In the late 1960s and early 1970s it was still unusual for Western businessmen to travel to countries such as Saudi Arabia, but Jan van Lent showed a true pioneering spirit when he made the first of many visits to the region in 1968. The first results came with the order for the 27.76-metre Al-Direiyah, launched in 1971. Later followed with the launch of other spectacular yachts like 64.64-metre Al Riyadh in 1978 and, in 1980, the 52.06-metre Abu Al Abyadh and 40.50-metre Dhafir.