India’s Only Water based Tourism, Sports, Leisure, Crafts & Boat Expo- India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS) to be held at Cochin and will Incorporate New-Energy & Electric Boats.
India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS) has emerged as the country’s premier boating and water transport industry-related expo with its previous seven editions, has announced their 8th Edition to be held at Bolgatty Palace Event Centre, Cochin, India from January 29th to 31st, 2026.
In an industry undergoing rapid change and innovations, IBMS is where the Boating & Water Sports Industry comes together to navigate what’s next, Boat building is a decentralized, resilient and remarkably inventive community, and IBMS is the one place each year where those innovations, challenges and ideas take centre stage. It’s where boat builders, water sports players etc connect, learn and push each other forward. The event is packed with new technologies and the technical sessions offer critical insights, and the conversations that will shape the year ahead.
The National Small Industries Corporation Limited, Govt. of India, Ministry of MSME along with South India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) are also jointly co-organising ‘India Boat & Marine Show 2026.
IBMS is the only trade show happening in the country for the Inland Water Transportation, Leisure/Rescue Boating and Water Sports Tourism sectors. With many new launches being planned by exhibitors at the show, IBMS will be a game changer for this sector. Cochin has become a hub for ship repair and ship building with the new projects being commissioned at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The projects will not only boost infrastructure, but will also provide employment and support MSMEs.
With this in context, this year’s IBMS event will include a full range of stakeholders in the recreational and leisure boating market including speed boats, marine engines, kayaks, steering systems, navigational systems and other marine equipments and service providers. The event will not be just about boats and marine equipments, but will cover all water sports equipments and activities. “More than 65 exhibitors will display their products and services at the expo and around 4000 business visitors from all over the country as well as International Trade Buyers from Maldives & Middle East region are expected to attend the expo. Exciting things are happening in the Fluvial, Inland Water Transportation and Recreational Boating Industry in India and there’s never been a better time to be part of it.
The event is supported and endorsed by Department of Industries, Govt of Kerala, NSIC, Kochi Water Metro, Kerala Tourism, Indian Coast Guard, Southern Naval Command, Kerala Maritime Board, Directorate of Naval Architecture, State Tourism Departments & State Fisheries Departments.
Vendor Development Program(VDP): On January 30th, the 2nd Day of the expo, NSIC is organising Vendor Development Program for MSMEs and will feature interactive B2B Sessions from various agencies including, Directorate of Naval Architecture, Kochi Water Metro, Indian Coast Guard, IWAI, Kerala Coastal Police, Kerala Maritime Board, etc on their requirements for procurement from MSME sector. It will also feature presentations from various State Tourism Boards on their development agenda in this sector too.
People of Kochi are increasingly getting attracted to enjoy recreational time on water and with Kochi Water Metro already a hit with ridership crossing 50 Lakhs recently. Kochi Water Metro Ltd(KMRL) will now be focussing on developing the country’s inland water transportation system 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 all agencies involved in this sector.
Well-equipped marinas and marine recreational and water sports activities need to be encouraged by the both central & state governments. With proper infrastructure and equipment, India can fast become a first-choice destination for cruising and inshore water sports for the local and international tourists.
Major State Tourism Boards have already confirmed their delegation visit to the show and includes Maharashtra Tourism, Karnataka Tourism, Tamil Nadu Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Telanga Tourism, Lakshwadeep Tourism etc for sourcing and identifying suppliers related to water sports and leisure boats. Registrations have already come from water tourism operators from Maldives and Sri Lanka for attending the expo.
The event is being organised by Kochi-based Cruz Expos who have been conducting the boat show in Kochi for the past 7 Editions and also have been regularly organising the Indian Pavilion at International Boat Shows in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Maldives for the past 5 years. Within a short span of 18 years, Cruz Expos has become one of South India’s foremost professional exhibition organizer in the B2B segment.
For more details contact:
Show Organiser:
TEAM IBMS 2026
Chingam, K. P. Vallon Road
Kadavanthra, Kochi – 682020. India
Mob: 8893304450, 8089304450
mail: joseph@cruzexpos.com, mktg@cruzexpos.com