Hailing the dawn of a decade defined by innovation in the maritime sector, the 28^th Dubai International Boat Show will drop anchor at its new Dubai Harbour home from 10^th-14^th March, buoyed by a striking display of superyachts, future-focused maritime equipment and an extensive range of leisure and aquatic activities.

Running under the theme ‘Loving What’s to Come’, Dubai International Boat Show 2020 will feature more than 800 companies and brands from 44 countries and will be the springboard for 28 regional and global launches across a fleet of more than 450 eye-catching boats and watercrafts, including leisure crafts, sailing and fishing boats and new-to-market aquatic gadgets and toys, including aqua bikes, personal submarines and electric surf boards.

The region’s first major maritime event of the 2020s will enthrall serious boat buyers and marine enthusiasts, with the show’s 28^th edition poised to consolidate the emirate’s position as the region’s undisputed maritime capital and an innovative international nautical hub, featuring national pavilions from the United States and Italy.

“This edition of the Dubai International Boat Show comes at a hugely exciting time – at the start of a new decade in which UAE’s maritime sector holds rich promise. I’m delighted that the Show has returned to its former home, on what was the Dubai International Marine Club site and is now the world-class Dubai Harbour facility. This Show takes on even greater significance as the emirate enters the final preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai. The world’s greatest show will serve to underline Dubai’s standing as a global innovator,” His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Senior Advisor to the Dubai International Boat Show, said.

DIBS 2020 moves to world-class maritime venue

Managed by Meraas, Dubai Harbour will be the Middle East’s foremost all-in-one luxury maritime destination upon completion. The exclusive Dubai Harbour Marina will be the most sophisticated marina of its kind in the Middle East. It will ultimately hold 1,100-berths – the greatest berth mix in the world for yachts up to 160 metres in length – supporting a superyacht industry which has seen reassuring growth over the past decade, and which is estimated to reach a value of US$28-30 billion by 2022.

“It’s an honour for D-Marin Dubai to be working on the Marina at Dubai Harbour that will redefine the maritime industry in this region. The exclusive Marina will be the most sophisticated of its kind in the Middle East, and one of the few marinas in the world to offer superyacht owners an advanced home-port solution. The expansive, modern berth mix available to yacht, superyacht owners and the wider recreational boat market, along with cutting-edge facilities, make it one of our most outstanding marinas under our portfolio, reaffirming Dubai’s position as a pioneer and regional capital of the maritime industry,” Selcuk Balci, Managing Director, D-Marin Dubai, said.

Global superyachts back in force

With 12.6 percent of the world’s superyachts (more than 150 vessels over 40m) berthed in the Middle East[3], Dubai International Boat Show 2020 is set to host its most impressive iteration of the Superyacht Avenue to date. Organised with the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), the Superyacht Avenue will unite the industry’s most respected names and house a range of existing and new-to-market luxury crafts. The Superyacht Avenue will feature SYBAss members such as Benetti, CRN Yachts, Feadship, Fincantieri, Heesen, Lurssen, Oceanco and Sanlorenzo, as well as leading boat manufacturers and retailers, including Al Rubban Marine, AMIT, Azimut, Cranchi Yachts, Gulf Craft, Ferretti, IMG Boats, Ocean 360, Princess Yachts, Sunreef Yachts and Vikal Boats.

“Dubai International Boat Show takes place at a crucial point in the year, with many industry professionals and potential buyers keen on making an assessment of the latest trends, designs and products. A major show of this kind is essential to bring new vessels to the market – one that is crucial to our success,” Ahmad Al Ameeri, Chief Executive Officer, Seas and Deserts, said.

Local & international brands make their mark

Gulf Craft, the UAE’s flagship manufacturer of yachts and superyachts, has been a partner of Dubai International Boat Show since its inception, and will showcase its latest models across the Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft ranges. The Majesty 120, a 37-metre vessel built with fully electric on-board equipment, will enjoy its regional launch alongside a new addition to the Nomad range.

“Dubai International Boat Show is one of the most important regional shows that play a key role in the international yachting sector. For Gulf Craft, year after year, the show serves as a catalyst for client networking, and we expect that to continue in 2020. This region has a great potential for growth within the marine industry, as Dubai continues to grow its leisure sector and as regulations advance to make the city more accessible than ever,” Abeer M. Alshaali, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Craft, said.

Long-running DIBS supporter BehneMar will showcase its bespoke yachting consultancy services at the show. “We are delighted to continue our support for the Dubai International Boat Show. It’s extremely encouraging to see Dubai continue to increase its status as an attractive, must-visit location. The yachting industry will continue to demand more bespoke, elegant experiences, while advances in technology and design will only raise consumer expectations. As we enter a new decade, this is a hugely exciting time for the yachting industry,” Tim Trenker, Chief Executive Officer, BehneMar, said.

Beyond boats: DIBS 2020 provides activities for all

An unmissable event for maritime professionals, adrenaline lovers, and lifestyle and luxury aficionados, Dubai International Boat Show will cater for every kind of nautical enthusiast.

The debut Yachty STEAMathalon competition will challenge UAE students to build AI-powered vessels that can autonomously navigate a course. The programme, which will expand students’ understanding of skills taught by the STEAM syllabus, will end in a grand final and awards ceremony on Saturday 14^th March.

Other Dubai International Boat Show competitions include the Fly Board and Freestyle Championship for waterjet mid-air acrobatics on Friday 13^th March; and the Dubai Fishing Competition Finale, where fishing enthusiasts will battle it out to land cash prizes on 14^th March.

The show’s outside display and watersport village will host cutting-edge sea toys and gadgets including the launch of a hovercraft bike from Japanese manufacturer GranMove and electric surfboards from manufacturers Lampuga and JETSURF. The Show will host a selection of advanced and cutting-edge technologies, including JETFLOAT, who will be exhibiting their modular elements for the first time in the region and global satellite communications leader Inmarsat.

Returning after a successful debut in 2019, VriThink’s Night Out in Dubai will provide lively, quick-fire, five-minute presentations on the latest industry trends and highlight topics, such as colonising planets, the future of high-speed transport, how to conserve the oceans, and the impact 3D printing will have on yacht manufacturers.

Dive into the future

The 13^th edition of Dive MENA Expo – which is co-located with Dubai International Boat Show – will host a stream of presentations and content from local and international experts including Imran Ahmed, Escape Singapore Professional Photographer; Faisal Jawad Hassan, who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest 10 km scuba dive, beating the previous record by almost an hour; Ahmed Gabr, the three-time Guinness World Record breaker for Deepest Scuba Dive, Deepest Sea Dive, and who in 2015 mobilised 614 divers for the world’s largest underwater clean-up; Imran Ahmad, Asia’s most celebrated and internationally published underwater photographer; and David Diley, maker of the award-winning documentary Of Shark and Man.

Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organisers of DIBS 2020, said: “2020 is an inflection time for Dubai International Boat Show. Now housed in Dubai Harbour, one of the most fabulous luxury yachting hubs in the world, and rallying with UAE and the rest of the world towards Expo 2020 – the world’s greatest show on earth in October – and bearing witness to the unstoppable influence and impact of frontier technology like AI on the industry, Dubai International Boat Show will navigate the global industry towards an uplifting and transformative decade of indulgence in a luxurious yet accessible boating lifestyle.”

Dubai International Boat Show 2020 runs from 10-14 March at Dubai Harbour. For more information, visit www.boatshowdubai.com