The Fifth edition of the Gulf Maritime exhibition, the region's only maritime event dedicated to meeting the complete requirements of the commercial, government, and the military maritime industry, got underway at Expo Centre Sharjah on Monday, April 16, 2007. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, Chairman, Diwan Al Amiri - Sharjah.
Present at the inauguration ceremony were Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports Authority, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, and officials of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.
The three-day exhibition, under the Patronage of Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, is hosting 110 exhibitors from 20 countries including a national pavilion from Romania.
It is for the first time that the Gulf Maritime Exhibition is featuring a dedicated pavilion from Romania. The pavilion is an initiative of the Romanian Ministry of Commerce and Trade and ANCONAV - the Romanian Shipbuilding Association.
Displays at the exhibition include Deck machinery and other vessel equipment, Docking equipment, Electronics, Communication and navigation systems, Engine and propulsion systems, Fuel and lubricants, Ride control systems, Sound and vibration control systems, Marine interiors, Paints and coatings, latest vessel building designs and technology, equipment for fishing, Offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, and patrol boats, Ship repair and port operations products, and Cargo handling services.
"The regional maritime sector is currently experiencing phenomenal growth," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of SCCI after the opening ceremony.
"The growth in the regional maritime sector has opened a plethora of opportunities for the global marine companies. The Gulf Maritime exhibition is intended at providing these companies with a firm foothold in the region. For regional maritime companies, the event is the Middle East's most comprehensive sourcing channel. The Gulf Maritime is the region's only exhibition that can claim to be a full-fledged sourcing platform for each and every sector of the maritime industry, be it commercial, government, or military," he added.
According to the regional maritime industry, tankers, especially VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) and LNGCs (Liquified Natural Gas Carriers), will witness a significant rise in demand from the GCC States during the next 4 to 5 years.
The demand may be attributed to the various upgradation projects of existing refineries, building of new ones, and a host of ongoing liquefaction projects, in the region.
Currently, maritime companies in the Middle East, both local and international, are competing with each other to acquire almost every kind of vessel including containerships, bulk carriers, VLCCs, gas carriers, bunkering vessels, and all related workboats. However, it is the VLCCs and LNGCs that are of particular interest to the regional maritime operators. Whereas the former is keeping in mind the vast potential in exporting refined products to high growth economies, the latter is in line with the booming global LNG trade.
Almost 2/3 of the world's oil trade moves by tankers.
On the LNG front, between 2000 and 2005, global LNG trade rose by almost one-third. By 2010, liquefaction capacity is expected to double to 345 million tonnes/year (tpy) at an estimated investment cost of USD $ 73 billion.
Interestingly, nearly half of all the liquefaction projects are being built in Middle East and Africa, keeping in mind the European and North American markets.
It is estimated that new LNG tankers on order will cost more than USD $ 32 billion.
The participation of the large number of global maritime majors in this year's Gulf Maritime Exhibition clearly indicates that the regional maritime industry is sailing full steam ahead.
Rolls Royce, Stromme, MTU, Cummins, Kobelt, Saab Rosemount, Reintjes, Hamriya Free Zone, Sharjah Ports Authority, ZF Marine, Westfalia, Wartsila, IHC Holland, UTS, Asry, Berg Propulsion, Kobelt, Thrustmaster, and Kongsberg are some of the major participants in the exhibition.
"Gulf Maritime 2007 is occupying a total exhibition area of 4,000 sq. m. This is over and above the outdoor display area at the new marina behind Expo Centre Sharjah," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.
The Gulf Maritime Exhibition, besides being an established one-stop sourcing venue, is also considered to be an important forum for taking up crucial issues facing the regional maritime industry for debates and discussions. This year too, the Gulf Maritime Conference on the sidelines of the exhibition on April 17, 2007, will address several important issues involving the Middle East maritime sector.
"The regional maritime sector is no doubt facing unprecedented growth," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa.
"However, the growth has also posed several challenges for the industry. The hosting of the Gulf Maritime Conference at such a time assumes special significance," he added.
Currently, among the major causes of concern for the regional maritime industry is the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ban on the usage of single hulled vessels that comes in to effect in 2010. This would render about 33% of the fleet phased out.
Also, most of the shipyards have already reached their full capacity and are fully booked till 2008.
Issues that will be featured at the current edition of Gulf Maritime Conference include Islamic Ship Finance from a regional ship owner's point of view by well-known shipping expert and senior legal consultant with Cyprus-based Economides, Dionysiou & Co., Mr. George Zambartas, criminalization of maritime accidents by Mr. George Chalos, Partner of US-based Chalos, O' Connor & Duffy, Natural gas powered ship by Dr. Mohamed Mosaad, Professor of Ship Performance and Propeller at Suez Canal University, Egypt, Design for Construction of Floating Oil Field Structure by Mr. N.T. Anildas, CEO of India-based Conceptia Software Technologies, and Maritime Education and Training by Capt. M.A. Shafique, Principal of Maritime College in Pakistan.
Like in all previous editions, product presentations too will be an important element of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition.
Given the unique profile, the Gulf Maritime Exhibition will attract a large number of visitors belonging to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) maritime industry. Categories of visitors will include Vessel Owners and Operators, Ship and boat builders and repairers, Ship chandlers, Classification society and naval architects, Suppliers/Manufacturers/Repairers of engines and propulsion systems, Marine engineers, Suppliers of shipbuilding material, marine equipment and services, and electronic equipment, and Government agencies from across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The Gulf Maritime Exhibition is an initiative of Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
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© Press Release 2007
