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Qatar Boat Show 2025 won four awards at Eventex 2026, one of the most recognisable accolades in the global events industry, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.The show received Silver in the ‘Middle Eastern Event’ category, alongside Bronze in three additional categories: ‘Trade Show’, ‘Consumer Show’, and ‘Outdoor Event’. The recognition follows the success of the second edition of Qatar Boat Show, held at Old Doha Port from November 5-8, 2025 under the strategic platform ‘Beyond the First Horizon’. Its latest win across four distinct categories reflects the event’s performance on multiple fronts. The Silver in the Middle Eastern Event category acknowledges the show’s expression of regional hospitality, its connection to Qatar’s maritime heritage and the wider boat and yacht manufacturing sector, and the high standard of execution and event organisation. Engineer Mohammed Abdulla al-Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port and chairman of the Qatar Boat Show Organising Committee, said: “These four awards reflect the work that goes into Qatar Boat Show across every layer of the experience since its launch in 2024, from the marine showcase and the trade platform to the outdoor programming and the regional hospitality that defined the 2025 edition. “To be recognised internationally after only two editions confirms what we have set out to do: position Qatar as a credible marine destination on the global stage, and Old Doha Port as a waterfront capable of hosting events of international standing.” “As we look to the third edition this November under our ‘Crafting Wonderful’ campaign, the same standard of craft and intention will define every part of the show, in line with Qatar’s wider ambitions under Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly across tourism and economic diversification,” al-Mulla said. The Bronze in Trade Show recognises the event’s role as a working B2B platform and as a venue for the exchange of expertise between local and international companies. The second edition welcomed more than 505 brands and 65 boats and marine vessels from 105 countries, with a combined value of QR880mn, and attracted over 27,000 visitors across its four days. The Bronze in Consumer Show acknowledges the 25% increase in exhibitors between the first and second editions, alongside the breadth of the show floor, which featured global and local yacht-building companies, specialist industry experts, and diving and fishing equipment. The Bronze in Outdoor Event reflects the design of the show as a fully open-air waterfront experience, with a marina-centric layout that made optimal use of the existing infrastructure, on-water and on-land yacht choreography, and a day-to-night programming structure. 

Held under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the 3rd Qatar Boat Show 2026 will take place from November 4-7.The organisers at a press briefing Tuesday at Raffles Doha, revealed that major leading marine brands and industry experts will participate in the event contributing to strengthening Qatar's position as a leading destination in the global maritime sector.The CEO of Old Doha Port and chairman of the Organising Committee for Qatar Boat Show, Mohammed Abdullah al-Mulla, said: "The Qatar Boat Show was launched based on a firm belief in the ability of Qatar to add exceptional value to the maritime sector globally and Old Doha Port is the ideal place to embody this vision.""The campaign slogan, "Crafting Wonderful," embodies the identity and message of the show, in which the rich maritime heritage is shaped, relationships and partnerships are formed, and the finest experiences are created along one of the most important waterfronts in the region," he added.According to him, the previous edition of the exhibition attracted more than 27,000 visitors from 105 countries, and witnessed the participation of 65 boats and marine vessels, with a total value of QR 880mn.Mohamed al-Atwaan, chief operating officer of Old Doha Port and the show director, emphasised the event has evolved rapidly to become a recognised name internationally.“Qatar Boat Show has moved beyond establishing itself,” he said. “We became a platform, a well-known, well-positioned platform in the region and even globally.”According to al-Atwaan, the show’s success is underpinned by growing confidence from international exhibitors and visitors. “They believe in Qatar Boat Show as a platform to display their latest technologies in terms of the yachting industry, fishing boats and fishing equipment,” he noted, highlighting the diversity of offerings."The strong response to the 2024 and 2025 editions has played a key role in shaping this year’s ambitions. The positive feedback that we got is reflected now on our preparations for 2026,” he said, adding that organisers aim to build on this momentum.Al-Atwaan stressed that the show has quickly positioned itself among leading regional and global events. “In two years or two editions, we became one of the well-known platforms with the trust of international companies continuously participating,” he remarked.Central to the 2026 edition is its newly unveiled campaign theme, “Crafting Wonderful”, which reflects a broader vision for the event. “This is reflected in whatever we do for the boat show,” al-Atwaan explained, citing organisation, yacht design, networking opportunities and industry agreements as key elements.Beyond the industry focus, the show is also set to expand its engagement with the wider community. He pointed to “side activities and activations that we are offering for all the community,” underlining efforts to make the event more accessible and interactive.“We are looking for a unique edition that would be better than the last two editions,” al-Atwaan added.The campaign theme embodies the essence of the Qatar Boat Show, an event that fosters creative ideas and contributes to their development and realisation. The campaign draws its meaning from the concept of "craftsmanship" in the maritime sector, symbolising a commitment to the highest standards evident in every aspect of the show. 

