Caribbean Maritime Centre looks for Gulf Investment

Speaking in advance of its regional debut at the Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM) exhibition in Dubai this December, a representative of the St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg) said ocean-going trade would dominate the Gulf's rising export industry.

"As the Middle East's political situation gets calmer, trade and exports within the region will grow and shipping will carry 80-90% of that growth in trade," said Nigel Smith SKANReg's International Registrar of Shipping and Seamen.

The St. Kitts & Nevis Government is now touting increased inward investment from the Middle East and is planning to spearhead the drive at SMEM at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 4-6 via SKANReg and St. Kitts Financial Services, the marketing development department of the St. Kitt's Ministry of Finance.

"With over half our registered ships coming from the Middle East it is our government's desire to increase investment from the region," explained Smith. "We already have over 250 ships registered with a total deadweight of over 750,000 tonnes and are acknowledge by some industry experts to be the fastest-growing ship registry by vessel numbers with an average of 14 ships a month registered."

Middle East companies already registering vessels with SKANReg include FAL Shipping, Dubai Coast Shipping, United Marine Cargo Services, Gulf Energy, Akron Trading and Novstar Shipping. SKANReg is represented in the region by International Shipping Bureau (Dubai) LLC.

"The SKN Government is also looking to increase its diplomatic representation in the area by appointment of Honorary Consuls in the near future to assist the efforts of Ship Registry and Financial Services. There is already a close link with the International Cricket Conference (ICC) now being headquartered in Dubai and St. Kitts hosting matches during the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in 2007, including those of the champions Australia," said Smith.

SMEM is set for its largest showing in the event's history with exhibitors from 32 countries confirmed, including nine national pavilions from China, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, India, Norway, Pakistan and Turkey.

"The exhibitor footprint is extensive covering the Caribbean, the Balkans, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Far East, Scandinavia and the Sub-continent," explained Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade - the international maritime publisher and events organiser behind SMEM. "The exhibitor profile is equally diverse spanning the entire spectrum of the maritime industry from registries, equipment suppliers, shipbuilders and repairers, owners and charterers, insurance and legal providers, ship management and agencies and classification societies.

"And with a huge influx of new-to-market exhibitors the prospects for expanding business horizons is immense. SMEM's growth mirrors the increasingly positive outlook for the Middle East's shipping industry with virtually all sectors experiencing regional growth, from container and chemical, general and project as well as tanker."

A three-pronged conference programme will run alongside SMEM 2006 which will dedicated segments for the cruise, general shipping and SuperYacht sectors. SMEM 2006 will also feature training workshops for travel agents.

Meanwhile, the third Seatrade Dubai International Maritime Awards (DIMAs) will be presented at a gala dinner to coincide with SMEM 2006. The awards are the leading honours recognizing top industry achievers in West and Central Asia.

SMEM 206 is sponsored and supported by Dubai Maritime City and the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.

SMEM 206 is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Principal sponsors are Gulf Energy Maritime and the National Iranian Tanker Company.

SMEM 2006 is officially supported by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Shipping Agents Association, DP World and the International Association of Ports & Harbors.

Other sponsors include Aalborg Industries, Clyde & Co, BP Marine, Bulk Shipping & Trading, Charter Trade Global LLC, Dena-BMS, Dubai Drydocks, Emarat Maritime, Lloyd's Register, Nico International, Norton Rose, Scan-Trans Middle East and Sharaf Shipping Agency.