The currently running 23rd edition of the Dubai International Boat Show is set to close its doors in the fantastic Dubai yacht holiday location tomorrow, on Saturday, March 7, 2015. The event is hosting some of the finest superyachts and boats, luxurious automobiles, small to mid-sized vessels, as well as the all-new sectors covering Fishing, Sailing and Watersports.
Aerial view of the 2015 Dubai International Boat Show
With brisk sales, attractive deals, and key industry agreements taking place at the Dubai International Boat Show 2015, running from 3 – 7 March at Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi, the show continues to be the leading marine exhibition in the region.
“The quality of visitors this year has been superb, and business is truly booming. The overall vibe at this year’s show is extremely positive, even amongst competitors, and it really feels like the true maritime culture coming together. There is no better place where we could have unveiled our newest superyacht, AS100, and we’re very happy to report another successful year,” said Sultan Al Shaali, CEO of Al Shaali Group.
Ibrahim Youssif, a Commercial Pilot from Etihad Airways, is attending for the second year in a row and is seeking a large boat to purchase. “I visited last year to buy a small boat for weekend use however, this year I want to buy a boat that is large enough to live on. I’ve already been looking at Gulf Craft’s Nomad 65 and 75, which suits my lifestyle and the size of my family, and we’re considering which one to buy.”
DIBS 2015 – Families and visitors
Key industry agreements announced on site
Among the significant agreements that have taken place is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kleindienst Group – developer of the Heart of Europe complex at The World Islands, and ART Marine, which will have the Middle East-based 360-degree regional leisure yachting enterprise manage four to six boutique, individual marinas within the resort. As part of the agreement, clients who purchase a villa at The Heart of Europe development will be offered an option to receive an exclusive Riva Iseo boat, as a bundled package, from ART Marine.
In a similar breakthrough agreement, local company Dar Al Tawasel, regional distributor for the unique Seabreacher high performance watercraft which can jump over, dive under, cut through waves or do a full 360 barrel roll on the water, will also be providing their iconic Seabreacher X model in the form of a shark-style body to purchasers of “The Seahorse” underwater villas at The Heart of Europe, via a partnership with Kleindienst Group, which was announced at the show.
ART MARINE and Kleindienst Group Collaboration
Leading UAE-based yacht and boat manufacturer Gulf Craft announced a key agreement at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Higher Colleges of Technology to develop avenues for the training and education of the UAE’s future maritime professionals. The agreement, signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, will see Gulf Craft provide a number of scholarships for HCT students studying Maritime Engineering and Naval Architecture, as well as provide work placement opportunities.
In a ground-breaking campaign, 23 of the world’s leading superyacht manufacturers, building the finest large yachts in the world, have agreed to work together to promote the extraordinary features of superyachts to a broader audience. The Superyacht Life programme, launched at this year’s show, is designed to promote the whole superyacht industry and bring innovation, craftsmanship and inspiration to a new, wider audience, via a new elite magazine and an exclusive website.
Gulf Craft MoU
Much more than superyachts and boats on offer
Returning this year is the Retail Village, focused on nautical retail products such as swimwear, nautical footwear, watches and accessories, as well as DMEX, which showcases the latest in diving equipment, regional dive centres and international dive destinations.
Newly added this year to reflect the growing trend of aquatic sports and activities, DIBS Water Sports is dedicated to all related activities – including kayaking, canoeing, and jet skiing plus surfing, kite surfing, and wind surfing, with a dedicated testing pool for water sports enthusiasts.
With the growing interest in sailing in the region, DIBS Sailing offers members of the public the chance to enjoy the pleasures of sailing at the show. Visitors can take the helm, trim the sails or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as they soak up the atmosphere of Dubai Marina, with the unique opportunity to participate as crew on a Match Race, promoted by DUBOATS, tomorrow from 3pm to 5.30pm opposite berth MD-51 (near Seas and Deserts Group stand). Fishing, a long integral sport and vocational activity in the region, is also on showcase at DIBS Fishing, with a huge range of tackle, the latest rods and equipment as well as casting demonstrations and more.
The Supercar Promenade returns to the show for a fifth year running, with a dazzling array of world-class marques showcasing the fastest, newest and most innovative vehicles from powerhouse high-end motoring manufacturers such as McLaren, Bentley and Mercedes, and modified automobile specialists.
The 2015 Dubai International Boat Show, in its 23rd edition, is taking place at the Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi, and will close tomorrow (Saturday, 7 March). The show is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm – 9:30pm daily.
