Dubai International Boat Show 2022

The 28th Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) was held in the new Dubai Harbour Marina. The five-day show was an event that saw the Middle Eastern yachting community re-connect and network at the region's premier event.

The newly open Dubai Harbour, with its large marina basin and air-conditioned structure surrounded by the iconic skyscrapers of Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and the Emaar Beachfront, made the perfect setting for the regional show. In order to accommodate the strong market trend towards larger yachts, the marina has 700 berths, some of which are capable of taking yachts up to 160m in length. This year all the big  names were there on Superyacht Avenue: Benetti, Feadship, Oceanco, Lurssen, Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, Ferretti, Heesen, Amels/Damen, Behnemar, and SYBass. Unfortunately some of the larger yachts were unable to put in an appearance at the show this year, but hopefully there will be more yachts on display next year.

DIBS also saw a number of APSA members exhibiting at the show, including Sebastiano Fanizza and Naabil El Jammal (Benetti), Janet Xanthopoulos (Rosemont Yacht Services), Ochuko Ogidigben (Travel Cue), Margaux Detry (Sail Lanka), David Good (Australia International Marine Export Group, AIMEX), Gregory Benassi (Cluster Yachting Monaco) and Gregory Bonin de Pissarro (World of Yachts).

Ferretti Group showcased four superyachts - the Navetta 30m from Custom Line, the 8X and 9X from Pershing, and the Riva 100 by Riva. Alessandro Tirelli, Sales and Marketing Director of Serial Business at Ferretti Group, said, "It is so significant for Dubai International Boat Show to have a dedicated superyacht space. The facilities here are stunning. It is important not just for the exhibitors, but also the public to have somewhere we can display our collection. In the future, we cannot wait to bring even bigger yachts."

Local superyacht and boat builder Gulf Craft exhibited in force at the show, with a Majesty 120 superyacht and 11 more large yachts and boats from its four brands. Gulf Craft's business development manager, Mahmoud Itani, said, "the show has been very busy with clients, and we have seen the return of customers from Kuwait and Qatar, two of our major markets, and (pleasingly!) a large number of clients from Europe."

Sanlorenzo exhibited the 27m SX88, which made its regional debut. "It's good to be back in Dubai, and the new Dubai Harbour is beautiful," said Luca Cristino, VP of Sales and Marketing, Sanlorenzo Spa. "The Middle East market is growing massively, not only for local customers but for also for international buyers, and DIBS continues to draw a broader international audience."

Feadship sponsored a Feadship lounge, art gallery and VIP lounge. Chief Marketing officer of Feadship, Farouk Nefzi, commented, "There has been a great buzz around the show after a two-year break. We have seen many quality visitors and most importantly, many new visitors.”

Azimut-Benetti exhibited five yachts in conjunction with their GCC dealer Seas & Deserts. Laura Sandrone, Head of Media Communications at Azimut, said, "the region has shown sales growth of 47% for us, and now accounts for 25% of the company turnover. Sales in recent years have included over half of the 15 units of the Azimut Grande Trideck flagship already sold since 2021." Nabil El Jammal, Benetti Area Manager for the Middle East and Turkey said, “Dubai is an important market with excellent growth prospects, and opportunities for development such as Saudi Arabia where we are expecting interesting results in the near future."

According to the DIBS organiser the Dubai World Trade Centre, the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region boasts the world's second-highest fleet-to-billionaire ratio. Dubai's maritime sector, leisure and commercial shipping, accounts for AED 26.9bn of the emirate's GDP. Riju George, Group Director of Portfolio Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said, "We have seen a tremendous success across all sectors this year at the Dubai International Boat Show, and we have managed to bring the community together after two years with a truly exciting line-up of yachts, equipment, services and marine lifestyle brands."

Original Reporting by Mike Derrett/IBI