The General Organisation of Sea Ports to host 5th Trans Middle East Conference

Enhancing Bahrain's region-leading position in the field of shipping and ports, the conference is an important annual forum on shipping, sea ports and maritime transportation. Last year's Trans Middle East conference was held in the UAE and attracted 350 international sea and air freight conference delegates plus 80 international sea and air cargo-handling exhibitors and sponsors.

The delegates discussed the latest issues affecting the development of cargo shipping and transport logistics throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as reviewed latest developments and forthcoming challenges. This year around 500 international sea freight conference delegates and 100 international exhibitors from the maritime transport and logistics industry are expected to attend the conference.

This year's conference will feature 35 world-class senior executive-level speakers highlighting the latest issues affecting the development of cargo shipping and transport logistics in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman of the GOP will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of the event. Other senior members of the GOP management present at the event will include Hassan Ali Al Majed, Director General of the GOP, Hamad Mohammed Fakhro, Assistant Director General of the Bahrain Logistics Zone and Capt. Abdul Hussein Abdullah, Head of Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection.

Topics to be covered during the two-day event will include shipping development in the Middle East, future planning by logistic companies, sustainable development and innovations to enhance the shipping and seaport industry. Delegates will be given the opportunity to raise questions after every major session.

Commenting on the event, GOP's Chairman, Shaikh Daij bin Salman A Khalifa, said: "This conference will serve as an opportunity to highlight the role being played by the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of maritime and logistics locally, regionally and internationally. GOP's professional performance and strategic planning in cooperation with both the public and the private sectors is a reflection of its successful achievements.

"We are privileged to host this conference for the first time in Bahrain, emphasizing the Kingdom's regional and international prominence as a business and financial hub. We hope that the participants will benefit from the globally important views which will be presented at the conference, together with GOP's experience."

The General Organisation of Sea Ports is Bahrain's regulatory authority of sea ports and is responsible for developing the maritime industry in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. In its regulatory role, the GOP takes responsibility for supervising maritime safety and environmental matters and for ensuring that adequate infrastructure is in place to serve the needs of the Kingdom's sea ports, especially the operation of the sophisticated Khalifa Bin Salman Port which is being managed by APM Terminals.

GOP regularly introduces value-adding initiatives which aim to improve quality and maritime practices and to achieve additional revenue, experience and employment opportunities for Bahrainis and other economic benefits. A recent major initiative is the development of the Bahrain Ships Registry to a worldwide flag of choice so that the ship owners who are committed to the highest world maritime standard may easily have access to this facility.