Business Bureau, Gulf Today

With one month left until the grand opening of the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS 2019), the event has already attracted several prestigious exhibitors, sponsors and partners from the UAE and across the globe.

Set to run from Oct.16 to 19 2019, the highly anticipated exhibition will showcase the latest trends in leisure marine from leading industry players.

Organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec), the inaugural edition of ADIBS took place in October 2018 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s purpose-built 31,000-square-metre marina. The event provided a world-class platform for local and international marine companies to introduce their products and services to more than 21,000 attendees. Last year’s show attracted over 270 exhibitors from 25 countries across the Middle East, Europe, America and Asia Pacific.

ADIBS 2019 will showcase luxury yachts, leisure marine equipment and reflect marine market trends from around the world, with an increased spotlight on foiler technology, houseboats and catamarans, which have become widely popular in UAE waters due to their durability, ample space and engine speeds.

The catamarans set to appear at this year’s exhibition are renowned for their quality, elegant aesthetics and economical composite construction. Catamaran companies that will participate in the show include Powerplay Catamarans from Australia and Riviera Boat Industrial Investment Company from the UAE. Houseboat manufacturers exhibiting their products at the show include Al Kouz Marine and High Boats that will display seven boats collectively. Bahrain’s V-Marine will join the line-up for the first time to showcase two of its most popular houseboats.

James Denison, Founder and Lead Designer of Powerplay Catamarans, said: “We are excited to launch our brand in the Middle East at ADIBS 2019. Our luxury power catamarans deliver an unbeatable performance and can flexibly transform into passenger or private crafts.”

He added: “Our clientele ranges from governments in the South Pacific region to elite heads of corporations, and Hollywood movers and shakers. The UAE offers the perfect landscape for craft experts to build synergies and benefit from serious business opportunities.”

Wael Juju, Founder of V-Marine, said: “V-Marine specialises in the shipyard manufacturing of floating resorts and niche houseboats that are proudly powered by solar energy. This year, we look forward to displaying our luxury eco-friendly boats at ADIBS for the first time. The event will provide an ideal platform for marine industry companies to present their products to tens of thousands of visitors.”

Meanwhile the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has completed its preparations ahead of hosting the UAE Maritime Week 2019, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, as part of the enhanced efforts to establish the UAE’s leadership as a first-class maritime destination and a strong competitor on the global maritime map.

The fifth edition, taking place from Sept.22 to 26, will highlight the achievements of the UAE’s maritime sector and emphasise Dubai’s leadership in the Middle East as the emirate ranked first regionally and fifth globally among the best maritime centers in the world for 2019.

The upcoming event promises to attract maritime industry leaders from around the world as it offers a unified platform to explore the future of the maritime industry from the perspective of innovation, knowledge and smart transformation, in line with the rapid changes of the 21st century, said the statement from DMCA.

Additionally, the attendees will explore the prospects of maritime trade growth through a series of high-level seminars that facilitate exchanging the best international practices and most successful experiences, including Dubai’s transition to a major maritime portal for global trade, it added.

Amer Ali, the executive director at DMCA, said, “The UAE Maritime Week is once again re-affirming Dubai’s position as a preferred global destination for leading maritime events, providing a strategic platform to enhance the convergence, communication and interaction between maritime industry leaders, strengthen bridges of knowledge transfer, and share international best practices that will advance the maritime industry to a new level of growth and sustainability.”

“This unique event presents an ideal opportunity to showcase Dubai and the UAE as being at the forefront of the global maritime map, and emphasise the continuous support of the wise leadership to upgrade the capabilities of integrated and advanced infrastructure and modernise legislation and laws to provide the best maritime and logistics services that match the best in the world,” stated Ali.