Largest floating exhibition for Barcelona’s 60th boat show

From 12-16 October, the Barcelona International Boat Show will put on a large floating exhibition for its 60th anniversary, with the addition of the Marina Port Vell to the traditional Fusta and España docks as part of its display area.

Barcelona International Boat Show will host around 200 exhibitors with 700 boats present – with around 200 of them on the water.

“This is a very special year, as the show is adding new areas with the aim of remaining the largest commercial exhibition for Spanish yachting, thus contributing to the growth of the sector and promoting its transformation,” says show president, Luís Conde. “For the first time, there’ll be an area in which the latest advances in innovation and sustainability will be showcased.”

Organised by Fira de Barcelona in partnership with the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), the boat show will feature products, displays and craft from the domestic and international marine markets.

The organisers say that ‘the show is preparing an event that will focus on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability as the main strategic pillars, in keeping with the needs of the sector.’

The Moll de la Fusta will host Innovation Dock, a display of innovations developed by national and international nautical start-ups, together with a jetty where two prototypes of sustainable boats, one powered by hydrogen and the other by electricity, will be moored.

This dock will also bring together the event’s largest floating selection of sailing yachts and an outstanding range of on-land equipment, accessories and services.

The España and Marina Port Vell docks will host a large floating exhibition with a selection of motor yachts and catamarans in the area known as ‘Marina Dream’.

To support the development of nautical sports, the Barcelona International Boat Show will become the main partner of a series of events and regattas set to take place throughout the year, including the Ruta de La Sal for sailing cruise boats, the Windsurfer Europeans La Brava Cup, and the Solo Med for 6.50 class boats. The show will also partner the America’s Cup due to be held in 2024.

There’ll be a VIP buyers programme for those interested in acquiring boats over 15 metres, enabling this clientele to meet with the main shipyards and attend the show privately.

In addition to the on-site event in October, the Barcelona International Boat Show will run its Nautic 6.0 digital platform and provide relevant content via a podcast (Gente de Mar) and TV programme (NauticTV), which will be broadcast after the event on the Movistar+ NauticalChannel – and a new blog called Nautic News.

Show director, Josep Antoni Llopart, says: “The event is seeking to stand by the side of everyone who forms part of the nautical community, which is why we’re committed to supporting the organisation of different competitions and we’ve launched an ambitious programme of digital contents to go beyond each year’s on-site event.”