BILLIONAIRES YACHTS AT DUBAI BOAT SHOW
As the UHNI’s (ultra-high net worth investors) migrate to Dubai with their wealth, supercars, jets, even their yachts take berth at the Dubai harbor or marina, making Dubai a major and leading destination of the global maritime industry.
The 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS 2022) was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council at its new venue, the Dubai Harbour. Sheikh Hamdan toured the five-day event’s new venue at Dubai Harbour accompanied by Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime City Authority.
Dubai International Boat Show 2023, the MENA region’s largest and most exciting marine and lifestyle show will be held at Dubai Harbour from 1 to 5 March 2023.
There are approx. 12.6 per cent of the world’s superyachts in the Middle East, the second-highest fleet-to-billionaire ratio in the world, as The Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS 2022) – March 9-13, 2022 has initiated and strengthened Dubai’s position as a global maritime hub. The show had more than 800 brands from 54 countries, and amazing 34 new launches with range of engaging and interactive features throughout the five-day show.
Speaking at the opening event, Sheikh Hamdan said the event is one of the world’s top three most influential international yacht shows, which reflects Dubai’s status as a prominent global maritime destination. He further said the rapid development of Dubai’s maritime infrastructure reflects the vision of the emirate’s leadership to ensure the highest standards of global excellence and transform Dubai into an influential player in major international industries.
Dubai Harbor was built as a dedicated superyacht marina with full facilities and capabilities to handle yachts, superyachts and largest cruise liners, to demonstrate and strengthen the emirate’s reputation as a world-class maritime destination and have positive impact on growth and investment in the global maritime sector.
Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council and senior advisor to the Dubai International Boat Show, noted the importance of the event returning to its new location close to the heart of Dubai. “It is important for us to showcase the facilities at the harbor to the rest of the world.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, toured the Dubai International Boat Show and proudly said, the emirate as a “global yacht capital” and was joined on his visit by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, and Saeed Mohammed Hareb, secretary general at Dubai Sports Council.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the UAE’s maritime infrastructure, which he said was underpinned by the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.
“The country’s rich seafaring heritage and historical strengths combined with the vision of our founding fathers have inspired the development of a world-class maritime infrastructure,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“This infrastructure has driven many world-class projects and led to the nation becoming a leading player in various global sectors including trade, tourism, leisure and hospitality.
“The organisation of one of the world’s most influential yacht shows is another example of our determination to build Dubai into a global maritime destination and become a hub for excellence in various sectors.
“Dubai today is a global yacht capital and a preferred destination for yacht owners, charters and cruise travelers from across the world.”
The Crown Prince with his team visited few booths, such as Gulf Craft, and various global luxury yacht builders, Ferretti and Sanlorenzo and briefly stopped at the Dubai Maritime City Authority’s stand, where he was updated about the company’s services and futre plans.
Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of Events Management at the Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers of the event, also spoke about the significance of Dubai Harbour and its location within the heart of Dubai Urban Plan 2040. “This is major tourism hub and for us it is a great permanent home for the Dubai International Boat Show. Another reason why we are very excited about the new location is because of the sea access it offers, so we will see a lot of boats in action during the show.”
“Dubai has proven itself as a future-focused incubator of innovation and the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show, a firm favourite for exhibitors, will reinforce the Emirate’s status as a driving force of the maritime and leisure industry, with many of our key exhibitors eager to enhance sustainability across the maritime industry,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, organizers of the event. “Dubai International Boat Show will leverage its popular influence and ongoing collaboration with local and global industry stakeholders to develop the allure of the recreational boating lifestyle and to boost marine tourism in the UAE and the region.”
The Superyacht Avenue exhibited the world’s most luxurious and technologically advanced superyachts, yachts, boats, such as the SuperYacht Builders Association members Lurssen and Oceanco, and the mainstream superyacht brands such as Azimut, Cranchi, Feretti, Gulf Craft, and Princess Yachts. The world’s leading luxurious brands such as Feadship, Majesty and Nomad participated.
