News

The World’s Largest Wooden Superyacht Visits The Arabian Sea

Currently moored in the warm waters of Dubai, the custom 50-meter vessel was built in 2020 and is brokered by Bush & Noble.

Published

3 years ago

August 8, 2023

Nour Nasir

world's largest wooden superyacht visits the arabian sea

Bush & Noble

Moored in the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea, a 50-meter teak vessel, currently for sale at a cool 9.995 million USD, is the largest wooden superyacht ever built.

Brokered by Bush & Noble, the superyacht dwarfs vessels like The Maltese Falcon, Eclipse, or Azzam. However, aside from its sheer size, this yacht sets itself apart by being crafted from teak, mirroring the lines and building techniques of a traditional Arabian dhow.

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“We are thrilled to have this stunning custom wooden yacht as part of our fleet. It truly is a one-of-a-kind yacht that is sure to impress even the most discerning yachting enthusiasts,” says Brett Noble, Co-Founder of Bush & Noble.

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When construction began in 2020, the superyacht’s hull became its main talking point. The superstructure is crafted from teak and covered with a GRP shell, making the yacht a work of art to behold. According to Noble, “the construction for the hull was based on traditional dhow techniques, whereas the superstructure combines the latest techniques with old-school aesthetics”. It’s clear that this superyacht isn’t just a visually stunning vessel but also a love letter to the shipbuilding traditions of the region.

world's largest wooden superyacht interior 1

Under the craft’s sleek exterior are a raft of state-of-the-art navigation and safety systems. Meanwhile, the yacht’s interior boasts a completely bespoke and utterly luxurious suite of cabins that can accommodate 12 guests alongside a team of five crew members.

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Brett Noble explained the uniqueness of this special build. “This type of yacht exemplifies the Middle East market in many ways, but mostly because not many people are brave enough to step outside the comfort zone of GRP or similar construction. As with Dubai, they always push the limits of what is possible”.

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The teak marvel certainly creates a lasting impression, and while the vessel’s owner remains anonymous, enthusiasts are keen to have the yacht recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest wooden superyacht.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

4 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

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The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.