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Sulayem opens Seatrade Middle East Maritime

DUBAI — Seatrade Middle East Maritime, or SMEM 2010, a leading event for the maritime and shipping industry, opened on Tuesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World and DP World, inaugurated the three-day event. Now in its fifth edition, the exhibition covers three halls offering a networking arena for the maritime industry with more than 300 exhibitors and 40 industry speakers.

“The event provides a great insight into the development of the industry. The Middle East maritime industry has stabilised well in 2010 and there is a steady increase in activity,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, organisers of the event. “Visitors to both our exhibition and conference will learn more about the current technological advancements in the industry and what to expect from the market in the near future,” he said.

The opening of the exhibition followed the Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards at the Atlantis The Palm Dubai on Monday. The event honoured individuals, companies and organisations who have raised standards across the entire maritime industry during the past 12 months.

Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, Group chief executive of Dubai World and joint vice chairman of DP World, was honoured with The Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award. Thaniah made the keynote address to delegates as the SMEM Conference opened this afternoon, with the first session ‘Middle East Voice in World Shipping’ kicking off the discussions. Taking part in the opening session of the conference was Peter Swift, Managing Director, Intertanko; Waleed Al Dawood, Chief Operating Officer, United Arab Shipping Company; Nabil M. Bourisli, Chairman and Managing Director, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Scott Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Ship Investment Company; Mohammad Souri, Chairman & Managing Director, NITC and Per Wistoft, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC. The conference programme provides an insight into the state of the market and key trends as well as sessions on the major market sectors including tanker, dry bulk and container shipping, on port development and on the region’s expanding engagement with offshore.

Some of the challenges to the industry, including piracy and the environmental issues will also be discussed.

There is an impressive conference line, hosting some of the most high acclaimed experts from the industry with a series of debates including the state of the industry, the expanding Middle East fleet and the popular Money & Ships forum, as well a number of new elements at the event. The Technical Seminar Theatre will host a series of technology forums in association with the European Marine Equipment Council. Taking place on 27 and 28 October between 2 and 4 pm, the free-to-attend forums will will be chaired by Vela International Marine’s marine operations manager,
 Talal Bakheet.

Another first this year is the hosting of the Amver Awards, making its debut in Dubai. Since its inception in 2003, SMEM has grown to become the largest event for the maritime and shipping industry in the Middle East.

Major exhibitors at SMEM 2010 include Topaz Energy & Marine, ABS, Castrol, DP World and Drydocks World.

—issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com