Regional Maritime Experts Tackle Global Issues in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Local, regional and international maritime professionals will gather in Abu Dhabi for three days of high-level debate, networking and business discussions at Seatrade Middle East Workboats & Offshore Marine 2013 – the leading regional forum for owners, operators, industry professionals and suppliers.

Discussions are set to revolve around an increasingly globalised market dynamic with the GCC continuing to lead maritime sector growth while the vast continent of Africa is also attracting increasing attention from international investors and operators.

“The industry is witnessing incredible change across all areas of operation as the decade unfolds, with technical and regulatory developments shaping future commercial strategies and macroeconomic and geopolitical influences influencing geographical demand and driving new opportunity,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade.

Building on the success of the 2011 edition, which featured more than 2,800 participants, Middle East Work Boats & Offshore Marine 2013 will welcome over 225 exhibiting companies and has seen a 9% increase in sold square metres.

“In terms of profile, design and build, equipment suppliers and offshore support companies will make up 50% of exhibitors, with navigation, communications and safety equipment accounting for a further 20%. With the inclusion of the offshore marine sector in the event, attendees will also see Offshore support vessels, yards, operators, owners and suppliers represented,” added Hayman.

Delegates will learn about the latest trends and developments in the offshore marine sector during the opening session entitled ‘Industry Outlook through to 2020’ delivered by a panel of senior industry leaders. Led by David Lyons, Founding Partner & President, Capital Partners Worldwide, the distinguished panel also includes Nabil Khalid Al Dabal, Industrial Services Executive Director, Saudi Aramco and D Ing Hassan A. Abouraya, Corporate Business Development, International Marketing & Risk Management, Zamil Offshore Services.

New this year is the ‘Global Workboat Technology Forum’ held in strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco on October 1, which will highlight the latest sector innovations through a series of technical papers.

Carefully selected topics will include presentations by Ulf Tudem, General Manager, Effect Ships International AS, covering ‘Air Supported Vessel technology’; Terje Nordtun, Project Manager, Wartsila Ship Design Norway AS
 reviewing ‘recent developments in machinery and propulsion systems for offshore support vessels’; and Rudi C. Joustra, Managing Partner, Lambda Marine on ‘the
 electronic highway’.

Also new for 2013 are Regional Power-Hour sessions, which will address the specific challenges and complexities of two prominent geographic regions – the Caspian and Africa.

The line-up of experts eager to share their experiences will include Paul Jarkiewicz, General Manager, Topaz Marine; Zamig Ismayilov, Chief Operations Officer, Caspian Marine Services Limited; Chandru Sirumal Rajwani, President, Caspian Shipyard Company Limited; Knut Mathiassen, Regional Head – Shipping Finance – Middle East & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank; Ify Anazonwu-Akerele, Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping; and Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman and CEO, Starzs Investments Company Limited.

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Seatrade, October 1, 2013