We consistently builds yachts with absolute integrity and fantastic value that are owned by a family of individuals who respect the sea, seek excellence in everything they do, appreciate innovation and quality, and know how to enjoy life.
We consistently build yachts with absolute integrity and fantastic value that are owned by a family of individuals who respect the sea, seek excellence in everything they do, appreciate innovation and quality, and know how to enjoy life.
We have more than 40 years of yacht-building experience in the Gulf, with an incredibly loyal and trusted network of customers, friends, employees and partners. Our passion for yacht building, deep-rooted experience and unique expertise, combined with our continued investment in our people and processes, guarantees that we always deliver the highest quality product, an excellent customer experience, and real value for everyone involved with our family and our fleet.
We are dedicated to building all our projects with passion and pride in order to create yachts that are of the highest quality, operate with absolute reliability, provide incredible value and deliver joy for all our customers throughout their ownership journey.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
MOHAMMED HUSSEIN ALSHAALI
CHAIRMAN
A passionate yacht builder, a charming negotiator (perhaps originating from his days as a UAE diplomat), a determined entrepreneur and a strategic communicator are the best ways to describe the Chairman of Gulf Craft, Mohammed Al Shaali. Furthermore, with his family members now embedded in the business and his unwavering love of the ocean and yachting, the future of Gulf Craft is on a really exciting course for the future. As a leader, mentor, visionary and innovator, the Chairman still has his hand firmly on the helm and is driving the business with the same passion with which he started it more than 40 years ago. Every customer who spends time with the Chairman becomes imbued and inspired by his dedication, as the process of building yachts with Gulf Craft is aligned with building strong relationships, partnerships and friendships for life.
ABEER ALSHAALI
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
Abeer Alshaali’s lifelong connection to Gulf Craft began in childhood, exploring the factory and showrooms during summer visits to the UAE. Educated in the US, she earned a degree from Rice University before gaining experience at HSBC. She later joined the family business, first supporting the Executive Office alongside her father before becoming Deputy Managing Director. Abeer drives innovation, efficiency, and global expansion, particularly in the US and Europe. Beyond Gulf Craft, she champions the UAE’s marine industry as Chairperson of the Leisure Marine Association, spearheading government-private sector collaboration and facilitating key initiatives like the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2021. She also serves as a board member of Ajman Media City Free Zone and mentors in the Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin Humaid Leadership Program.
Jacob Philip
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
With nearly three decades of experience in the region, Jacob serves as the Group Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer at Gulf Craft. In this dual role, Jacob brings extensive expertise in corporate leadership, financial strategy, and operational excellence, playing a key part in driving the groups continued growthand financial stability. Having worked with some of the region’s prominent business groups across
diverse industries, Jacob has developed a broad and adaptable skill set that enables strategic decision-making and results-driven leadership. Jacob’s leadership style is characterized by a combination of strategic foresight, analytical rigor, and a collaborative approach. With an eye on the future, Jacob continues to contribute to steer the group towards sustained growth, ensuring it remains competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Costas Eliopoulos
Chief Process Officer
As the Chief Process Officer at Gulf Craft, Costas brings extensive experience in yacht and boat building. He has served as Quality Control Manager and Production General Manager, focusing on strategic planning, process optimization, and cross-departmental collaboration. His role is pivotal in implementing data-driven improvements, fostering innovation, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to maintain high-quality standards and managing risks effectively. He holds an MSc in Marine Surveying and has a strong background in quality control, ship repair management, and yacht surveying, with a proven track record of industry success.
Kostas Christodoulou
Chief Technical Officer
Kostas Christodoulou has been a leader in marine research and shipbuilding since 1996. With a degree in Physics, he began at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, designing deep-sea autonomous vehicles and oceanographic instruments for European projects. He later led marine operations for a Saudi-owned group, overseeing mega yacht construction in Turkey and high-speed naval projects in Saudi Arabia, while managing a fleet of yachts up to 78 meters. Joining Gulf Craft in 2018 as a large yacht construction consultant, he became Chief Operating Officer in 2021 before transitioning to Chief Technical Officer in 2024. He now drives innovation in energy-saving systems, sustainable fuels, advanced deck equipment, and foiling ferry development.
Patricia Caswell
General Manager, Gulf Craft Services
Captain Patricia Caswell is the General Manager of Gulf Craft Services. Previously serving as the Quality Control Manager, she brings extensive hands-on experience from her time as a yacht captain. Patricia ensures the highest standards in yacht building, overseeing processes from design to delivery. Her compassionate leadership and dedication to excellence are evident in her role. Notably, she was instrumental in the successful sea trials of the Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production yacht. Patricia’s deep appreciation for the yachting industry and its opportunities makes her an invaluable asset to Gulf Craft.
Ranjit Rajan
Chief Production Officer
As Chief Production Officer at Gulf Craft Group, Ranjit Rajan leverages two decades of experience in yacht design and manufacturing to drive innovation and modernization in the industry. His journey from industrial designer to leadership roles such as Design Manager and Product Design and Engineering Manager highlights his exceptional expertise. Ranjit’s profound understanding of both technical and design aspects is pivotal in transforming shipyard’s approach. His commitment goes beyond improving manufacturing processes; he also focuses on coaching and mentoring to encourage growth and development within the organization.
Hussein Alshaali
Research & Development Manager
Hussain has been a core part of Gulf Craft for over 15 years, starting his career in Quality Control before transitioning into the Design Department. His passion for innovation led him to the Concept Design team, where he played a key role in developing new design concepts and pioneering advancements in yacht manufacturing. Now serving as the Research & Development Manager, Hussain focuses on concept design, prototyping, and driving innovation. He has been instrumental in transitioning the team to a digital-first approach, incorporating digital twin technology to enhance efficiency and precision in manufacturing. Hussain holds a Master’s degree in Yacht Design from Politecnico di Milano and continues to push the boundaries of design and engineering in the luxury yacht industry.