The Dubai International Boat Show is the undisputed event leader in the region’s leisure and marine industry, uniting high-end buyers and world-class suppliers from the most lucrative regions in the world.
With a rich history and a proven track record it is simply the most anticipated event in the yachting calendar. Dubai Boat Show provides unparalleled access to the Middle East’s, Asia’s and global investors, buyers and marine enthusiasts.
Gulf Craft, Sunreef Yachts, Al Daen, Blue Gulf Boats and Al Fajer, as well as regional launches from Princess Yachts, Cranchi, Sanlorenzo and Azimut Yachts among others held their global product launches.
Middle East Yachting Conference was held to discuss maritime industry’s biggest opportunities and sustainability.
The Middle East Yachting Conference 2022 gathered more than 100 leaders from across the world where speakers discussed hot topics regarding the yachting industry such as sustainability, use of cryptocurrencies and cybersecurity to the industry.
The Middle East Yachting Conference was held at the luxurious St Regis The Palm, attended by the global maritime lifestyle community and accompanied by the local and international speakers and panelists prior to the launch of Dubai International Boat Show. The topics discussed was on the threat of cyber-attacks to superyachts, sustainability, design in yachting, cryptocurrency opportunities for the maritime sector, the empowerment of women in the yachting industry as more than 100 leaders gathered and discussed.
The keynote speech was delivered by Sahah Al Rasti, the UAE’s first female captain, on International Women’s Day as the conference opened with a panel discussion regarding the empowerment of women in the sector, which was moderated by Abeer AlShaali, and the panellists were, Deputy MD of Gulf Craft, Al Rasti, Claire Ferandier Sicard, CEO and Founder of Environmental Training for Yacht Crew, Chloé Zaied, CEO at Hynova, and Dasha Moranova, CEO of Dasha Moranova Designs.
“The UAE represents a great place for women to work and thrive, and there is no doubt the UAE has been a leader in supporting women in the maritime sector – identifying the best training and development programmes to help us grow,” said Al Rasti. “Women of the marine world are resilient and can challenge any ideas. We do need some more awareness as women in the segment though. In a largely male-dominated industry, we need to challenge ourselves and prove that we can not only succeed, but also work hand-in-hand with our male counterparts to drive the industry forward.”
Maritime pollution is a major cause of worry and was anchor topic – sustainability, as few eco-friendly yachts/boats were launched. Key important speakers were Luis Marinho Falcão, Head of Sustainable Growth at Faro Boats, and Francis Lapp, CEO of Sunreef Yachts who highlighted the investments in sustainability for a cleaner environment and how innovation is driving change for the future of yachting.
“Everything is possible if you have both vision and intent,” said Falcão. “We don’t know what the future is in terms of sustainable powered solutions, whether it’s electric, hydrogen, or whatever the next generation of young inventors think up, but what we do know is that it is vital to keep heading in this direction and seeing where this path takes us. Our Faro5 Solar Set is the first fully autonomous, 100% sustainable boating solution and we are excited to showcase it at the Dubai International Boat Show.”
Dubai Harbor Marinas is a world-class maritime facility, featuring approximately 700 berths that can accommodate yachts up to 160m in length. As well as providing guests and crew with a full home port solution in one of the world’s most spectacular cruising
grounds, Dubai Harbor Marinas also enable direct access to the open waters of the Arabian Gulf with no air draft limits. Boat owners and captains can ensure year-round access to the highest standards of expert technical facilities and security within the marina.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome everybody to the new and permanent home of the Dubai International Boat Show,” said Abdulla Bin Habtoor, chief portfolio management officer at Shamal Holding, the owner and curator of Dubai Harbour. “We embarked on a journey a few years ago to design a new island in Dubai where we wanted to reimagine how the city engages with the seafront. In doing so, we designed the largest marina in the city, and one thing that we always had in mind was to design a permanent home for the Dubai boat show.”
