Region's $4bn dredging and reclamation works in focus at CEDA conference in Doha

The international conference on dredging in the Arabian Gulf, 'Dredging and Sustainability - How Wide is the Gulf?', places special emphasis on providing a practical international and national forum for issues and ideas related to dredging and reclamation.

The CEDA conference, which is being organized in conjunction with the Ship and Port + Europort Maritime, the International Ship Building, Port and Marine Technology Exhibition, will be held on May 6 and 7, 2008 at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre.

The event will be of importance for practitioners and scientists representing project owners, commissioners of large-scale dredging and reclamation projects, professionals from port, coastal and environmental authorities, dredging contractors, consultants and research institute personnel.

CEDA, based in the Netherlands, is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, professional society for all those involved in activities related to dredging and marine construction and who live or work in Europe, Africa or the Middle-East.

CEDA's core mission is 'generation and dissemination of knowledge'.

Conferences organised by CEDA are well-known and valued forums and well attended by leading researchers and industry experts.

CEDA's biennial conference, the CEDA Dredging Days, first held in 1978, has established itself as the foremost international dredging conference in Europe.

Commenting on the first CEDA conference in the region, Mr. Ebrahim Al Neama, Chairman, Al Fajer Al Lulla, the co-organiser of Ship and Port + Europort Maritime, said:

'We are pleased that CEDA chose to organize its conference in conjunction with one of the largest maritime industry events of the region. The delegates will find good value in their participation as it would not only help them being informed about the latest in their industry, but also the opportunity to network with experts and industry professionals. There are massive dredging works being undertaken in the Gulf region, which includes extensions of ports and creation of land for housing and infrastructure. A technical conference on dredging in the region will provide an opportunity to exchange information, share experiences and have a good constructive discussion about the challenges the projects present and the innovative solutions used by clients and contractors'.

The Middle East accounted for 30% of the total global dredging turnover in 2006, according to the International Association of Dredging Companies.

The value of dredging in the Middle East was valued approximately at $4bn.

Professor Wim Vlasblom, CEDA Director, Chairman of the Technical Papers Committee said: 'CEDA is excited to present its first ever international dredging conference in the Arabian Gulf, the home of mega dredging and reclamation works. As chairman of the Papers Committee I am proud to be part of the enthusiastic team that put together an excellent, high quality technical programme for this event. Prestigious speakers with extensive experience in the Gulf region will present a broad range of technical and environmental challenges and discuss smart innovative solutions both from project owners and the dredging industry alike. We are pleased to include in the conference programme a technical visit to the Pearl Qatar, one of the project sites with a bold execution technology'.

He added: 'I encourage all dredging professionals both users and providers of dredging services - in particular those experts working in the region - to take full advantage of this event on their 'doorsteps' , to learn from each other, to establish new business opportunities, to meet old friends and to make new ones'.

Conference highlights:
- Five technical sessions, 15 presentations, by experts from 7 different countries from academia, consultancies, dredging contractors and dredge builders
- Technical visit to the Pearl Qatar
- Gala dinner
- Partners programme
- Post-conference tour

The three-day Ship & Port + Europort Maritime is scheduled to be held at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre in Doha from May 5 to May 7, 2008.

The Dubai-headquartered Al Fajer Information and Services, a leading organiser of industry expositions in Middle East, Africa and India, has partnered with Ahoy Rotterdam to organise the third edition of the Ship & Port + Europort Maritime 2008.

This event is organised under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, Minister of State, Government of Qatar.

Ship & Port + Europort Maritime sets ground for showcasing the latest in products and services related to the accelerating maritime industry in the Middle East and Asia.

Qatar Petroleum is the platinum sponsor of Ship & Port + Europort Maritime. Qatar Port Authority is the principal sponsor. The new event is co-sponsored by Qatar Navigation and Radio Holland.