The 33rd ZAGREB BOAT SHOW, the most significant event of its kind, was officially opened today at Zagreb Fair. In six fully booked exhibition pavilions, in a space filled with the scent of the sea and luxury, more than 300 exhibitors from 32 countries will be presented.

In the coming days, boating enthusiasts and industry professionals will have the opportunity to admire more than 230 vessels on display, including as many as 34 Croatian premieres.

Special emphasis has been placed on domestic shipbuilders. Their remarkable turnout confirms the Zagreb Boat Show as a key meeting point where Croatian business excellence, tradition and long-standing experience attract exceptional interest from both local and international visitors.

The fair is held under the auspices of the City of Zagreb and the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia.

The Zagreb Boat Show was inaugurated by Luka Korlaet, Deputy Mayor and Envoy of the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, who stated on the occasion: “The band Haustor has a song titled “My City Got a Port Tonight“ and tonight our city has once again gained the most beautiful port on land stretching across six pavilions with more than 300 exhibitors and 230 ships and 34 Croatian premieres. These are truly impressive figures that continue to grow year after year. Zagreb Fair is a place where tradition, engineering excellence and a passion for navigation come together once again.“

“It is said that the sea does not ask who you are, but how much you know and how willing you are to learn. It is precisely this combination of knowledge, experience and courage that drives the nautical industry forward, and us as organisers as well. In a time of strong digitalisation, the direct experience of a vessel remains irreplaceable, because decisions about navigation are guided not only by reason, but also by feeling. At this fair, a special place belongs to our Croatian shipbuilders and the strength of domestic production, which stands alongside an impressive fleet of foreign manufacturers, thereby demonstrating the competitiveness of our industry. This edition of the Zagreb Boat Show also confirms our continued commitment to building long-term relationships, through stronger partnerships, joint project development and even closer collaboration with our exhibitors and the entire nautical community. We believe that value is created not only during five fair days, but through year-round cooperation. Synergy multiplies: when knowledge, experience and trust are combined, the result is always greater than the sum of individual contributions”, said Renata Suša, Zagreb Fair Director, at the opening.

Addressing the audience, Zoran Ušurić, Project Manager of the Zagreb Boat Show, said: “For years, Zagreb Fair has been transforming, as if by magic, into a luxurious marina in the heart of Zagreb. Given that I have been leading this fair since the end of the last millennium, I believe we have never before had such an impressive number of exhibitors and premieres, which alone shows how valued and important this fair is for the nautical sector”. On that occasion, he also thanked all the exhibitors for their participation.

Žarko Tušek, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure and Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, noted that alongside the impressive figures of the Zagreb Boat Show, it should be mentioned that Croatia has 70 marinas and nearly 17,000 berths. On an annual basis, more than 50,000 foreign yachts sail in the Adriatic Sea and Croatia accounts for 40% of the charter industry.

Petar Šimić, Memeber of the Parliament and Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, emphasized at the opening that our coast, islands, ports, shipyards and marinas are part of our identity and economic strength. The nautical sector and shipbuilding create more than 1,000 jobs in our region, Šimić said.

The ceremonial atmosphere of the opening was enriched by a performance of the male a cappella group “Stablina”, which brought the spirit of Dalmatia to the heart of Zagreb.

The Zagreb Boat Show is open until Sunday, 22 February, with an admission ticket price of EUR 8, while the price for pupils, students and pensioners is EUR 5.

Opening hours: 10:00 - 19:00, on Sunday until 18:00.