Ordinary billionaires settle for a superyacht, but the Qatari royal family bought an entire marina in Spain and upgraded it just so their $500 million megayacht can dock in secrecy on their frequent summer retreats from Doha's blistering heat
This week, one of the most extraordinary vessels on the water, Al Lusail, the private superyacht of the Emir of Qatar, was spotted sailing along Spain's Mediterranean coast, drawing awe from onlookers and yacht enthusiasts alike. The 123-meter floating palace made a quiet return to Port Tarraco Marina, one of the few Mediterranean ports specifically equipped to accommodate vessels of its scale and stature. Interestingly, the port was previously owned by Qatar.
Designed for privacy, security, and world-class luxury, Al Lusail is among the most technically advanced and visually distinctive superyachts in the world. Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen and delivered in 2017, the vessel boasts sleek, futuristic lines penned by British design studio H2 Yacht Design, with a lavish interior by March & White.
The yacht features multiple swimming pools, a helipad, cinema, beach club, and expansive lounges tailored for relaxation and discreet meetings at sea. Though full details remain a closely guarded secret, Al Lusail is believed to accommodate up to 36 guests in absolute comfort, attended to by a highly trained crew.
Its arrival at Port Tarraco, located in Tarragona just an hour south of Barcelona, is more than a picturesque stop along the Mediterranean. The marina itself has a quiet but notable history, originally developed with the capacity and infrastructure to berth some of the world's largest private vessels, Al Lusail included.
In fact, while not officially confirmed, industry insiders often suggest that the marina's impressive specifications were influenced, at least in part, by the needs of the Qatari royal fleet during its original development in the early 2000s.
With 33 berths ranging from 45 to 160 meters, Port Tarraco is one of the few facilities in Spain and indeed the broader region that can comfortably receive multiple 100-meter-plus yachts at once. Its deep-water access, high-capacity shore power, and advanced security systems make it ideal for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking discretion, safety, and elite service. It was indirectly under the ownership of the Emir after it was purchased by the Qatari Diar Fund in 2011.
Despite its past ties to Qatari investment via the Qatari Diar Fund, the port was sold in 2020 to Spanish marina operator Ocibar, who now manage it alongside other premier facilities such as Port Adriano and Marina Botafoc.
Click here to read more…
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Biz Bahrain
16 hours ago
- Biz Bahrain
Global School Management Announces Strategic Growth Investment from BDT & MSD Partners
Global School Management (GSM), a leading global education and technology company, announced a strategic growth investment from BDT & MSD Partners. The investment will support GSM's continued international expansion and further development of its integrated online platform and curriculum offerings. Founded by Ron Packard in 2014, GSM's mission is to deliver a world class American, British, and International Baccalaureate education to children from zero to 18 years old anywhere in the world, in a brick-and-mortar, online, or hybrid modality that best meets the needs of each student. Safanad, a principal investor and business builder focused on integrated investment and operational excellence across multiple sectors, served as the founding investor in GSM. Today, the company operates more than 190 schools and serves approximately 55,000 K-12 students across the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. GSM is recognized for its fully integrated AMP ecosystem, a proprietary platform that combines curriculum development, advanced reporting and analytics, and scalable operations to deliver exceptional student outcomes across diverse geographies and learning environments. Ron Packard, Founder and CEO of GSM, said: 'This investment marks a new chapter in GSM's growth journey. With the continued backing of Safanad and strategic support from BDT & MSD, we will further scale our model to meet the growing global demand for high-quality education through cutting-edge technology and curriculum.' 'We are proud to welcome BDT & MSD as an investor alongside us in GSM,' added Kamal Bahamdan, Founder and CEO of Safanad. 'This partnership reflects our shared vision for the future of education and our deep respect for the GSM team's innovative approach.' BDT & MSD is a merchant bank that works with business owners and founders to support their long-term strategic and financial goals. The firm's investment reflects its conviction in GSM's differentiated education offering and experienced leadership. 'We are pleased to support GSM's mission of enabling access to high-quality education at scale,' said Chris Gleysteen, Managing Director at BDT & MSD. 'We have great admiration for what Ron and the GSM team have built and look forward to our partnership with Safanad to fuel this next phase of GSM's growth.'
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain-UK agreement: What Happens Next?
TDT | Manama A day after the landmark Bahrain-UK defense agreement was signed, key strategic details are now emerging, outlining plans for deeper military coordination, stronger maritime security, and the United Kingdom's significant move into the Bahrain-USled Comprehensive Security and Prosperity Agreement. The agreement, formalized during the official UK visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Deputy, Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, signals a further strengthening of the Kingdom's longstanding strategic relationship with Britain. It specifically highlights critical areas of future cooperation and mutual benefit. Maritime partnership His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defense Affairs, emphasized that maritime security has emerged as a central component of the agreement. Plans are in place for intensified naval exercises, coordinated joint patrol operations, and enhanced maritime surveillance involving Bahrain Defense Force and British armed forces personnel. 'The signing of this defense cooperation agreement is rooted in our distinguished partnership, continuously strengthened under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister,' stated Al Nuaimi. He noted that expanding maritime cooperation is essential to maintaining regional stability and addressing evolving security challenges in Gulf waters. Trilateral expansion Another critical dimension unveiled in the agreement is the UK's access to the Comprehensive Security and Prosperity Agreement, previously a bilateral arrangement between Bahrain and the United States. This significant strategic step positions the UK firmly within a trilateral security framework, broadening collaborative defense and security operations in the region. 'The United Kingdom's inclusion, based on invitations extended by Bahrain and the United States, will elevate our joint security coordination and open broader avenues of cooperation, enhancing the mutual security interests of our nations,' Al Nuaimi explained. Deep-rooted alliance The Defense Minister also underscored the historic depth of the Bahrain-UK relationship, recognizing Britain as one of Bahrain's most vital strategic allies. He credited the ongoing strength of this bilateral partnership to decades of effective military and strategic cooperation between the two countries. As Bahrain and the UK now transition from signing agreements to executing strategic plans, expectations are high for tangible results, particularly in maritime security, joint military training, and broader defense coordination.
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Strategic Breakthrough
TDT | Manama HRH CP Unlocks UK Alliance, Secures Landmark Pact His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has cemented a new chapter in relations with the United Kingdom, during a visit that saw the signing of major defence and investment deals and renewed calls for regional de-escalation. His Royal Highness met with the UK's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at No. 10 Downing Street yesterday. The talks were among the first held by the newly elected British government with a foreign leader. Both sides reaffirmed the momentum in Bahrain–UK ties, driven by economic cooperation and strategic alignment on regional issues. HRH Prince Salman noted the steady growth in bilateral relations under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty King Charles III. Major deals signed The two countries signed a Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership (SIP2) expected to channel £2 billion from Bahrain's private sector into the UK. The funds will target sectors including financial services, technology, manufacturing, and carbon reduction initiatives. A Defence Cooperation Accord was also signed, aiming to deepen interoperability between Bahrain and the UK armed forces. The agreement will build on joint naval operations and strengthen commitments to regional peace and security. The agreements were signed in the presence of senior ministers including His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy, and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, along with Bahrain's Minister of Defence Affairs Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi and UK Defence Secretary John Healey.
