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Dubai Harbour to continue hosting DIBS
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The Dubai International Boat Show will continue to be held at Dubai Harbour, which has been the event venue since 2022.
Saeed Hareb (DIBS), Abdulla Binhabtoor (Shamal Holding), Mohammed Alshaali (Gulf Craft) and Trixie LohMirmand (DWTC)
Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the Dubai International Boat Show, and Dubai Harbour have announced that the Middle East’s biggest marina would continue to host the Middle East’s biggest boat show. The show’s 31st edition has been earmarked for February 2025, but without dates confirmed.
Dubai Harbour has been home to the Dubai International Boat Show since the event returned post-Covid in 2022, with the event held in an L-shaped, corner location for two years. This year, the location was a few hundred metres further away and offered expansive views of the Dubai skyline from its long, waterfront site on the other side of the road from the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.
Trixie LohMirmand, Dubai World Trade Centre’s Executive Vice President since 2005, said: “Dubai represents the new world and a new era in leisure yachting. Everyone speaks of the soaring energy in the city and in the boat show, where I heard it described as ‘the most beautiful boat show in the world’ many times this year. It’s easy when the Dubai International Boat Show is set in a world-class marina against the most glorious skyline of any yachting destinations.
“Dubai International Boat Show and Dubai Harbour are committed to accelerating this momentum and partnering with our international community to build the world’s next most outstanding, sought-after yachting hub. We’re proud to secure a long-term home for the show at Dubai Harbour, which gives investors the confidence to fast forward long-term development plans in the region.”
Mohammed Alshaali, Saeed Hareb, Trixie LohMirmand and Abdulla Binhabtoor
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai International Boat Show’s Senior Advisor, has been involved with the show since its inauguration in 1992 and has seen it move around many venues.
“Dubai Harbour is a fitting venue for a city that’s increasingly making its mark in the global maritime space. The continued collaboration of Dubai International Boat Show and Dubai Harbour is great for the international yachting community, inspiring confidence to grow boldly with energy and enthusiasm,” he said.
“Having been part of the show since its inception, it’s incredible for me to see its growth and dedication to uniting the entire maritime industry. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing how the show will continue to develop in 2025, and beyond.”
Owned by Shamal Holding, Dubai Harbour opened in 2021 and has between 700-800 berths, a significant portion of over 4,500 berths in the emirate.
Abdulla Binhabtoor, Shamal Holding’s Chief Portfolio Management Officer, said Dubai Harbour’s marina occupancy is about 90 per cent, compared to 70 per cent in early 2023, and was delighted to announce that the show would continue to host the Gulf region’s largest marine festival.
“The Dubai International Boat Show is not only the region’s biggest marine show but has grown to become a major catalyst to the wider advancement of the maritime industry and a testament to Dubai’s growing status as one of the world’s maritime hubs,” Binhabtoor said.
The 30th Dubai International Boat Show offered spectacular skyline views
“As Dubai Harbour continues to grow and evolve as a seafront destination for residents and tourists, we greatly value the partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Boat Show, as well as the support of our partners and stakeholders.
“As the region’s largest marina and located in the heart of Dubai, we consider Dubai Harbour the
natural home for the Dubai International Boat Show. We’re committed to continuing to strengthen our partnership, contributing to Dubai’s thriving leisure maritime sector for many years to come.”
The announcement was well received by local and international exhibitors including Gulf Craft Group, the Middle East’s largest yacht builder. Having participated in all 30 editions of the show, the multi-brand builder continues to have the largest display at the event, this year exhibiting 16 boats ranging in size from a 20ft electric SilverCat prototype to the Majesty 111 superyacht.
Abeer Alshaali, Gulf Craft Group’s Deputy Managing Director, said: “We love that the Dubai International Boat Show is continuing its strong partnership with Dubai Harbour. This event has been growing and welcoming more and more visitors every year.
“The world-class infrastructure at Dubai Harbour will allow for continued growth and space to welcome even more visitors, boats, clients, suppliers and international maritime organisations from across the world.”
