Abu Dhabi: International and regional shipping operators, ports, financiers and other maritime professionals will gather in Dubai today for the seventh biennial edition of Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM).
The three-day exhibition and conference will run from October 28 to 30 as part of Dubai Maritime Week at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 7,000 participants from 67 countries are expected to attend the event.
“In the two years since our last event, the growth in global trade has presented the international maritime industry with both exciting opportunities and operational challenges. With 4.5 per cent global growth expected this year, which is nearly double the 2013 figure, and 90 per cent of worldwide trade moving by sea, overcapacity in a number of market segments, high operating costs, a tightening regulatory environment and the ongoing threat of piracy are all key issues affecting the future profitability of the maritime sector,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, organisers of Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2014.
This year’s interactive conference programme will bring together a panel of maritime industry leaders, influential economists and shipping analysts for an in-depth analysis of where the industry stands today, along with practical insight into the supply and demand balance and economic outlook for major markets; expansion prospects for regional shipping companies into world-class players; financing and investment and the role of regional banks, and maritime services infrastructure.
The keynote session on the first morning is chaired by international journalist and broadcaster, Mishal Husain, whilst the list of prominent keynote speakers includes Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Vice-Chairman of DP World; Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World and Group CEO; Rashed Al Hebsi, CEO of Emirates Classification Society (TASNEEF); Mohammad Al Otaibi, Vice-CEO (Finance) of BAHRI; Abdul Kareem Al Masabi, Vice-President — Operations at ADPC; Jørn Hinge, President & CEO of United Arab Shipping Company; and Mohab Mameesh, Chairman of Suez Canal Authority.
“Launched in strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco, the forum is a unique platform for a meeting of minds between international thought leaders, global industry decision-makers and sector specialists with incisive technical paper presentations that will provoke debate and encourage knowledge sharing for the benefit of the sector as a whole,” said Hayman.
