DP World CEO to Give Opening Speech at TOC CSC Middle East

TOC Events announced that Mr. Mohammed Sharaf, Group Chief Executive Officer of DP World, is confirmed to give the opening keynote address at the upcoming TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East conference, taking place on 9-11 December at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.

With over two decades of experience in the transport and logistics industry, Mr. Sharaf has played an integral role in the extraordinary development of Dubai’s container terminal into one of the world’s largest marine terminal operators, with a portfolio of more than 65 terminals across six continents, including new developments underway in India, Africa, Europe, South America and the Middle East.

DP World is once again the host port for TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East, part of the world’s longest running port-centric logistics events family, as it returns to Dubai for the third time.

Mr. Sharaf headlines an impressive speaker line-up comprising cargo owners and expeditors, container shipping lines, and global and regional port operators. Together, they will debate the implications of the projected world-scale investments in maritime and intermodal infrastructure planned for the Middle East and neighbouring regions over the coming few years.

Among the highlights of this year’s conference is the Opening Plenary debate on 9 December which will take a helicopter view of the Middle East port landscape. With as much as US$40 billion slated for investment in the region’s ports, the Middle East is now firmly one of the world’s primary centres for port planning, development and operations. But is the expected growth in port capacity likely to outstrip demand? Even if this turns out not to be the case how can Middle East ports implement integrated logistics services to align maritime infrastructure with that of the hinterland?

As well as hearing from Middle East operators including Martijn Van de Linde, CEO at Abu Dhabi Terminals, and Jay New, Commercial Director for the Gulftainer Group, the opening session will take views from two high level executives from outside the region: Sean Pierce, CEO of the Yilport Group, a major player in the neighbouring Turkish market, with interests in container, bulk and general cargo handling and logistics, and Erich Staake, President & CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Diuisport) in Germany, the owner and management company of the world’s largest inland port.

In July this year, DP World commissioned Duisport to draw up an integrated port-hinterland concept for Dubai’s Port of Jebel Ali. Mr. Staake’s views on critical success factors for inland port operations, and integration of coastal and hinterland supply chain infrastructure, are expected to yield some lively debate.

Running alongside the TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East conference is a trade exhibition of port services, equipment and technology, featuring some of the leading international and regional suppliers. TOC Events is honoured to announce that for the first time this year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ports Authority will be among the exhibitors in Dubai. As the Arabian Peninsula’s largest economy, Saudi Arabia itself is undergoing massive investment in new and updated port and logistics infrastructure.

TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East 2013 comprises an executive-level conference, free-to-attend technical seminars, extensive trade exhibition and high-level networking opportunities. The event runs 9-11 December at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Now celebrating its 3rd annual edition in Dubai, TOC CSC Middle East attracts over 300 delegates and a further 1,000 visitors to the exhibition.

[mappress]

TOC Events, September 19, 2013