Confronted by inflation, energy crises and economic uncertainty, the 1970s had been roller coaster years for Feadship sales in North America. In mid-decade, the yards began prospecting in the Middle East. The deliveries of Al Riyadh in 1977 and, a few years later, Daria had a big impact on customer interest. Feadship delivered Abu Al Abyadh in 1980. Named for a privately owned island and bio-diversity reserve in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the 51.25-metre Abu Al Abyadh, as well as the smaller sister Dhafir behind her, was built for the co-founder and (then) ruler of the UAE, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, and his son, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed. She remains under original family ownership.