Kochi : India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS), which has emerged as the country’s premier boat and marine industry-related expo with its four editions, will be held at Marine Drive Grounds in Kochi from January 27 to 29, 2023. The three-day event will be inaugurated by Antony Raju, Minister for Road Transport, Motor Vehicles and Water Transport at a function to be held on January 27 at 11 am. Visitors’ time will be from 11 am to 8 pm every day.
Speaking at a media conference held at Ernakulam Press Club on Monday, the organizers and sponsors of IBMS pointed out that the state has been the maritime gateway to South India with a very long coastline and with its major port Kochi being an all-weather port strategically located on the east-west trade route. No other Indian port enjoys the proximity to the maritime highway as Kochi port. All these factors fuelled the growth of Kochi as a maritime hub.
Considering these, this year’s IBMS will be a meeting point for a wide range of stakeholders in the recreational and leisure boating market including speed boats, marine engines, navigational systems and other supply and service providers. “The event will not be just about boats and marine equipment, but will cover all water sports and activities. More than 60 exhibitors will display their products and services at the expo while we expect more than 7500 business visitors from across the region,” said Joseph Kuriacose, Director of Cruz Expos, organisers of IBMS 2023.
The event is supported and endorsed by Department of Industries, Govt of Kerala, KMRL, IWAI, Cochin Port Authority, Kerala Tourism, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, DTPC, Mariners Society-Kerala, IMU, KUFOS & CIFT. K-BIP is also putting-up an Industry Pavilion that will showcase Kerala based SME’s especially boatyards, equipment manufacturers etc. KUSUM(Kerala Start-Up Mission) is also having a KUSUM Pavilion showcasing start-ups from this sector.
Added Attraction of the Event: Cochin Motor Boat Rally 2023 to be held on January 28th and the ‘Rally Route will be a 38nm long drive will take the participants through the enchanting backwaters of Kumarakom to Kochi backwaters.
Technical Sessions is also being held on January 27th from 1.30Pm to 5.30PM and will focus on the infrastructural and equipment requirements such as marine crafts like pleasure crafts and small crafts, marinas, seaplanes and trained manpower which play an important role in addressing the tourism and water transportation sectors on the 1st day.
The organizers also said people of Kerala are increasingly getting attracted to enjoy recreational time on water and with KMRL’s Water Metro to be commissioned by this month end, will now be focussing on developing the district’s inland boating and marine facilities into a world class facility. The project is a step forward in India’s self-reliant initiative of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and represents the collective efforts of CSL, KMRL and IRS.
Well-equipped marinas and marine recreational and sports activities need to be encouraged by the both central & state governments. With proper infrastructure and equipment, India as well as Kerala can quickly become a first-choice destination for cruising and inshore water sports for the local and international tourists.
The event is organised by Kochi-based Cruz Expos who have been conducting the boat shows in Kochi and also have been regularly organising the popular FoodTech Kerala & HotelTech Kerala series of B2B trade exhibitions in Kerala for the past 14 years. Within a short span of 15 years, Cruz Expos has become one of South India’s foremost professional exhibition organisers in the B2B segment.
The Press Meet was attended by Mr. Joseph Kuriacose, Director, Cruz Expos; Mr. Ajay S. Pillai, Treasurer, Mariners Society-Kerala, Abdul Azeez, MD of ABS Marine Engineering LLP(representing the exhibitors) and Jackson Peter, CEO, Bond WaterSports.
For more details contact:
Organisers:
CRUZ EXPOS
Chingam, K. P. Vallon Road
Kadavanthra, Kochi - 682 020. India
Mob: 8893304450
mail : joseph@cruzexpos.com, event@cruzexpos.com
