KUWAIT: The Tourism Enterprises Company (TEC) said Saturday that it has suspended all marina berth transfer procedures, citing efforts to clamp down on illegal leasing and black-market trading of marina spaces.

The announcement came in response to the spread of unofficial advertisements promoting what TEC has called “illegal” rentals and sales of marina berths on social media and non-government websites. In a public statement, the company said such offers are a “clear violation of administrative regulations.” However, the timing of the announcement — and the lack of a clear roadmap forward — has left berth users frustrated and confused.

In a statement issued Saturday, TEC said that “all berth transfers have been suspended as of July 2024,” linking the freeze to efforts to revise the marina usage regulations. But this was the first public disclosure of the suspension known to Kuwait Times — made a year after it reportedly began and months after new regulations were officially announced in April 2025.

The company explained that the freeze was necessary to address a number of violations and negative practices, including subleasing, monopolizing berths to raise prices, and black-market reselling — all of which undermine fair access and transparency. “We confirm that the process of re-opening vacant berth rentals will begin as soon as existing violations are addressed and corrected, in line with a clear and transparent mechanism that will be announced in due course,” the company stated.

This commitment to eventually resuming berth allocation offers some reassurance — but the absence of a specific timeline has added to public frustration. “You closed transfers, and now the municipality is towing our boats. When will this be resolved?” one user posted on social media.

New marina regulations

In April 2025, TEC released a set of updated marina bylaws. The changes aim to improve transparency, enhance governance, and ensure equal opportunity in berth allocation.

According to the company, the regulations include new rules that require the name on the berth lease to match the boat’s ownership and insurance documents. However, there is an exception allowing first-degree relatives to be listed instead. Heirs are also permitted to transfer berths to others, and the new system introduces free secondary memberships for additional boats tied to a primary member. TEC will impose fines on users whose boat insurance expires without renewal, and berth rights may be revoked if dues remain unpaid for over 60 days after the grace period. In addition, new members are not allowed to transfer their berth to others until one year after joining. TEC said these reforms are meant to establish a more sustainable and accountable marina system that discourages unfair practices and protects user rights. It’s not clear if TEC is in the process of revising these updates.

Yacht Club renovation

TEC also announced that it is finalizing preparations to renovate the Yacht Club, located on Gulf Road next to Shaab Sea Club. The facility features a 343-berth marina, emergency public docking services, and a certified maintenance workshop that is open to both members and non-members. The club also includes a fuel station, a marine survey center, a large diwaniya, and a multi-purpose hall that can host exhibitions and events. The planned upgrade will follow international standards to improve safety, quality, and user experience.

Public demands clarity

Despite the company’s assurances, berth users continue to express frustration at the prolonged suspension and unclear rollout of the new allocation system. “We’re tired of waiting. We want to rent a berth and enjoy ourselves—everyone benefits. This is taking too long,” one commenter wrote.

“Why are you blocking people instead of encouraging them to invest in marine tourism?” another asked.

While TEC has promised to announce a new, transparent system once current violations are resolved, the delay has left many feeling shut out of a vital part of Kuwait’s sea culture. The company continues to urge the public not to engage with unofficial berth advertisements and to rely solely on approved company channels for updates.