Two major conferences for Work Boat Gulf event

"We are working with two very important local Gulf organisations to produce a major conference on the state of the Offshore Service Vessel Market," said Chairman Neil Baird.

"It will be a practical, realistic event that will examine both the current state of the market and its likely future directions.

"The conference will feature presentations from owners, operators and charterers of OSVs as well as from suppliers of designs, builders, equipment manufacturers and financiers.

One session will look at alternative uses for such vessels in offshore fish farming, wind-farming, coastal construction and other fields," Mr Baird explained.

A conference on Passenger Vessels - Fast and Slow - Large and Small - will also be held.

"Given the almost unbearable road traffic congestion and the enormous amount of coastal
housing development, it is obvious that the whole Arabian Gulf area will soon require a big influx of passenger vessels of a wide range of types," Mr Baird suggested.

"Quite clearly, the passenger vessel sector will rapidly become more important. It seems the Gulf will soon become a hotbed of ferry, water taxi, cruise and charter boat activity."

Both conferences will be of 11/2 day's duration so each will cover half of the three day Gulf Maritime event.

Each will include about 20 separate presentations from industry leaders.

There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

All delegates will be invited to a Conference Cocktail Reception, lunch and three coffee breaks. Prices will be significantly lower than for comparable events in Europe.