Following a 2025 edition in Venice, the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (IWMC) 2027 will take place in Shanghai, China, from 30 March to 2 April 2027 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC). The event marks its mainland China debut, with the 2027 edition introduced at a launch event held on 29 March 2026.

The biennial event is organised by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), which has hosted the conference since it was first held in Amsterdam in 1993.

A launch event on 29 March at the SWEECC in Pudong introduced the new edition to industry participants. The event outlined what to expect from the conference and highlighted developments across Asia’s marina market.

The 2027 programme will be hosted by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets and is expected to cover marina planning, design, construction and day-to-day operations. Sessions will also address environmental considerations, policy conditions in Asia and the use of new technologies in marina management.

ICOMIA said the selection of Shanghai reflects growth in Asia’s marine sector, including rising interest in yacht tourism, water sports and coastal lifestyles. Located along the Huangpu River within the Yangtze River Delta, the city’s waterfront combines port activity, public spaces and recreational use.

Joe Lynch, CEO of ICOMIA, said: “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 commented: “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.”