“This was because we knew that we could not achieve our vision in the industry alone,” he added. “We need the right partners to showcase our strengths and offerings. With 700 marina berths, we are very much interested in growing the recreational boating industry in the UAE.”
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Minister and Minister of Tolerance, UAE toured the Dubai International Boat Show 2022.
Sunreef Yachts exhibited their all-electric Sunreef 80 Eco at the Dubai International Boat Show along with one of the shipyard’s bestselling catamaran models 60 Sunreef Power, throughout the event at the Dubai Harbour Marina.
“We always look to the Dubai International Boat Show as a key calendar date for our business and an opportunity to connect with both regional and international visitors to further our standing in the region. We also look to the show as a platform to discover what advances the industry has made, with this edition being a return to the norm and we are expecting some fantastic launches. As a world leader in the industry and a driver of eco-friendly vessels, we’re excited to announce that our Sunreef 80 Eco will be on display at the event this month,” said Francis Lapp, Founder & CEO, Sunreef Yachts.
The Sunreef 80 Eco is the world’s most advanced green luxury yacht. Her standout features include a revolutionary composite-integrated solar power system with cells built into the catamaran’s hulls, superstructure, bimini and mast. This award-winning electric superyacht is also able to generate green energy while under sail, thanks to a modern hydrogeneration system. More detailed review from www.fvmglobal.com
THE SERENE HIGH SEAS PICNIC ABOARD THE SUNREEF 80 ECO
https://www.fvmglobal.com/the-serene-high-seas-picnic-aboard-the-sunreef-80-eco/
Gulf Craft had phenomenal success at the Dubai International Boat Show as the event continues to serve as a key platform for the shipyard to showcase its latest offerings. This year’s edition saw the announcement and revelation of the very first images of a brand-new superyacht; the Majesty 111, the world premiere of the tri-deck superyacht, the Majesty 120, the adventurous Nomad 70 SUV, and the versatile SilverCat 40 CC catamaran. All the models from Gulf Craft’s diversified range of crafts – ranging from fishing boats and family cruisers to state-of-the-art superyachts were received well with enthusiasm and great interest by visitors.
Gulf Craft, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, unveiled the design for a new superyacht at the Dubai International Boat Show. The UAE’s pioneering boat builder is once again presented the largest fleet of boats and yachts ranging from 34 to 120 feet.
Mohammed Alshaali, chairman of Gulf Craft, said that the Dubai International Boat Show is an event that celebrates the UAE’s fast-growing yachting sector, but also pays tribute to the region’s rich maritime heritage. “This year, we are highlighting the growth of our company as well as showcasing a series of new models all manufactured from our integrated facility in the UAE. Over the past four decades, we have evolved from a regional boatbuilding pioneer to a global brand. We are honored to have contributed to the region’s yachting sector and will continue to build on our legacy to elevate the nation’s reputation as an outstanding yachting destination.”
A jaw-dropping line up of more than 50 floating mansions from some of Abeer AlShaali, Deputy Managing Director, Gulf Craft, said, “Gulf Craft has been present at every edition of the Dubai International Boat Show since its very first event in 1992. As our ‘home show’ we are always keen to support the event and this year is no different as we will showcase 14 boats and yachts from our Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft brands, as well as two exciting world debuts and the reveal of the first design concepts of a very special new superyacht.
The show is an important event, not only for us as a brand but also for the global yachting industry as a whole. It puts a spotlight on the UAE – showcasing not only what the country offers in terms of marine lifestyle, but also the Government’s efforts to position Dubai as a global yachting tourism destination – something which Gulf Craft has worked closely with the local authorities to achieve. Cementing the value we see in the Dubai International Boat Show, we have chosen this year’s event as the platform to launch a year-long celebration to mark Gulf Craft’s 40th anniversary. Dubai International Boat Show will be the first of many international events this year where we will proudly display our celebratory 40th anniversary logo and mark this significant occasion.”
