Azimut-Benetti in strategic tie-up with distributor

European yacht manufacturer Azimut-Benetti has signed a strategic tie-up with regional distributor Art Marine.

Paolo Vitelli, president and managing director of Azimut-Benetti Group, said the exclusive tie-up with Art Marine is for the distribution of the Italian company's Azimut yachts and Atlantis luxury craft line in the GCC, Jordan and Pakistan.

"We found that instead of appointing dealers in individual countries, tying up with a strategic partner like Art Marine goes with our objectives in the region," which is witnessing a boom in tourism, surging luxury boat sales and building of new marinas, he said.

The group claims the largest production network of luxury yachts in the world. The company has been ranked first in six consecutive years by publication Showboats International, which rates major mega-yacht builders.