From February 28th to March 2nd, 2024, the world-renowned Dubai Harbour area will play host to the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), the longest running and most prestigious marine and leisure event in the Middle East.

With over a thousand brands and over two hundred boats from world-renowned shipyards like Azimut, Sunseeker Gulf, Gulf Craft, HP Watermakers, Oceano, and Althaus Yachts, the most lavish international boat exhibition in the United Arab Emirates is celebrating its momentous 30th edition.

The Dubai International Boat Show, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is set to host 46 boat launches this year. The show has a three-decade history of bringing top marine brands to Dubai and serving as a crucial sales and networking platform for both local and international distributors and manufacturers.

At the exhibition, IMG Boats will unveil three new boats to the world, while Riviera Boats and Al Fajer will unveil two new boats apiece. San Francisco Yachts, Williams Tender, Ferretti, and a plethora of others are scheduled to launch regionally.

At the event’s press conference, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council and Senior Advisor to the Dubai International Boat Show, said: “As the Dubai International Boat Show embarks on a new chapter in its illustrious history for its 30th edition this year, the event continues to be a comprehensive platform for premiering innovations and welcoming new maritime companies and brands into the local industry.”

“Having been part of the show since its inception, it has been incredible to witness the show’s growth and enduring power to unite the global maritime industry in Dubai, which is now a magnet for global yachting tourism.”

As the demand for luxury yachts continues to rise, international superyacht builders have set up shop in Dubai.

The 30th Dubai International Boat Show is set to draw exhibitors from around 55 countries, with four new additions: Austria, Finland, Sweden, and the Republic of Korea. This will increase the show's worldwide appeal and influence.

Nine members of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) are among the more than 200 boats on display, demonstrating the event's dedication to attracting representatives from the most prestigious shipyards across the globe.

With a predicted increase in value from $306 million in 2022 to $481 million in 2028, the Middle East is now home to 12.6% of the world's superyacht fleet. The number of High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in Dubai is expected to rise by 39% by 2026, making the Dubai International Boat Show a game-changer for the yachting sector on a global scale.

Come and be a part of the famous yearly meeting with 400 new companies and brands. MTM Marine will be showcasing the Sea-Doo Jet Ski, Cigarette Racing Team will be launching a new racing boat from the USA, and Baglietto is a newly-established member of SYBAss.

The most opulent yachts in the world have used the Dubai International Boat Show as a regional and global launchpad for the last 30 editions.

L to R – Nouman Al Hakim, Brett Noble, Abeer AlShaali, H.E. Saeed Hareb, Abdulla Binhabtoor, Asma Al Sharif and Trixie LohMirmand

Accompanying the Honourable Participants in the press conference with Saeed Hareb included Abdulla Bin Habtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer at Shamal Holding (owner and curator of Dubai Harbour), Nouman Al Hakim, Chief Operating Officer at Al Ameeri Group Holding, Abeer Al Shaali, Deputy Managing Director of Gulf Craft, Brett Noble, Co-Founder, Sunseeker Gulf and Bush & Noble, Asma Al Sharif, Assistant Vice President at DWTC, and Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President at DWTC.

Shamal Holding’s Bin Habtoor said: “We are honoured to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Dubai International Boat Show and take pride in being part of its story. Our premier and multi-faceted district is the ideal home for the Dubai International Boat Show, the industry’s most established leisure maritime event.

“Anchored by the region’s largest marina, with the only dedicated Super Yacht Marina, Dubai Harbour provides the perfect environment and superior facilities for yachting enthusiasts and investors from around the world.”

UAE-based Gulf Craft is one of the world’s leading shipyards and manufacturers of luxury yachts, superyachts, leisure and utility boats. Deputy Managing Director Al Shaali said: “We are looking forward to the 30th edition of the Dubai International Yacht Show, which holds significance as our home show for Gulf Craft. This year, we are preparing to showcase a variety of vessels, including new launches and brand developments.

“The extended location at Dubai Harbour is an interesting change, and we anticipate it will attract a good number of spectators. We also acknowledge the growing interest in yacht tourism and buyers in the Middle East, which we hope will be reflected at the event. It's a significant moment for Gulf Craft and the yachting industry in the region.”

Kuwaiti-headquartered Al Ameeri Group Holding will meanwhile dock with three major luxury and superyacht manufacturers in attendance. “As exhibitors at Dubai International Boat Show since the very beginning, we recognise the impact the event has had on furthering the regional maritime sector,” commented Al Ameeri Group’s Al Hakim. “This year we will showcase five of our best-loved yachts, including the Azimut 53 Fly for the first time, along with the Middle East premiere of Azimut S7.”

British boat maker Sunseeker Yachts will also reveal four stunning Middle East premieres, presented by official regional distributor Sunseeker Gulf and Bush & Noble, whose co-founder Brett Noble, said: “As the official distributor of Sunseeker yachts across the GCC, which has four regional premiers to reveal, Sunseeker Gulf and Bush & Noble’s co-founder Brett Noble added: “The Dubai International Boat Show has demonstrated immense maturity and growth since its inception. As a premier British boat builder with performance in our DNA, we are utilising the event as a springboard to revitalise our brand in the market, maximising the city’s expectation to grow and attract more HNWIs and UHNWI. We will display four very different models as a Middle East premiere – 88 Yacht, Manhattan 68, 65 Sports Yacht and Manhattan 55 - that are all made in the region, for the region, with Gulf-specifications to meet customer demand and improve onboard comfort.”

At COP28, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, announced the groundbreaking Dubai Reef project, which will be showcased at the 2024 Dubai International Boat Show along with other regional and local sustainability initiatives.

Among the world's largest marine reef projects, the project will help Dubai achieve its environmental targets while also boosting the emirate's maritime economy and allied sub-sectors.

Join over a hundred influential figures from around the world for the annual Dubai Boat Show Leisure Yachting Conference on February 27. This event serves as the official kickoff to the Dubai International Boat Show and will delve deeply into issues such as innovation, regulation, sustainability, and the future of the sector.

Taking place in the Dubai Harbour from February 28th to March 3rd, 2024, is the Dubai International Boat Show. An unrivalled platform for industry experts and aficionados of boating, marine, and luxury lifestyles to discover the newest trends and advances in the maritime sector is offered by the historic 30th edition of the event.

Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), said: “Our most transformative edition yet, this year’s Dubai International Boat Show will see a gathering of maritime investors, experts and enthusiasts looking to foster collaboration and further the regional maritime industry.

“Honouring a milestone 30th edition, the show aligns with Dubai’s continued evolution as a worldwide leading yachting destination and evidences the emirate’s commitment to driving sustainable practices in the industry by spotlighting changemakers and providing a critical platform for innovation.”

Get your ticket: Dubai International Boat Show