Superyacht demand soars as Dubai International Boat Show 2025 sets sail

Dubai: The 31st edition of the Dubai International Boat Show kicked off at Dubai Harbour, with industry leaders optimistic about strong business growth driven by rising tourism, movement of Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UNHWIs) into the UAE, and increasing demand.

Industry leaders, both manufacturers and brokerages, expect yacht sales figures to be in the “double-digit” this year.

Host venue Dubai Harbour had to increase the number of berths at the harbour to accommodate the growing number of superyachts participating in the show.

Abdulla Binhabtoor, CEO of Shamal Holding and owner of Dubai Harbour, told Gulf News, “We continue to see growth in the Dubai International Boat Show.”

“We currently have more than 800 vessels in this area, including those that are part of the show and our marina. In our marina, we currently have 67 superyachts. We have also seen an increase in the number of flag vessels visited. Last year, our occupancy for visiting vessels was 91 per cent, and we recorded a 30 per cent increase in stay nights.”

While Binhabtoor did not provide his expectations on visitation numbers this year, he said, “We have consistently seen a year-on-year increase in visitor attendance.”

This year’s series has welcomed more than 1,000 brands and 200-plus yachts and watercraft.

Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman of the UAQ-based Gulf Craft Group, also expects a robust 2025 following the stupendous successes the home-grown yachting company experienced last year. “Gulf Craft Group sold 129 vessels, including Majesty 160 #001. Additionally, we delivered nine superyachts over 100ft, ten yachts under 100ft, and 101 leisure boats, resulting in 120 successful deliveries across all brands,” explained Alshaali.

The company also plans to open a new service and re-fit facility in Ajman by year-end, featuring a 600-ton travel lift and workshops, said AlShaali. The facility will create 120 new jobs, he said. “And this is over and above the 150 employees we recruited last year,” he told Gulf News.

The company also expanded in the Maldives with the Gulf Craft Lagoon project and secured an order for 40 vessels for Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and the Seychelles.

Brett Noble, the Co-Founder of Bush and Noble, said the company typically sells three boats per month. He provided his insight on next year's demand forecast, and he said, “I have been here for 17 years, and our business has consistently been on an upward trajectory. Sales have always been growing year over year, with each year bringing slight variations, but the trend remains positive.”

According to Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), next year’s boat show will move to April due to Ramadan adjustments. She said, “