Crown Prince of Sharjah confirms patronage to Gulf Maritime 2003 show

H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah has confirmed his patronage of this event, in recognition of the significant role the maritime industry plays in Sharjah's and the UAE's economy and its strategic role in the development of the Middle East region. The Crown Prince of Sharjah is also noted for his and his families' interest in maritime matters.

Comprising a trade only exhibition and conference, Gulf Maritime is being jointly organised by the leading international maritime publisher and exhibition organiser from Australia, Baird Publications, and Expo Centre Sharjah.

Targetting the owners and operators of all kinds of commercial and government ships and boats, shipbuilders and port managers, Gulf Maritime will cover the full spectrum of maritime activity in the Gulf and the wider Middle East. Exhibitors will include designers, builders and suppliers of equipments and services to ships and boats of all kinds. They will be joined by suppliers of port equipment and services. The event will incorporate a major international maritime conference, an indoor exhibition, and outdoor displays both static and floating.

Commenting on the potential of the Middle East's maritime industry, Mr. Michael Muller, Director Marketing and Sales of Expo Centre Sharjah said: "We see strong prospects for the Middle East's commercial and government maritime industry. For instance, a committee set up last July has been studying on how best to link Arab ports through a maritime line. When operational, this will significantly increase the efficiency and competitiveness of sea cargo as compared to other mediums, in turn pushing up demand for more ships, ship-building and maintenance works.

"The line is expected to start from Morocco's ports, passing through Algeria, Tunisia and Libya's sea outlets. It will pass through Lebanon and from there to Syria and Egypt and later to Jordan's sole sea outlet of Aqaba. Through the Red Sea, the line will continue to Yemen, then along the Arab Sea coast and the Gulf to the United Arab Emirates."

"At the same time," he added, "some new ports are in the pipeline in the Middle East. The Work Ministry of Bahrain is studying plans to build a new port and immigration terminal on Muharraq island. The harbour will serve the local fleet of trading dhows which at present offload their cargos at various locations in Bahrain. Also a $1.0 billion deep sea and container harbour is coming up in the northern city of Tangiers in Morocco.

"These activities are indicative of an increased demand for new ships and related equipment, besides ship-related services like ship repair and port maintenance. The Gulf Maritime Show has been conceived by us to help suppliers of boats, ships and their related equipment and services to tap this potential of the Middle East market," he explained

"Moreover, no other venue in the Arabian Gulf is as suited to host this maritime event as the new Expo Centre Sharjah. Besides its world-class facilities and services, the new Centre's Southern side borders the Al Khalid lagoon, which will act as an ideal docking space right next to the exhibition halls for the vessels on display," he concluded.

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