Boat shows are back and better than ever. For sailors interested green boat shows, the news is even more promising! A growing number of boat shows in 2022 are highlighting electric yachts and emerging technologies designed to reduce the environmental impact of boating.
For example, the MDL Marinas Green Tech Boat Show June 16-18 in Plymouth, UK, is specifically designed to shine a spotlight on the marine industry’s green products and technologies. According to Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director, “The focus of the Green Tech Boat Show is helping boat owners and prospective boat owners understand what is available to them when it comes to making the switch to greener options.” This year, the organizers are showcasing a zero-emission autonomous surface vessel modelled after the mammoth whale shark that gobbles up plastic waste and unwanted biomass.
The organizers of the Newport International Boat Show September 15-22, 2022, in New England, USA, recognize the special relationship of the event to the “Ocean State” of Rhode Island by emphasizing ocean protection and conservation as part of their planning and programming. Each year organizers select a charitable partner. Recent partners include Sailors for the Sea and Clean Ocean Access. This year's partner is the environmental organization Better Bay Alliance. The Newport for New Products (NFNP) Awards Program includes a “Green” category award. Recent winners include the electric Oceanvolt-powered Salona S46 by Green Yacht Sails and the all-electric outboard by Flux Marine.
What are the dates and locations for these and other major international boat shows and conferences promoting “green” events or sustainability themes? Read on for information about green boat shows and conferences upcoming in June-December 2022!
June 2022
GreenTech 22
GreenTech 22 is advertised as “…the not-to-be-missed event of the year for anyone interested in the maritime industry, green technologies, and innovation in sustainable maritime transportation.” Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program for the North American maritime industry that aims to guide the maritime industry towards environmental excellence by encouraging maritime enterprises to adopt concrete measurable actions that go beyond regulatory obligations. The event is focused on issues related to maritime transportation rather than recreational boating.
- June 8 – 10, 2022
- Omni Mont-Royal Hotel in Montreal, Canada
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Decarbonization
- Alternative Marine Fuels and Propulsion
- Green Corridors and Dititalization
- The Circular Economy
- Pollution at Sea
- Green Marine purchases quality carbon credits to offset travel and other activities related to the annual conference.
Green Tech Boat Show
The Green Tech Boat Show is designed to shine a spotlight on the marine industry’s green products and technologies with a view to making boating more sustainable.
- 16 to 18 June 2022
- MDL Marinas, Queen Anne's Battery, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 0LP, U.K.
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- WasteShark (showcased by RanMarine Technology): the zero-waste, zero-greenhouse gas emission autonomous surface vessel removes floating plastic waste and unwanted biomass from waterways.
- ePropulsion UK is teaming up with Blue Electric to introduce visitors to its electric drive outboards and POD drives for yachts
- Making its UK debut is the RemigoOne, a fully integrated electric outboard which uses a long and short shaft fitting system.
WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport Museum (30th Annual)
- June 24-26, 2022
- Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Talks, such as “Boat Design on Computers”
- Skills demonstration related to wooden boat building
July 2022
Sydney International Boat Show (SIBS)
- 28 July to 1 August 2022
- ICC Sydney and Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Not yet reported when this post published
September 2022
Cannes Yachting Festival
The Cannes Yachting Festival is one of Europe’s leading in-water boating events. This mammoth show includes two locations, Vieux Port for motor boats and the sailing area at Port Canto. The show includes a “Green Route” and innovation space.
- 6-11 September 2022
- Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- “Green Route” to highlight eco-performance solutions
- “Innovation Space” to showcase intelligent start-ups in the nautical sector offering breakthrough technologies or high added-value services
- Exhibitors include electric yacht and catamaran builders, electric motor manufacturers, and more
- Examples of exhibitors for 2022 include the Ic36 Independence from Independent Catamaran, the Silent 60 from Silent Yachts, and Torqeedo
Wooden Boat Festival
The Wooden Boat Festival is the largest wooden boat festival in North America. The festival organizers recognize that wooden boat “culture” is founded on renewable resources, repair and maintenance, and long-term thinking. The organizers state that, “…we want our oceans to be healthy places to play, learn, and live for us and the marine wildlife that depend on them for generations to come.”
- September 9-11, 2022
- Port Townsend, Washington, USA
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Highlight green partners, including state agencies and nonprofit partners
- Series of talks leading up to the event, such as “Can We Electrify our Boating to Reduce our Carbon Footprint?” by Nigel Calde.
The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS)
The Newport International Boat Show in New England, USA, is one of the largest in-water events in the country and the premier boat show in New England. The Show promotes and highlights the importance of green innovation. For example, the Show Partner, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) recognizes exceptional marinas that join the state’s voluntary Clean Marina Program at its annual awards breakfast during the Show.
- September 15-22, 2022
- Newport Yachting Center Marina, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, Rhode Island 02840, USA
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Newport for New Products (NFNP) Awards Program with a “Green” category award
- A Charitable Partner program. The 2022 Partner is the Better Bay Alliance.
- Manufacturers like Salona Yachts (the Salona S46 was a past winner of the Green Award)
The International Boat Builders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX)
IBEX is North America’s leading technical boat-building showcase. IBEX is owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (www.nmma.org) and RAI Amsterdam (www.rai.nl).
- September 27 – 29, 2022
- Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL USA
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Design of Electric & Hybrid Propulsion Systems for Small Craft
Southampton International Boat Show (53rd Edition)
The Southampton International Boat show is Britain’s biggest boating festival. The show features products ranging from paddleboards to superyachts.
- 16-25 September 2022
- Southampton International Boat Show at Mayflower Park, Southampton
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Last year the organizers held a pollution clean up
October 2022
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF). The event is recognized as one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. The show organizers describe the event as “…a socially responsible, sustainably developed, and environmentally responsible event…”
- 26 – 30 October 2022
- Maine location: Bahia Mar Yachting Center 801 Seabreeze Blvd. Ft Lauderdale 33316
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- The 2021 event was reportedly powered by 100% renewable electricity and “is committed to become carbon neutral by 2025”
November 2022
METSTRADE Show
The METSTRADE Show is advertised as the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems. The show is the only international B2B exhibition for the marine leisure industry.
- 15 – 17 November 2022
- RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Selected “green” events and manufacturers
- Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement (jointly run by IBI and METSTRADE)
- Sustainability Panels. Prior panels have explored questions like, “‘‘How green is green in the leisure marine industry?”
- DAME Awards marine equipment design competition (31st season)
- Building Boats with Cleaner Composites
- Clean hulls – essential for sustainable boating and marine diversity
- Sustainable Marine Powertrains and Alternative Fuels
- YETI – Environmental rating system for superyachts
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Do you know of a boat show or event you think should be included in this list? Please contact us and we'll be happy to add the show or event!
