This year’s 21st edition of Dubai International Boat Show was visited today by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister as well as Ruler of Dubai. Led by strong international demand, the event represents the region’s biggest and most prolific marine leisure exhibition.
Dubai International Boat Show
Thousands of visitors streamed through the gates on the first day of the show, being held at Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) – Mina Seyahi from March 5-9, with 11 global and 20 regional launches taking place over the five days. Industry heavyweights launching boats include Al Shaali Marine, Art Marine, Chris Craft, Delma Marine, Du Boats, Fountaine Pajot, Gulf Craft, IMG Boats, Safwa Marine, Sanlorenzo, Riviera and Van Dutch among others.
Among those taking centre stage this year is Gulf Craft, a leading UAE-based manufacturer, which announced the start of construction of the new luxury superyacht Majesty 155 – the largest ever to be constructed in the company’s 31-year history and is set to be completed in 2015. Other key launches include KaiserWerft’s launch of a 30m yacht, Sanlorenzo’s launch of a 40m yacht, and VanDutch’s world launch of a 55ft boat.
“We are extremely honoured and grateful to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for his support and presence at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show. Dubai is a lucrative platform for the leisure boating community in the Middle East and globally, and the show continues to cement its role as the catalyst for increased foreign investment and business opportunities,” said H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Director General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
More than 780 exhibiting brands and companies are participating in the show with 126 new exhibitors at the show for the first time this year. Industry stalwarts include Al Shaali Marine, ART Marine, Aquaspeed, Azimut Yachts, Delma Marine, Emirates Boats, Exalto, Elcome, Gulf Craft, Gulf Development Systems, Heinen & Hopman, IMG Boats, Japan Marine, Luxury Sea Boats, Macky Marine, MTU, Princess Yachts, Sunseeker and Al Yousuf Yamaha.
The show has seen strong international demand with more than 49 countries participating and debut appearances from Armenia, Belgium, Malaysia, Malta, Palau and the Russian Federation. The event has seen the United States and Italy increase their total exhibition space by 110% and 47% respectively, with Turkey increasing its floor space by eight times. A new Florida pavilion signifies a greater demand for American-made products and leisure crafts, with a 200% increase in products overall from the United States.
An impressive 430 boats will be on display throughout the event, featuring at least 19 luxurious superyachts. In addition, members of the newly established ‘Super Yacht Experience’, under the umbrella of the prestigious Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), will be at the show to conduct business with affluent visitors seeking to purchase luxury boats. Super Yacht Experience members participating in the show include Amels, Benetti Yachts, CRN, Fincantieri Yachts, Fr. Lurssen Werft GmbH, Heesen Yachts, Mondomarine, Oceanco, Palmer Johnson and Trinity Yachts. According to a 2013 forecast by Superyacht.com, 60% of the top 100 superyachts are owned by Middle East residents.
The ‘Made in UAE Pavilion’, a show first, is aimed at providing a platform for small-to-medium UAE boat builders such as Al Hareb Marine, Julfar Craft, Legacy Yachts and Ocean Boats, to increase local and global market exposure for the UAE boat manufacturing industry.
The Gulf Boating Conference and Luxury Supplies and Services (LSS) and Equipment Supplies and Services (ESS) Industry Seminars provide an opportunity for experts and industry professionals to address the latest trends, technologies and regulations affecting the marine leisure sector. The Gulf Boating Conference entitled ‘The Evolving Middle East Boating Market’ takes place on March 6, 2013 and the LSS and ESS Industry Seminars take place from March 6 – 7, 2013 with topics ranging from training and development, diving in the GCC, yacht interiors and new technologies.
Dive Middle East, the region’s only dedicated diving exhibition, brings together international manufacturers and local suppliers of sub-aqua diving equipment and services, with live demonstrations and daily ‘try-a-dive’ sessions. Dive Middle East sees a 35% expansion over last year, with new international exhibitors for this segment travelling from France, Germany, Oman and the USA.
The popular Retail Village and Heritage Village return this year with spectacular live entertainment to be enjoyed throughout the show. Other exciting highlights include visitor prize draws with the chance to win amazing prizes throughout the show, including a Yamaha WaveRunner, opening passes and accommodation to the Cannes Film Festival, Champions League passes, a Yas Marina F1 race package and much more.
The exciting Supercar Promenade returns to the show for the third year and brings with it a range of limited edition models and the finest examples of engineering prowess available on four wheels. Bentley, Brabus, McLaren and Rolls Royce are some of the luxury motoring brands that will showcase their latest models.
With even easier access to this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, free Water Taxis are provided by the RTA from Skydive Dubai and Dubai Marina Mall and shuttle buses will provide transportation from Gateway Towers at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah. These services will allow visitors to spend ample time enjoying the vast selection of yachts, boats, and the full range of marine equipment available at show.
The Dubai International Boat Show is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm to 9:30pm daily from tomorrow and runs from March 5 – 9, 2013. General admission is AED60 per person for all attendees, while children under 12 will be admitted free of charge (they must be accompanied by an adult at all times). Access to the Marina Display Area may be restricted at certain times.
