Seatrade Maritime Middle East Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Future of UAE’s Maritime Industry

Press release

Published May 3rd, 2018 - 06:03 GMT

Experts are confident that 2018 is going to be an even more significant period in the Arab nation’s journey as investments in ports, logistics, and smart innovation technologies continue to pour in.

As one of the region’s most developed maritime centers, the UAE has been making headway in its journey towards becoming a multi-dimensional global commercial shipping and maritime hub. Experts are confident that 2018 is going to be an even more significant period in the Arab nation’s journey as investments in ports, logistics, and smart innovation technologies continue to pour in.

It is against this backdrop that the Seatrade brand of UBM EMEA hosted the ‘Seatrade Shipping and Maritime Industry Roundtable’ today (Wednesday, May 2, 2018), which saw the attendance of leading industry names who gathered to discuss pressing issues facing the sector and take part in the immense knowledge and expertise sharing opportunities during the forum.

Emma Howell, Global Marketing Manager, Seatrade portfolio, UBM EMEA, said: “The UAE has been taking major strides in its quest to build inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable commercial shipping and maritime communities. Winning the Category B membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council was a further endorsement to the country’s world-class capabilities to support all major aspects of the industry and ensure its continuous growth and development.

“Seatrade’s roundtable served as a platform for all major stakeholders to look into these opportunities further and tackle key challenges to help the local industry move towards its goals. Additionally, it was an opportunity for the participants to network with industry leaders and their like-minded peers that could further grow their businesses. We are enthusiastic about the positive results of the event and active participation of our attendees as we look forward to the same fruitful discussions in the future.”

Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade was the moderator of the event which focused on a range of topical issues, including intelligent shipping and automation; cyber security; regulatory challenges for the industry and its response to the 2020 sulphur deadline; and the state of the local, regional, and global markets and the factors likely to influence them in the year ahead.

Other topics included liquefied natural gas as a fuel for the future; the UAE and Dubai’s role as a maritime centre and its election to the IMO Council; the changing pattern of world trade and its implications for the ports; the implications for ports of consolidation and re-alignment in the container trades; and the diversification and development of new opportunities in the region.

The renowned group of speakers comprised Fazel Fazelbhoy, Chief Executive Officer, Synergy Offshore FZ LLE; Marcus Machin, Chief Executive Officer, Tufton Oceanic; Chris Peters, Chief Executive Officer, ESHIPS; Rayan Qutub, Chief Executive Officer, King Abdullah Port; Capt Tony Field, Marine & Offshore Manager, Middle East & Africa, Lloyd’s Register, and Ali Shehab Ahmad, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC).

Prior to today’s gathering, a networking event also took place yesterday (May 1, 2018) with 80 industry leaders where Hayman discussed the ongoing transformation in global trade and the importance of strategic platforms to tackle these issues – and highlighted Dubai’s effectiveness as a global meeting place for the maritime industry. Mr. Nawfal Al Jourani, Chief Officer, Dubai Maritime Cluster Office, also spoke at the event to share the developments in the upcoming UAE Maritime Week.

Seatrade Maritime Middle East is the maritime meeting place for international and regional ship owners and operators, ports, financiers, and other maritime professionals. This year’s edition will focuson encouraging maritime professionals to network, do business, strengthen and nurture new relationships, while hearing about industry topics within relevant and comprehensive conference sessions. Seatrade Maritime Middle East will he held from October 29 to 31, 2018, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE, and as part of the UAE Maritime Week.

Background Information

Seatrade

UBM is one of the world’s leading B2B events organisers providing vibrant and dynamic events enriched with digital and print media

Its events allow its customers to make connections and do business efficiently and effectively. UBM has three principle businesses: UBM Americas, UBM Asia and UBM EMEA who together provide high quality Events and OMS activities through regional focus, closely collaborating when brands extend globally. UBM is the largest "pure-play" exhibitions organiser in the world, No.1 International Exhibitions organiser in China, India and Malaysia (Asia) and No.1 Exhibitions organiser in the US.