Global maritime show, Ship & Port 2007 opens in Doha

The three-day maritime industry event is being held at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre in the country's capital city.

It is for the first time that Qatar is hosting a maritime industry event of the magnitude of Ship & Port.

Some of the big names in the global maritime industry are taking part in the event, which will conclude on March 20, 2007. Participants include Wartsila, Goltens, Micad Marine, Qatar Ports Authority, Qatar Navigation, Naqilat, Radio Holland, Ray Marine, Dutest, Penguin Boats, Westfalia, Shottel, Hygrapga, Conapro Dena BMS, Speed Marine, Qatar Hydraulic, and Saifee Marine.

Besides the host country, countries represented at this year's event include Denmark, Germany; Hong Kong; Japan; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, UAE, UK and USA.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information & Services, the organisers of Ship & Port, said: "We believe that this is the right time for such an exhibition to be organised in Doha. Qatar has positioned itself as the economic powerhouse of the region, and firms globally are flocking to the country to benefit from the boom here. We are certain that all the exhibitors at Ship & Port will gain immensely by participating in this event."

He further added, "We would specially like to thank the Qatar Port Authority, Qatar Navigation and the Qatar International Exhibition Centre for their unsolicited support in guiding us in organising this event. We are certain that our relationship will yield in more such events being organised here."

Ship & Port Qatar is expected to offer a platform to strike lucrative new deals and encounter many promising opportunities and solutions to the operational and commercial challenges that the maritime industry professionals face.

During its course, the show is expected to attract a whole gamut of visitors including ship owners, equipment suppliers and professionals belonging to the industry. Leading officials from the region's marine fishing industry, shipyards, harbours and port authorities, shipping and trading firms are also expected to attend.

The Qatar Port Authority is the principal sponsor of Ship & Port Qatar. The event is co-sponsored by Qatar Navigation. While, Lloyds Register Fairplay, United Kingdom is the official media partner. Other industry supporters of the event include Conapro Dena BMS, Qatar, Dubai Shipping Agents Association and Radio Holland.

The international publications who have pledged support to Ship & Port Qatar include Dredging & Port Construction, Fairplay, Lloyds List, Lloyds Tradewinds, Marine BIZ TV, Ship Manager, Safety at SEA, Solutions and The Link.