The 2023 edition of the Dubai International Boat Show came to end on March 5th after welcoming thousands of boating enthusiasts from around the world to the Dubai Harbour, the Middle East’s largest superyacht marina. With over 200 yachts on display and 44 new launches and innovations being highlighted, this was the biggest Dubai International Boat Show to date. For the second year in a row, YATCO was a proud media partner of the show.
Experiential Yachting Forum
The second edition of the sold-out Experiential Yachting Forum was held from March 1-3, in partnership with the Dubai International Boat Show, the leading yacht show in the Middle East. More than 130 attendees, speakers, visionary partners, and guests gathered to discuss the latest news and innovations for yachting in the region. Many concepts were introduced, including Multifunctional Superyachts – luxury yachts also being used to elevate one’s brand and business. Similarly, the concept of Holistic Yachting was introduced as an approach to yachting operations that also combines integrated healing, preventive healthcare, eco-responsible healing, as well as awareness of the social impact of yachting.
The partnership between AERA.Health and Experiential Yachting was announced which aims to provide the industry with essential solutions related to Longevity and Preventive Healthcare on yachts. This will include concrete projects and packages to transform yachts with the appropriate equipment and services for a healthier lifestyle onboard.
Finally, an update on the Neuroscientific experiment conducted last year, where Maria Alekseenko Magan of Experiential Yachting, and Claudia Batt of Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting, presented research on how the rolling of sea waves during meditation aboard a small watercraft (in this case, a jet ski), augmented their meditation experience.
Julian Amengual, PhD, was proud to share that “we show clear evidence of the higher behavioral benefits and enhancement of physiological correlates of well-being after performing meditation at the sea compared to meditation performed on land.”
As the founder of Experiential Yachting, Maria Alekseenko Magan shared, “In a world that requires fresh thinking and new solutions, yachting can play an important role in our humanity. Therefore, we need to rethink and implement new business models and a new yachting philosophy.”
Exciting New Launches at the Boat Show
A number of exciting new launches were unveiled at the Dubai International Boat Show. A total of 44 global and regional launches were unveiled including yachts from Beneteau, BehneMar Yachting, De Antonio, Ferretti, Gulf Craft, Lagoon, Oceanco, Ocean Independence, Riva, Sanlorenzo, Silent Yachts, Sunreef and Sunseeker Gulf. UAE yacht builder, Gulf Craft unveiled its highly anticipated Majesty 111 and newcomer, Nomad 101, while Azimut displayed several yachts including the Premiere Fly 68, Fly 53, S10 and 27M.
Oceanco revealed its latest revolutionary design, Aeolus, named after the Greek god of wind. Created in line with Oceanco’s NXT initiative, Aeolus is built in harmony with evolving perspectives on the environment and lifestyle. With exterior design from Giles Taylor and interior design from Njord by Bergman Design House, Aeolus demonstrates that authentic sustainability of the future can still be beautiful and stylish.
Marcel Onkenhout, Oceanco’s CEO shared, “as our newest Oceanco NXT design, she is an example of how we envisage the evolution of yachting, from the perspectives of both her design and technology. To build the yachts of tomorrow, we need to leave behind the preconceptions of yesterday. With Aeolus, I think we have achieved that.”
The Latest in Marine Innovation and Technology
A total of 1,000 brands were on display, demonstrating their products to over 30,000 visitors. Over 200 of those brands, representing 51 countries, were on hand at the Equipment, Supplies and Services (ESS) exhibition showcasing the future of yachting, making it the largest marine equipment event in the Middle East. Cummins Arabia, a leading manufacturer of engines and generators, presented its 45KW hydrogen fuel cell model, generating clean power for stationary and mobile applications, successfully reducing or removing the need for fossil fuels completely.
Elcome, a technology services provider, displayed its Starlink high-speed internet service, which can provide high-speed internet with low latency on boats across the globe. Other exhibitors were on display including Cobham, Finixa, Garmin, Seakeeper and Sontara, among others.
Another exciting edition of the Dubai International Boat Show welcomed plenty of visitors, beautiful yachts, innovative technologies, diving and fishing competitions, seminars, live music and so much more. YATCO was proud to be a media partner for the second year in a row and looks forward to the next one!
