01 February 2003 13:01
Future of Mid East's maritime industries to be examined at inaugural Dubai convention
Dubai, UAE
Organised by Seatrade the international maritime communications group the conference and its
associated exhibition has attracted close to 400 delegates from 27 countries, including the US, Europe, Russia, Middle
East and Subcontinent, and over 85 exhibiting companies from 17 countries.
The conference, that runs
until Wednesday, will be addressed by government officials and international and regional maritime industry experts who
will focus on key issues affecting the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent's shipping sector. These include the
current state of the region's maritime industries; the future for container shipping; the changing make-up of the
region's merchant fleets; maritime security; safety and the environment and the Middle East's potential for
cruise tourism.
In addition, the conference will highlight the rapid emergence of a sophisticated,
multi-dimensional regional maritime services sector, ranging from ship supply, bunkering and ship repair to ship finance
and maritime law. The Middle East and Subcontinent's potential, as a source market for cruise passengers, will be
reflected in a training programme for travel agents.
We believe this region has enormous growth
potential and the quality and diversity of speakers in the conference programme is evidence of this, said Christopher
Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade.
These are uncertain times for global sea transport, which is why
the conference programme includes sessions on maritime security and war risk insurance.
Nevertheless,
we believe the Middle East and Subcontinent have enormous potential for future growth in all sectors ranging from energy
transportation and container shipping to cruise shipping and maritime tourism, said Hayman.
Seatrade
Middle East Maritime will be held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defence Minister and Chairman, Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce
Marketing (DTCM).
The principal sponsors of the conference and exhibition are the DTCM, Dubai Ports
Authority (DPA) and ENOC. The event also has the support of the Dubai Shipping Agents' Association and the UAE
National Ship Supplies Association.
Awadh Al Seghayer, Acting Manager, Cruise Terminal, DTCM, said
Seatrade Middle East Maritime will focus international attention on the region and its cruise industry
potential.
The conference provides an ideal platform for us to network with other leaders in the
cruise business and to showcase our cruise terminal and Dubai's attractions to a high-profile target audience, Al
Saghayer said.
Dubai is leading the way forward in developing cruise tourism in the region and
operates the only dedicated cruise facility in the Arabian Gulf. By hosting major events like this, Dubai plans to
secure the future of cruise tourism in the Middle East and SubContinent.
Anwar Wajdi, Chief Director
Commercial, DPA, said shipping development in the Middle East and Subcontinent is advancing at a dynamic pace. As a
result a major maritime cluster is emerging in the region, with Dubai as one of its natural centres, he
added.
This event is the ideal forum for industry professionals to exchange information, discuss new
developments and analyse dynamic tr in the maritime industry.
This will enhance strategic
decision-making power and ultimately impact on the direction and competitive edge of their business. In turn, this will
translate into future growth and development of the region's maritime sector, Wajdi
said.
Explaining why ENOC is backing Seatrade Middle East Maritime, Yusr Sultan, Chief
Executive-Shipping, Terminaling and LPG, ENOC, said several of its subsidiaries are heavily involved in the maritime
industry, including Dubai Shipping Company, Vopak ENOC Fujairah, the company's joint venture terminaling facility
and ENOC Bunkering Fujairah.
Seatrade Middle East Maritime is the first event of its kind to be held
in this region and ENOC, which is well-known for its pioneering spirit, always likes to be associated with
ground-breaking events, Sultan said.
The maritime industry has always been an integral part of Middle
Eastern heritage it still is. Our subsidiary, Dubai Shipping Company, for instance has grown from a simple LPG
transporting company to a fully-fledged international, ISO-certified organisation. It has a growing vessel
fleet.
The synergy between Seatrade and ENOC is, therefore, more obvious that at first might appear.
We expect this event to go a long way to positioning the region as a truly international maritime hub, said
Sultan.
Seatrade will use the core capacity of Grand Hyatt Dubai's Conference Centre to stage
the event, whilst The Fairmont Hotel will oversee the accommodation facilities.
For further
information: Malcolm Ward or Nathalie Visele, MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel +971 4 3902960;
Fax +971 4 3908161.
Or visit the show online at www.seatrade-middleeast.com
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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