Another Asian Boat Show - in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

by Lee Mylchreest on 4 Jul 2012 With the spectacular growth of boating in Asia, Taiwan has decided to add yet another boat show to the growing list of international boat shows in the region. The first event, planned for April 2014, is to be held in the important southern city of Kaohsiung.

The five-day event will be held in an exhibition center which hasn't even been built yet. Construction of the new Kaohsiung Exhibition Center is currently underway and is due for completion by the end of 2013. When finished, the centre will boast a column-free 27m (89ft)-high ceiling for the display of large boats and yachts.

Like most boat shows, display areas will also be dedicated to equipment and accessories, repair and maintenance services, watersports/recreation and water tourism. Around 3,600m2 of on-water space will be available for boats in Kaohsiung marina.

Kaohsiung was a natural choice for the show. It already has a well established yacht-building cluster, with 60 per cent of all Taiwanese boatbuilders based in the Greater Kaohsiung area. Leading manufacturers based locally include Horizon Yacht, Kha Shing Enterprise and Ocean Alexander.

Kaohsiung accounts for 19 of the country's 35 yacht manufacturers and 80 per cent of the industry output, with 90 per cent of the finished yachts exported via Kaohsiung Harbour.

Organised by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Kaohsiung City government and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the first Taiwan International Boat Show is expected to attract around 250 local and international exhibitors.

Whatever the success of the show, the exhibition center itself is bound to be a drawcard, designed by Australian architect Phillip Cox.