Shanghai to host 2027 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference
Shanghai is China’s largest economic and financial hub
The ICOMIA World Marinas Conference will take place in Shanghai from 30 March to 2 April 2027, marking its first edition in mainland China.
The biennial conference, organised by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), has been held since 1993, when it was first staged in Amsterdam. Previous host cities include Genoa, Fort Lauderdale, Sydney, Singapore, Dubai and the Algarve.
The 2027 edition follows the 2025 conference in Venice. Organisers say the move to Shanghai reflects increased attention on the Asian leisure marine sector and its infrastructure. The city – China’s largest economic and financial hub – is located on the Huangpu River and forms part of the Yangtze River Delta, a region with established port facilities and ongoing waterfront redevelopment.
Shanghai’s waterfront includes a mix of industrial sites, tourism areas, public access zones and recreational boating facilities. The conference, which focuses on global marina development and waterfront infrastructure, will also explore how these elements are integrated within marina planning and operations throughout the city.
Sessions will cover marina development, waterfront planning, feasibility studies, design and construction. Technical discussions will examine operations, sustainability and the application of smart technologies in marina environments. The programme will also offer presentations and panel discussions given by industry specialists.
ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2027 – Shanghai launch event
A launch event for the 2027 conference took place on Sunday (29 March 2026) at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre in Pudong. The event invited marina equipment suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and representatives from the tourism and hospitality sectors to enjoy a rundown of the conference framework and its areas of focus.
Conference sessions at IWMC 2027 Shanghai will address sustainable marina development, regulatory conditions in Asia, marina technologies and cross-border collaboration. The programme will also consider how international partnerships can operate within regional policy frameworks.
IWMC 2027 Shanghai event details:
Date: IWMC 2027 Shanghai will take place 30 March to 2 April 2027, beginning with an evening reception on 30 March.
Venue: Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC)
Further information will be made available on the event website.
Joe Lynch, ICOMIA CEO, says: “Shanghai is the ideal stage for the 2027 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference. It is the premier gateway for international capital entering China and a strategic springboard for Chinese enterprises going global. The ICOMIA World Marinas Conference will be a powerful catalyst for aligning Asian marina standards with international best practices, driving the entire region’s economic growth.”
Jeff Feng, of Shanghai SinoExpo Informa Markets, adds: “Shanghai is a city where the vision of a ‘symbiotic marina’ is becoming a reality, with large-scale integration of commercial, touristic, and public waterfront spaces. Hosting the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference will significantly elevate Shanghai’s status on the global yachting map.”