Oxford and Cambridge in action during the men's University Boat Race in London, Saturday.  

Egypt began a public live restoration of King Khufu’s ancient solar boat at the newly-opened Grand Egyptian Museum Tuesday, more than 4,000 years after the vessel was first built. Egyptian conservators used a small crane to carefully lift a fragile, decayed plank into the Solar Boats Museum hall — the first of 1,650 wooden pieces that make up the ceremonial boat of the Old Kingdom pharaoh. The 4,600-year-old boat was built during the reign of King Khufu, the pharaoh who also commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza. The vessel was discovered in 1954 in a sealed pit near the pyramids, but its excavation did not begin until 2011 due to the fragile condition of the wood. “You are witnessing today one of the most important restoration projects in the 21st century,” Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy told reporters. “It is important for the museum, and it is important for humanity and the history and the heritage.” The restoration will take place in full view of visitors to the Grand Egyptian Museum over the coming four years. The project is funded by a $3.5mn grant from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), with Japanese archaeologists working alongside Egyptian specialists.Eissa Zidan, head of conservation projects at the museum, said the wooden planks were “thermally degraded and in a very weak condition”. “For this reason, archaeological missions had long avoided working on this project,” he told AFP. Egyptian and Japanese archeologists have been treating the boat’s planks and oars using organic materials, including nano-cellulose and Klucel E, that Zidan said met international restoration standards. The museum also houses a second solar boat from the same era, discovered in significantly better archaeological condition and previously exhibited next to the pyramids of Giza. Visitors have been flocking to the Grand Egyptian Museum since it opened in early November. Fathy said the museum receives an average of 15,000 daily visitors, and on some days even draws as many as 27,000 people. The government hopes the museum will help revive the tourism sector, which accounts for around 9% of Egypt’s gross domestic product and employs nearly 2mn people. After years of struggle due to political instability and the Covid-19 pandemic, Egypt hopes to increase tourist numbers by about 7% in 2026, from 19mn visitors this year, according to Fathy. 

Sixteen migrants and a people trafficker died when their inflatable dinghy capsized early Friday in the Aegean Sea off the Turkish resort of Bodrum, the coastguard said. It was the latest in a series of migrants deaths on the short but perilous route between the Turkish coast and the nearby Greek islands of Samos, Rhodes and Lesbos that serve as entry points to the European Union. "The dead bodies of 16 illegal migrants and that of a trafficker have been recovered," the coastguard stated, adding two migrants had been rescued. The local governor's office had earlier given a death toll of 14 migrants, stating on X that a migrant had managed to alert the coastguard to the emergency. One of the two survivors, an Afghan, told rescuers that the vessel had sunk barely 10 minutes after starting to take on water. He had been forced to swim for six hours to Celebi Island, he added. Authorities did not give the nationalities of the other migrants. Bodrum lies less than five kilometres from the Greek island of Kos. According to the Missing Migrants Project run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), nearly 1,400 migrants have died trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea this year. Turkey, which signed an agreement with Brussels in 2016 to stem illegal immigration into the European Union, hosts more than 2.5 million refugees on its soil, the vast majority Syrians, say officials.

Ticket sales for the second edition of the ‘Qatar Boat Show 2025’ are officially open. On November 5-8 Old Doha Port will once again transform into the heart of global maritime luxury, bringing together world-class yacht builders, marine innovators, and lifestyle brands from across the world. This year’s edition is poised to be bigger, better, and more spectacular than ever, celebrating Qatar’s spirit of heritage, innovation, and maritime excellence.

Four people, including a child, were killed after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of an island in the eastern Aegean Sea. The Hellenic Coast Guard reported that a patrol boat recovered the bodies of two women, a man, and a girl from the sea off the southern coast of Lesbos. The Coast Guard added that a partially submerged boat was found near a rocky part of the nearby beach. 34 survivors managed to reach shore on their own and were found by police.

