiliated.

Having been involved in all aspects of yachting throughout his career Iain will ensure that clients looking for the right product to meet their needs do not have to deal with the learning curve normally associated with this search.

Being permanently based in the Middle East, Iain will be able to personally see to a client’s needs whilst successfully concluding the purchase or sale of a client’s vessel on an international basis, through his network of global contacts, in an efficient and effective manner.

This division offers world-class yacht brokerage services to clients, follows the construction of new yachts on behalf of clients and offers charters on the world’s finest motor yachts.-TradeArabia News Service