ADIBS REVIEW: THE ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The 2023 Abu Dhabi International Boat Show was all about quality cruisers, world-class catamarans, fast boats, a research ship, and a lot of other surprises.

Yachts

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the 2023 Abu Dhabi International Boat Show marked a new beginning in its evolution.

The show, held at the ADNEC Marina was always meant to be a bit different than other boat shows and in contrast to the indoor seriousness of boot Dusseldorf, ADIBS was always meant to have a family feel with an emphasis on local tradition and culture and this year ADIBS delivered, and then some.

THE START

We have to really stress this, but a boat show has to be easily accessible, with ample parking for everyone from casual day-trippers to VIPs and this is where the ADNEC Marina’s location on Al Khaleej Al Arab Street excels. There are eleven lanes of traffic that pass under the bridge leading from the ADNEC parking to the marina. Even at peak timings, there’s no getting caught in a line of stationary show traffic, meaning visitors arrive fresh, in a good mood, and ready to be entertained.

Something new: The addition of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s 47-metre Jaywun enabled visitors to learn all about the local marine research vessel.

ENTERTAINMENT

From the moment Al Fursan aerobatic display team turned the sky red, green, white, and black, to the sky being lit up in a spectacular fireworks display, ADIBS was impressed with its family-friendly entertainment. Boat shows should be a mix of business and pleasure, – after all the whole industry is built around leisure and lifestyle. However, it was the sea-inspired parade that really stood out. From drummers dressed as retro deep sea divers and dancing sea horses to jellyfish on stilts and a sailor swinging from a mast 12 feet in the air, this colourful and upbeat pageant set the tone for the rest of the show.

BOAT SHOW

After the high-quality entertainment, it was down to business, as shipyard representatives and brokers were eager to chat with the numerous VIP guests. The quality of craft on show was also exceptional with 15 new launches taking place, including 13 from local shipyards. Sunreef Yachts and Alkhous Marine’s catamarans took up huge amounts of berthing space on their own, making a strong case for the benefits of beam over LOA.

At the faster end of the scale were the centre- consoles, represented by the likes of Emirates Boats with its 6x Mercury 500R powered EB63, and Hayaari Marine’s colourful and superbly detailed Fisherman range.

Another stand-out addition to the marina was the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s 47-metre Jaywun – the most advanced research vessel in the Middle East. Here, visitors were encouraged to explore the Freire-built ship (the shipyard that delivered the 112-metre Renaissance last year), learning about its role in monitoring and assessing the UAE’s marine ecosystem.

Impressive line up: It was the quality of craft on show that really made an impression, as shipyards and brokers brought along their latest and greatest boats, cats and luxury yachts.

Humaid Matar A l Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of ADNEC Group, concluded: “Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show has reaffirmed its position as one of the leading yacht, boat, fishing, and marine sports industry events in the region, which contributes significantly to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading tourist destination in the region.

He added: “We are pleased with the large participation witnessed in the activities of the current session, which attracts major companies specialised in the sector. The secret to the success of the exhibition is the generous patronage it enjoys from the wise leadership of UAE, and the keenness of ADNEC Group to translate its aspirations on the ground by identifying the needs of exhibitors and visitors alike, and then developing solutions and plans that would exceed their expectations and are according to the highest international specifications and standards.

“Additionally, The Group has launched several initiatives and accompanying events in this edition for the first time in its history, which we believe will provide a unique experience for all in attendance.” We’re already looking forward to seeing what ADIBS 2024 will offer.