Old Doha Port has successfully concluded a milestone participation at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, achieving its goal of strengthening Qatar’s presence at global exhibitions, fostering dialogue with international maritime industry experts, and promoting both the Qatar Boat Show 2025 and Old Doha Port as a premier maritime destination in the region. Held from 24–27 September at Port Hercule, it sponsored the prestigious Upper Deck Lounge for the first time and joined global leaders at the Summit program in the closing panel on creating sustainable superyacht destinations. Old Doha Port’s sponsorship of the Upper Deck Lounge placed its brand at the heart of the Monaco Yacht Show’s most exclusive setting. Old Doha Port’s pavilion attracted significant attention with its strategic location in the Upper Deck Lounge and welcomed His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco during his tour of the exhibition. He was received by Eng. Mohammed Abdullah Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port, who presented a brief overview of the port’s developmental stages and the objectives of its participation in the Monaco Yacht Show. Recognized as a meeting point for yacht owners, VIPs, and premium lifestyle brands, the lounge offered the Port an opportunity to connect with influential audiences and showcase Qatar’s role in the luxury maritime space. Alongside its sponsorship, Old Doha Port joined the Monaco Yacht Show Summit program in the closing panel on sustainable superyachting. The discussion gathered senior representatives from leading destinations to exchange ideas on how the industry can grow while protecting marine ecosystems, where Old Doha Port shared its approach of combining eco-conscious infrastructure with community-driven initiatives. “Our participation in Monaco reflects Qatar’s vision for a sustainable and diversified future,” said Engineer Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port. “We are demonstrating how world-class facilities, cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility can come together to create lasting value for the global yachting industry.” With this year’s successful presence in Monaco, Old Doha Port continues to elevate Qatar’s profile on the international maritime calendar and reaffirm its commitment to building a destination defined by both sustainability and global connectivity. Old Doha Port - Anchored in Tradition, Sailing into the Future  Once a historic commercial harbor, Old Doha Port is a bustling lifestyle destination that blends Doha’s rich seafaring legacy with innovative marine services, sustainable practices, and cultural depth. Serving as the world’s maritime gateway to Qatar, the centrally located port features a world-class 450-berth marina, a 24/7 operating cruise terminal, the nation’s largest slipway, over 250,000 square meters of greenery, and vibrant cultural spaces like the Mina District and Containers Yard.  With offerings ranging from watersports and cultural experiences to art installations and major events like the annual Qatar Boat Show and fishing competitions, Old Doha Port celebrates Qatar’s legacy while pioneering its maritime future and enhancing its global tourism profile.

Three fishermen went missing while eight others were rescued after a fishing boat sank off the coast of Cua Viet in Quang Tri Province (central Vietnam) today, due to storms and strong waves caused by Typhoon Bualoi in Vietnam. Local authorities reported that a boat carrying four fishermen completely sank. One of them managed to swim to shore, while the other three were lost at sea. Another boat carrying seven fishermen broke down and was pushed into a breakwater by waves. According to Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Typhoon Bualoi made landfall this morning in the sea between Quang Tri and Da Nang, packing winds of 118–133 kilometers per hour and waves exceeding seven meters in height, amid warnings of extremely dangerous sea conditions. Coastal waters from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai, including islands such as Con Co and Ly Son, are expected to experience increasingly strong winds, ranging from level 6–9, and waves reaching up to seven meters amid extremely dangerous sea conditions.

HE Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani Sunday announced a dramatic return to international power boat racing after an 11-year lay-off from the sport.The former Qatari offshore racer was a regular front-runner in the UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship and the American racing scene until he stopped competing at the end of 2014.His former British throttleman Steve Curtis MBE has continued to compete in the highest echelons of the American offshore racing scene and the duo will join forces for the 44th Annual Offshore World Championship at Key West in Florida on November 2nd-9th.With support from Qatar’s Ministry of Sport and Youth, the duo will revive the legendary Spirit of Qatar 96 racing hull name with a new boat and compete in the Extreme class.“Our last race together was in 2014 but we will be testing during the third week of October before heading to Key West,” enthused Sheikh Hassan.“The goal, of course, will be the podium and to set plans in motion for the 2026 season. It will be a new boat for us to run together but I am sure that Steve and I will settle in quickly.”One of many highlights for the duo during their former association with the Spirit of Qatar Team was obliterating the water speed record with a stunning second run of 244mph at the 26th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in central Missouri in 2014.The iconic Key West racing festival is fought out over three races.After the customary parade through the streets of Key West on Sunday, November 2nd, technical checks and registration is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd.Official testing will take place on Tuesday, November 4th with the first of the Extreme races for the Truman Waterfront Cup and the on-water fireworks taking centre stage on Wednesday, November 5th.Further testing is permitted on Thursday, November 6th before the second race for the Southernmost Continental Championship on Friday, November 7th.Numerous spectator-friendly events are planned in Truman Waterfront Park on Saturday, November 8th, before the final race for the Conch Republic Championship rounds off the action on Sunday, November 9th.