Seatrade Middle East Maritime set for 2008 expansion

Seatrade - the publishing and events house behind SMEM - says it is currently evaluating future industry needs and will expand its programme to ensure the regional sector stays ahead of the curve.

"We will monitor the expansion of the fleet in each of the principal industry segments in planning the 2008 programme, which will capitalise on the momentum built up in the General Shipping, Cruise and Super Yacht and conference sessions," explained Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade. More than 300 executives from 40 countries attended the SMEM 2006 conference, which was addressed by over 60 leading international maritime experts.

"SMEM has evolved into one of the world's fastest-growing maritime events and now ranks among the industry's top 10 exhibitions and conferences. It is being recognised as a truly international forum and as the Middle East's maritime industry develops, SMEM will evolve in tandem," said Hayman.

The bullish forecast for the event came at the close of SMEM 2006, which was the biggest yet in the series notching up record attendance. More than 5,000 trade participants attended from 63 countries, some 45% of them from outside the region.

"SMEM 2008, which will run from 14-16 December, will be much bigger given the level of interest expressed and repeat exhibitor bookings. This year's overall participation was 30% up on 2004," explained Hayman.

Among the first to commit for 2008 were supporters Dubai Maritime City and Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

General shipping

Dubai Maritime City, the purpose-built new development for the city's maritime cluster that is rapidly taking shape on reclaimed land at the heart of the waterfront, took pride of place on the exhibition floor with a giant scale model on display for the first time ever. SMEM visitors were also offered an opportunity to visit the site itself, to see how construction is progressing.

DP World, now the third largest ports operator in the world with 51 terminals in 24 countries, was also a very active SMEM participant. Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem opened the exhibition and toured the floor, while Group officials made several presentations at the General Shipping conference. These outlined not only expansion projects overseas - as far afield as Vietnam, India, Turkey and Peru - but also progress closer to home where cargo volume at Abu Dhabi Terminals has risen 20% and productivity 45% since DP World took over management in May.

And information on one of the most significant developments yet on the Gulf's general maritime scene was announced at SMEM - the impending formation of the UAE Shipowners Association.

President elect Sharafuddin Sharaf outlined the aims and structure of the new body - which is supported by both DMC and DP World - at Seatrade's Dubai International Maritime Awards gala presentation dinner, where over 800 guests crowded into the banqueting hall of the Grand Hyatt Hotel to applaud 12 regional companies rewarded for best practice in their respective sectors.

Cruise shipping

"SMEM 2006 was extremely good for our business as we could announce the homeporting of European cruise majors Costa and Aida and also meet top international cruise operators," said Awadh Alketbi, Acting Manager, Dubai Cruise Terminal, DTCM.

"We are also considering expanding the cruise conference by a day to reflect developments within the region and sound-out international industry needs."

Aris Zarpanely, Executive Vice President Strategic Development of the USA's Silversea Cruises said: "The conference provided a better understanding of the rather obscure regional cruise market and Dubai's leadership position. The masterplan developed will encourage others in the region to follow this forward-thinking emirate."

Zarpanely called for the region to establish its own cruise industry association - Cruise Arabia - with Dubai taking the lead.

Costa Croceire, Europe's leading cruise operator, the first cruise major to homeport ships from Dubai in this region, said it is expediting the evolution of the Arabian Gulf as a winter cruise destination.

"The show enabled us to meet the right agents and speak to people from around the region to influence their governments to further promote the cruise industry," said Giovanni Onorato, Costa's President.

Super Yacht

Meanwhile, SMEM's Super Yacht session signalled massive growth in the Middle East's profile with huge expansion in the region's marina infrastructure

Erwin Bamps, Executive Manager, Gulf Craft Inc said: "SMEM was timely as we required a platform to share our concerns and thrash out a blueprint for the burgeoning Super Yacht industry. We were able to discuss fleet profile, demand growth for newbuildings, the charter market and SuperYachts financing."

SMEM exhibitors ended the three-day event with genuine new business prospects. Acebi of France, which was debuting at SMEM, said the regional market demonstrated buoyancy.

"We deal with mega-yachts over 50 metres and a minimum of 500 dwt and find that there is an increasing number of owners who require quality material and equipment," said Jean-Pierre Moreau, President, Acebi.

Exhibition

The SMEM 2006 exhibition was 33% larger than in 2004 and spanned 3,500 square metres to accommodate 235 exhibitors from 35 countries. Companies from Bangladesh, France, Germany, Libya, South Korea and Holland were among newcomers to the show.

Western Marine Shipyard Ltd from Bangladesh said its participation had been very worth while. Mohamed Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director said: "We were in two minds earlier about coming to SMEM but after our successful visit here we are even looking at participating in Seatrade Asia to be held in Singapore next year. We developed excellent leads, which we are confident, will eventually convert into contracts."

France Telecom, mobile satellite communications provider for the maritime industry, was on the look-out for partners and contracts from big vessel operators. "Many of our target audiences were present," commented Udo Grether, Sales Support Manager.

A six-strong South Korean contingent reported contacts with new business partners

"We are confident that by SMEM 2008 we will have established strong ties with the multi-billion dollar industry in this region," said Chae Kwan Sun, Business Supporting Manager.

And in the show's closing hours, the Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company closed a deal with Middle East Shipping Management Company to supply four million litres of lubricating oil. "We met Middle East Shipping for the first time at SMEM," said Walid A Bin Swaid, Regional Manager, Saudi Arabian Lubricating.