2nd Gulf Maritime exhibition & conference to be bigger and better

'Already, sales are up by some 50 per cent compared with the same time last year.'

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and jointly organized by Expo Centre Sharjah and Baird Publications of Australia, Gulf Maritime is an international exhibition and conference for the Arab world's commercial, government and military maritime industry.

It features the latest in design, building and equipping of all types of vessels from fishing, offshore support vessels, tankers, tugs, ferries, patrol boats and all types of cargo ships, ship repair and port operations products & services and cargo handling.

The show brings face-to-face government authorities, decision makers, ship owners, ship chandlers, service providers, traders, marine engineers and all the relevant professionals in the maritime industry.

'Despite the tense and difficult situation prevailing last year,' said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, 'the Gulf Maritime 2003 exhibition was completed successfully. Even more remarkable was the fact that the show opened four days after the declaration of war on Iraq and, yet, still turned out to be well attended and effective.'

Held in March 2003, the show's first edition attracted a total of 1,684 qualified trade visitors plus 447 exhibitors from 40 different countries, generating potential deals worth
in excess of US $ 19 million for the exhibitors, with spot orders worth US$ 7,682,500.

85% of the exhibitors were satisfied with the quality of the visitors at their stands and 79% with the attendance of their target groups. A whopping 94% of the exhibitors indicated an intention to return for the 2004 edition of the show.

Buoyed by this success, the coming show has caught the attention of a large number of the world's leading suppliers of ships, boats and their equipment, who are interested in participating as exhibitors. For example, more than 20 shipbuilders from Australia, Europe, the U.S.A., Malaysia, India, Bahrain, Turkey and the UAE have already confirmed their participation.

Other prominent maritime companies to have confirmed their participation include Souriss Industrie from Algeria, Tenix Defence, AMC Search and Austal Ships from Australia, Arab Shipbuilding from Bahrain, Kobelt from Canada, Stone Marine, HRP Asia and Berg Propulsion from Singapore, Wijsmuller from Germany, Balenciaga Shipyard, Zamakona Shipyard and Rodman Polyships from Spain, ABG Shipyard, Bharati Shipyards, Chowgule & Co. Ltd. and Hi-Tech Elastomers from India, Ana Group and Sanmar Ltd. from Turkey, Batservice, Norwegian Maritime Equipment and Servogear from Norway, Al Bahry Magazine and J. Al Omani from Kuwait, Colombo Dockyard from Sri Lanka, Trustmaster, One Steel Aluminum and United States Marine from USA, and Gulf Craft, Emphor, Lambda Electronics, Hamly International, Nico International, Al Fanar, West Marine, Radio Holland, Maritronics, Daewoo Engines, Riviera Boat, Mohd. Rahman Al-Bahar, Dubai Dry-docks, ZF Marine ME, Seaspray Aluminium Boats, Tensosys, Emirates & Gulf Marinas and Emirates Inflatables from the UAE plus a lot more.

'An important factor that is helping the exhibition,' Mr. Khan said further, 'is the boom in the Gulf region's maritime industry. Presently, there is an enormous amount of marine related construction in port development, shipyard construction and residential and commercial real estate development, on and beyond the coasts.

'For example,' continued Mr. Khan, 'the Sharjah Port Authority, which is one of the main sponsors of Gulf Maritime, is doubling the size of its main Arabian Sea container port Khor Fakkan. This, in addition to ongoing major developments at its ports on the Gulf side.

'There are more than 15 major ports in the region, some with significant industrial projects attached to them that are being substantially developed at the moment,' he concluded.

As with the first Gulf Maritime event, a custom-made marina featuring on-water boat display will be a major attraction. This will be located right alongside the Expo Centre Sharjah. The only difference will be that it also will be twice as big as last year.