A Round-Up of Marine Innovation and Technology That Was Unveiled at the Show
Dubai International Boat Show 2023 showcased the most cutting-edge technologies in the marine industry at the Middle East’s largest superyacht marina, Dubai Harbour. As one of the most prestigious events in the global boating calendar, the show attracted leading brands and industry leaders from around the world to unveil the latest products, designs, and technological advancements that are driving the industry forward.
From smart shipping, autonomous technology, advanced materials and more; the show provides a platform for global industry leaders to present the most inventive breakthroughs to the local and regional market. With over 1,000 brands presenting the latest in marine excellence to over 30,000 ocean lovers and industry insiders, the show is annually the ideal platform to witness first-hand the integration of next-generation technologies and how they are being applied across the marine industry.
Largest marine equipment event
Many of these technological innovations were found at the show’s Equipment, Supplies and Services (ESS) exhibition, the largest marine equipment event in the Middle East, which serves as a platform for consumers and buyers from all over the world to find all of the marine essentials and specialised equipment needed to keep their boats afloat. More than 200 brands representing 51 countries demonstrated the future of marine living in real-time, including Cummins Arabia, Cobham, Elcome, Finixa, Garmin, Seakeeper, Sontara and many more.
Cummins Arabia, a leading manufacturer of engines and generators, used the event to exhibit its 45KW hydrogen fuel cell model, which can be used to generate clean power for stationary and mobile applications.
Although still at the prototype stage for use in the recreational yachting industry, once it reaches the market, Vivek Vincent, Engine Sales Manager for UAE, Cummins Arabia, said the latter would successfully reduce operating costs by reducing or removing the need for fossil fuels completely, which is also extremely beneficial for the environment.
The game-changing product attracted the attention of Dubai Boat Show visitors, with Vivek adding: “This is our second year exhibiting at the boat show and the experience so far has been fantastic; the turnout has been amazing and we are seeing a lot of footfall even on the weekdays.”
Presenting passenger safety solutions
As well as seeing trade visitors expressing interest in sustainable tech, the 29 th edition of the show, which took place in March 2023, also saw demand for the latest technological innovations for security, safety, and passenger experience.
Elcome, a provider of technology solutions for yachts and sports fishing boats, displayed its range of solutions for making operating boats safer, more entertaining, and more efficient. The company has become one of the first global partners for SpaceX, for its Starlink high-speed Internet service, which provides high-speed Internet with low latency on boats of all types anywhere in the world. Jimmy Grewal, Executive Director, Elcome, described Starlink as a “revolutionary service” and said that Elcome is “very pleased with the response that we are getting from our global customers at the show, and we are working hard to ensure that they are able to take full advantage of the capabilities of the system.”
Dubai-based MPE presented a range of brands at the show that includes the latest colour management systems. Cromax uses a next-generation web- and cloud-based technology that helps body shops and boat refinishers improve productivity and achieve a perfect colour match quickly, reliably and efficiently. Gulfam Mirza, Technical Manager for MPE praised his experiences at the show, adding “the response from our customers has been great and we have received some fantastic feedback.”
For the 2024 instalment of the Dubai International Boat Show, even industry players are expected to showcase their latest innovations and technological advancements, driving the industry forward. With a growing demand for sustainable and efficient solutions in the marine industry, we can anticipate welcoming even more exciting breakthroughs.