Mohammed Alshaali, chairman of Gulf Craft, said that the Dubai International Boat Show is an event that celebrates the UAE’s fast-growing yachting sector, but also pays tribute to the region’s rich maritime heritage. “This year, we are highlighting the growth of our company as well as showcasing a series of new models all manufactured from our integrated facility in the UAE. Over the past four decades, we have evolved from a regional boatbuilding pioneer to a global brand. We are honored to have contributed to the region’s yachting sector and will continue to build on our legacy to elevate the nation’s reputation as an outstanding yachting destination.”
Gulf Craft had phenomenal success at the Dubai International Boat Show as the event continues to serve as a key platform for the shipyard to showcase its latest offerings. This year’s edition saw the announcement and revelation of the very first images of a brand-new superyacht; the Majesty 111, the world premiere of the tri-deck superyacht, the Majesty 120, the adventurous Nomad 70 SUV, and the versatile SilverCat 40 CC catamaran. All the models from Gulf Craft’s diversified range of crafts – ranging from fishing boats and family cruisers to state-of-the-art superyachts were received well with enthusiasm and great interest by visitors.
Ferretti Group participated at the Dubai International Boat Show 2022, one of the most prestigious events in the Middle East. The Group showcased their 4-yacht fleet showcasing the Riva, Pershing and Custom Line brands and premièred for the United Arab Emirates, the Custom Line Navetta 30, and completing the collection, the Pershing 9X, Pershing 8X and Riva 100′ Corsaro will also feature.
Lürssen had its stand at Dubai Harbour.
Dutch yard Feadship was the Supporting Sponsor of the Dubai International Boat Show and was located at the specially-designed section called Superyacht Avenue, close to Supercar Promenade. Feadship exhibited their “future yacht”, called PURE, an 81.75m vessel, that could be built today. Feadship emphasied about their evolving history in hybrid propulsion, supporting sustainabiloty, leading to “the world’s first luxury motor yacht with hybrid power”, the 83m Savannah, in 2015.
Pure, with no conventional wheelhouse and controlled from a concealed Command Centre, from where everything is simulated and displayed on screens. “The information required to drive Pure will come from all kinds of sources, such as radar, AIS, maps, depth sounders and cameras strategically placed around the yacht,” said a spokesman.
There was the Supercars promenade, from Dubai’s best private hyper/super car private club – Group 63 and largest richest collection from VIP Motors, hyper cars to supercars were displayed from Bugatti, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren and some rare limited editions.
For the first time, Princess Yachts exhibited six yachts at the Dubai International Boat Show, the Y85 from the Yacht range, the Princess line-up at stand MD-30 also includes F50, F55 and F62 flybridge motor yachts, the powerful S62 sportbridge model and the V60 cruiser.
Prior to the show, Princess had a strong order book, as sales have tripled in the Middle East, over the last 12 months compared to the previous year, with significant trend towards the larger boats in the range, and the first X95 for the region was aboard a ship bound for the UAE.
Bentley had their luxurious stand, followed by Panerai and other luxury brands.
Dubai International Boat Show 2023 will bring boat owners, manufacturers, and enthusiasts together for another physical edition. The MENA region’s largest and most exciting marine and lifestyle show will be held at Dubai Harbour from 1 to 5 March 2023. The upcoming trade fair will be co-located with DIVE MENA Expo, where dive professionals will have the opportunity to explore the latest industry trends and meet with like-minded individuals.
Dubai International Boat Show 2023 will be the place where you can catch exclusive global and regional launches, experience high-level business networking, and learn more about the development of the boating industry. The expo will feature a lineup of over 50 floating mansions from leading marques like San Lorenzo and Cranchi, innovative products and other superyacht essentials.
Dubai International Boat Show 2023 will host numerous pavilions, on-site demonstrations, fishing and yachting competitions, and fantastic entertainment for young and adult trade visitors. The fair will also host an informative conference programme, including lectures and workshops with expert speakers.
