THE START OF THE BEGINNING

When the 2019 Dubai International Boat Show came to an end with the usual horn blasts little did we know that it would be the last show for a while. A year later and we were headed for lockdown and that was it. DIBS was rescheduled, then rescheduled again for 2022. Would it even happen? Well, yes, yes it would. Dubai World Trade Centre were one of the first show organisers in the world to get back to face-to-face events, and the team had already used Dubai Harbour as the location for #NoFilterDxb, an ‘edgy’ car show that turned out to be an excellent event. The signs were therefore extremely good for the 28th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, for many in the business, it was one of the best Dubai boats shows ever.

THE LOCATION

Dubai Harbour is a world-class location. Spacious, clean, modern and with a view that few boat shows can equal, it really is an amazing base. When the sun goes down and the light transitions from ‘golden hour’ to dark, the skyline backdrop, which stretches from the Arjan Rotana to the Ain Dubai lights-up in a myriad of colours and shapes which makes the likes of Cannes, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale seem positively dull. Add a positive, laid back ambience and a friendly, no pressure atmosphere and you have the basis for a great boat show, even before you take into account the yachts and boats both in and out of the marina.

IN THE MARINA

Although the boats and the yachts are the undoubted stars of the show, for 2022, it wasn’t particularly easy to source craft. Courtesy of the pandemic’s disruption of the supply chain, stock yachts are now a rarity in the industry meaning it’s not easy for shipyards to actually find yachts for the stands, often relying on the generosity of owners. However, most owners won’t allow visitors on board, which is understandable, so for the show, we were missing a few models. That didn’t stop the likes of Gulf Craft though, who displayed 14 vessels from its Majesty Yachts, Nomad, Oryx Sports Cruiser and Silvercraft brands at the event. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Umm Al-Quwain shipyard debuted its Nomad 70 and Silvercat 40CC while Gulf Craft’s Chairman, Mohammed Hussein AlShaali, revealed details of a brand-new superyacht, the Majesty 111.

Other notable brands in the water were Azimut, with Seas & Deserts bringing along a 78, and a pair of Grandes; the Ferretti Group line up consisted of a Riva 100’ Corsaro, two Pershings (8X and 9X) along with the Gulf première of the Custom Line Navetta 30. Other notable marina attendees were Sunreef, Sanlorenzo, Princess, Evo Yachts Cranchi, De Antonio, Numarine and local shipyard, Integrity (by Riviera Boat).

OUT OF THE MARINA

While the in-water yachts get all the Insta attention, a lot of the show’s big business takes place on the hard standing areas. Visitors (once through the VIP lounge) got to explore the Equipment Supplies & Services area, a vast marquee housing exhibitors from around the globe. Literally everything could be found within this air-conditioned hall, from deck fittings to marina investments. Marine equipment specialists Exalto had stands both inside and outside the hall, and were joined by show regulars Navisafe, plus a large contingent from Italy. The Italian Trade Agency hosted 50 companies in the ESS hall, three times as many as the last boat show in 2019, a strong indicator of how the country’s sector has remained stable during the uncertainties around the pandemic.

Once outside, it was boats all the way, with the north side of Dubai Harbour becoming home to the local boat builders, supercars and food trucks. There was some impressive machinery on show including a quad Mercury V12 outboard set up on an IMG 540. That’s 2,400 horsepower on a 16-metre sport fisher. ASM, Dubai Police, Belassi, Bluecat, Iguana, Invincible, Al Dhaen, Ocean Boats and Al Rubban all had some serious machinery on display, many of which were new models.

THE BEST YET?

For the industry, finally being able to catch up and have face-to-face meetings was invaluable. The entire five days was basically running from meeting to meeting, with new many new industry faces joining the old. It was however Dubai Harbour that came across as one of the most talked about aspects. It really is a world-class location. Easy to get to with no more parking nightmares, it is the perfect base for a show. The displays were of the highest quality and the overall upbeat atmosphere made it a pleasure to experience. All in all, a magnificent return to the yachting calendar for the Dubai International Boat Show.