Large ships, higher quality, and international buyers: the new direction of the Boat Show

More super-sized boats than ever before, a new luxury dining area, and a clear objective: attracting major international buyers. These are the three elements that define the new direction taken by the Barcelona International Boat Show, which will be held from October 8 to 12 at Port Vell and—for the first year—also at the Barcelona docks. Organized by Fira de Barcelona in collaboration with the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), the event reaches its 62nd edition with the participation of nearly 200 exhibitors and some 500 boats showcasing the latest developments in the sector, with a greater variety of models and lengths than ever before.

The event will bring together major names in the nautical industry such as Brunswick, the Beneteau group, Absolute, Azimut, Yamaha, and Zodiac, and will also include top-tier firms making their debut this year, such as Sunreef, Horizon, Kawasaki, and Pearl. Also joining the show are new Spanish shipyards—such as Kumbra, Level, and Cleemenss—and Italian ones—such as Explorer and Rio Yachts—strengthening the international presence of this year's edition. The boats on display will showcase the latest advances in design, efficiency, and sustainability, with notable debuts such as the world premiere of the Horizon FD100, a 31-meter yacht.

With 24% of its on-water show featuring large vessels (between 16 and 30 metres), the show expands its exhibition space and incorporates the Barcelona dock for the first time into the Port Vell exhibition offering, which also includes the Muelle de la Madera and parts of the España, Depósito and Sota docks. An electric shuttle boat will connect both banks to offer a complete 360° tour.

Turn of the helm

This year's edition aims to mark a turning point in the history of the Boat Show. "We are committed to a substantial improvement in the overall quality of the event," says its president, Luis Conde. He also highlights the increased presence of large boats and the debut of new content designed for a more exclusive audience, such as the Village. The show thus embarks on a new direction that seeks to position Barcelona as a major capital of high-level boating.

With the motto "The Boatique," the fair launches its new Strategic Plan, the aim of which is to position itself among the major international events in the sector. The show's director, Josep Antoni Llopart, emphasizes that "our intention is to reposition ourselves on the international calendar as a higher-level event," and is confident that, within a maximum of three years, this change in scale will attract more leading firms and global presentations to the city.

One of the major new features of this edition is the Village, a 2,500 m² space located on the Drassanes dock, next to the Portal de la Pau, designed as a social and business meeting point for visitors, exhibitors, and professionals. With the participation of brands such as CaixaBank, Occidente, Espígulo Inmobiliaria, Quadis Landmotors and Tara, the Village will offer a premium experience that includes a tasting menu designed by chef Rafa Zafra – with restaurants in Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Ibiza and Monte Carlo – and an open bar with haute seafood tapas by Le Chef Ca.

Innovation and sustainability

From October 8 to 11, the Boat Show will also feature an intense professional agenda under the umbrella of Ágora-Port, the conference program coordinated by the Port of Barcelona. More than one hundred experts will meet at the Terminal Drassanes building to address topics such as port sustainability, zero-emission shipping, digitalization, and the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence in marine maintenance and research. Participants will include David Pino, director of the Port Vell of Barcelona; Mohamed Ounaya, president of the Port of Tangier; Pau Guasch, manager of Seabots; Tomás Azcárate, president of Marines de España; Esther Roca, general director of Ports of the Generalitat; Mireia Latre, director of the Barcelona Nautical Institute; and Mireia de Mas, co-founder of Ocean Structures.

Beyond the experience, nautical activities play a key role as an economic driver. "It's a strategic sector undergoing a transformation, and the Boat Show is a fundamental tool for driving its innovation, internationalization, and competitiveness," says Jordi Carrasco, general manager of ANEN. Despite the slight decline in the market—5.3% fewer registrations between January and August compared to the previous year—the show reaffirms its position as a major platform for anticipating the future of boating.