2024 Rotterdam Boat Show cancelled

The organisers of the 2024 Rotterdam Boat Show have cancelled this year’s event, citing high costs and dates that coincide with a very early Easter weekend that may bring cold weather.

“To make the VIP catering alone possible, we’ll have to add €100 per person,” André Elevelt, Admiralty Marina harbour master, tells IBI.

Easter, the most significant Christian holiday, has no fixed date but varies between March 22 and April 25. That’s because it is based on the Jewish holiday calendar, which follows solar and lunar cycles. The 2024 Rotterdam Boat Show was planned for the Easter weeked of March 29-April 1. Organisers were counting on 3,000-plus visitors.

“Easter is very early this year. We fear the weather will be unstable, and that will translate into fewer visitors,” Elevelt said. “We misjudged this. In addition, we face significantly higher costs than in the past.”

Elevelt said the cancellation affects the 2024 Rotterdam Boat Show only.

 “We are convinced that this show has a future in Rotterdam.”

The Rotterdam event is for motoryachts ranging from fast, highly-finished dayboats and tenders to pocket superyachts. The inaugural show in 2022 was an unexpected success. It was held in the downtown Rotterdam Admiralty marina, which is framed by high-rise apartments and office towers. Last year, Rotterdam attracted some big-name yacht builders from the Netherlands and abroad. Dutch brands included Mulder Shipyard, Vanquish Yachts and Zeelander. And foreign exhibitors included Princess and Sunseeker from Britain and Azimut Yachts from Italy.