Future of Middle East's Maritime Industries to be examined at inaugural Dubai Convention

The Middle East's first integrated maritime conference and exhibition for the general shipping and cruise industries, Seatrade Middle East Maritime, opens at the Grand Hyatt Dubai Conference Centre on Monday, February 3.

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 trends 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.