Ship & Port + Europort Maritime opens in Doha

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani went around the exhibition and interacted with many of the participants.

More than 70 firms from the region and elsewhere are participating in the three-day Ship & Port + Europort Maritime 2008, making it one of the largest maritime industry events of the region. The event is being held at the Doha Exhibition Centre and will conclude on May 7, 2008.

Participants include Qatar Petroleum, Ras Al Laffan Port, Bahrain Port Authority, Qatar Navigation, Nakilat, Qatar Port, DENA BMS, Thuraya, Sumiromo Corp, Kobelt, Schottel, Al Baida, MacGregor, United Intl, Consilum, Marine Travel lift, VCom, Qatar Hydrolic, Radio Holland, Goltens, Hygrapha, Turboned Services, Magoteaux, IHC Merwede, Elcome, International Maritime College, Transas, Italdraghe, Libra and Vosta LMG.

Besides the host country, countries represented at the event include Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy South Korea, Holland, UAE, Greece, Oman and United States of America, Japan, Turkey and Brazil

Ship & Port + Europort Maritime is an joint initiative of Al Fajer Information and Services, Dubai, Al Fajer Alulla, Doha, Ahoy Rotterdam and Central Dredging Association (CEDA).

Commenting on the Ship & Port + Europort Maritime 2008, Mr. Ebrahim Al Neama, Chairman, Al Fajer Al Lulla, the co-organiser of Ship and Port + Europort Maritime, said:

"We are pleased that maritime companies from around the world are participating in this event. It is testimony to the fact that Qatar has rightly positioned itself as the economic powerhouse of the region and businesses from worldwide are looking to tap the opportunities here."

He added: "We are certain that all the exhibitors at Ship & Port + Europort Maritime will gain immensely by participating in this event. Also, the event will offer an excellent opportunity to foster the growth of shipping and logistics industry in Qatar, where major multi-billion dollar maritime projects are already under way."

Europort Maritime Exhibition Manager, Raymond Siliakus said: "Ship & Port + Europort Maritime is an ideal opportunity for the industry to strike lucrative new deals and encounter many promising opportunities and solutions to the operational and commercial challenges that they face."

Some of the world's biggest names in the dredging and related sectors are featured in the exclusive Dredging pavilion on Ship & Port + Europort Maritime.

The Central Dredging Association (CEDA) is organising an international conference in Doha on dredging in conjunction with the Ship & Port + Europort Maritime. Over 100 international experts and professionals involved in dredging related activities are expected to participate in the first ever CEDA conference to be organized in the Middle East. The conference, which will be held on May 6, 2008 and May 7, 2008, will place special emphasis on providing a practical international and national forum for issues and ideas related to dredging and reclamation.

Over the years, Europort Maritime, a property of Ahoy Rotterdam, has become a benchmark of specialised knowledge and technology in the field of maritime design and preventive maintenance. This is a distinctive position, which particularly for Western Europe is unique within the spectrum of maritime trade fairs.

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