Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi International Boat Show once again proved why it is one of the region's most meaningful marine gatherings - not only for industry, but for identity, memory, and belonging.
For many, Abu Dhabi is not simply a venue; it is "home"- a place where careers began, businesses grew, and passions rooted in the sea found space to flourish. For companies like Al Suwaidi Marine (ASM), the connection to Abu Dhabi runs generations deep.
Chairman Mohamed Rajed Al Suwaidi, whose family has lived by and lived from the water for as long as he can remember, said, "All my family - my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather. We are very much connected with the water. In our blood, there is a white cell, a red cell, and a salt cell."
For him, the boat show is not simply an event - it is a platform where heritage meets modern ambition. "We always look forward to the Abu Dhabi Boat Show because we always make good deals in Abu Dhabi," he said.
"The two boats we are displaying this year were bought by Abu Dhabi customers." ASM has launched its most important models at this show, from last year's 52-foot passenger vessel to this year's 40-foot edition.
"We've been participating since the first inception of the Abu Dhabi Boat Show," Al Suwaidi added. Another long-standing partner, Capital, echoes this sentiment.
Marketing Manager Bashar Mehyar describes their participation as a responsibility, "As one of the main pillars of the marine industry in the region, we find it an obligation to participate in such events."
"What makes Abu Dhabi International Boat Show special is that each edition has something remarkable," he said. "This year, it's more of a family show – people who are interested in lifestyle rather than only trade."
For Capital, Abu Dhabi is more than a market; it is the birthplace of their journey. "Abu Dhabi is home. It's where we started with one boat in Emirates Palace Marina, and today we are in the GCC." His words reflect a truth shared by many exhibitors: the ecosystem created in Abu Dhabi is one where new ideas are born, tested, and scaled.
This year's show drew first-time visitors as well, many discovering the marine world in ways they didn't expect.
Krishna from Alisa Fun Marine in Sharjah called his experience "amazing," and said, "I discovered so many advancements in technology, especially in yachts and marine systems. I was sceptical before coming, but once I arrived, I realised how exciting this world really is." His visit was not just about the products - he connected with former clients, met new ones, and found collaboration opportunities across the exhibition hall.
Louis, an engineer at Adasi under the Edge Group, attended out of personal curiosity. "I'm very much interested in small and light boats, and this was a good opportunity to see what's happening in the boating world in the UAE," he said during his first visit.
Beyond business, innovation, and industry expansion, the show's emotional core remains the city's generational relationship with the sea.
Three young brothers attending the show said they came because it reminded them of their father-how he introduced them to the world of boats-and of their grandparents, who raised them close to the water. Their presence reflects a broader truth: the maritime spirit of Abu Dhabi is not only alive; it is inherited.
In the words of Al Suwaidi, "The people of Abu Dhabi are water enthusiasts-whether fishing, diving, or building boats."
