DIBS 2024: A Round-Up of Day One

Over 1000 brands have flocked to Dubai Harbour to display the height of maritime luxury at DIBS 2024: from superyachts, to the latest marine innovations and hypercars. 200 boats are in attendance both on land and in water, with several exciting launches and debuts set to take place throughout the show. 

Trixie LoMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at the Dubai World Trade Centre, commented on the outstanding nature of Dubai as the ultimate location for a boat show: ‘We have a world-class backdrop, world-class partnerships, and we are sitting here in a world-class destination.’

DIBS serves as a platform for the yachting industry to forge meaningful connections, showcasing the maritime lifestyle at its greatest whilst also being a great signal for the boating industry in Asia: ultimately, the show is a pioneer in the market’s growth. 

Mohammed Hussain Alshaali, Chairman of Gulf Craft, commented: ‘The show has come a long way, and has become an iconic remark of Dubai maritime and marine for the region as a whole… it is our main platform to display our products.’

Superyacht Avenue is bustling with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Oceanco, Gulf Craft, Lürssen and Feadship. A variety of yachts and concepts are being showcased to attendees, with the opportunity to network with shipyards to gain an insight into current projects and brand new innovations. 

Feadship is just one of the yards showcasing two of its most impressive concept designs, Pure and Dunes. These two concepts highlight the Dutch yard’s aim to achieve net zero by 2030, bolstered by the announcement that this year will see the delivery of the first 118m superyacht to run on hydrogen. 

Italian shipyard Ferretti also joins Feadship on Superyacht Avenue, showcasing three out of its seven brands: Ferretti, Riva and Pershing. The Riva 82 is making her Middle Eastern premier, a vessel which boasts a number of innovations, including a flybridge with an open transom, hidden garage and raised cockpit. 

A common theme across all exhibitors is the acknowledgment of the growing UAE market. After having a solid presence in Dubai for over 20 years, Sunseeker announced it is opening a new flagship office, highlighting the importance of the region to the shipyard. Sunreef Yachts shares this understanding; last year, it inaugurated a new Dubai office over the DIBS period, and this year it announced the opening of a new shipyard in the Emirates. This evident growth in the region is supported by DIBS, as a fundamental hub for the yachting industry in the UAE.

LoMirmand continued: ‘DIBS is not a commercial event; it is intrinsically linked to the development of the city, the country and the region.’ 

After a highly anticipated lead up to the show, the first day of DIBS has exceeded expectations, as attendees have marvelled at a diverse array of maritime lifestyle displays, set against the stunning backdrop of Dubai Harbour. With four more days to discover the offerings of the show, the overall excitement is unwavering as the Dubai International Boat Show has returned larger and livelier than ever before: a true celebration of unparalleled luxury.