2nd Gulf Maritime Exhibition to feature the world's leading suppliers of ships, boats and related equipment

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 the Middle East's only exhibition and conference on the region's complete maritime industry, including the commercial, government and military maritime industries.

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.

"Sharjah and the UAE have a long maritime tradition and have today emerged as a major maritime centre encompassing every imaginable kind of marine activity," said Mr. Neil Baird. "UAE, as a maritime and re-export centre of the Middle East and Africa region, is today what Singapore was a couple of decades back. It has numerous ports, and an excellent maritime infrastructure. Also, the region's offshore oil & gas sector further boosts demand for the maritime industry," he said.

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. Visitors came from Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan Kenya, Korea South, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sultanate of Oman, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, U.A.E., United Kingdom, and Yemen.

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 30 shipbuilders from Australia, Europe, the U.S.A., Malaysia, India, Bahrain, Turkey and the UAE have already confirmed their participation.

Commenting on the high exhibitor retention rate, Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said, "Gulf Maritime 2004 is witnessing healthy re-bookings with currently 80% of the 2003 exhibitors having rebooked their participation. This is a strong indicator of the quality of the event in 2003, where 85% of the exhibitors were satisfied with the quality of the visitors at their stands and 79% with the attendance of their target groups. We are sure that with the on-going negotiations, we will have more re-bookings from our 2003 exhibitors."

Companies that are participating for the second time include Arvandam Shipbuilding, Armon shipyard, Austal Ships, Bahry International, Balenciaga Shipyard, Batservice Holding, Berg Propulsion, Bharati Shipyard, Colombo Dockyard, Dubai Drydocks, Dubai Ship Docking Yard, Emirates Inflatable Boat Est., Gulf Craft, Emirates & Gulf Marinas, Hamriyah Free Zone, HRP Asia, IHC Lagersmit, Kobelt, M A Al Bahar, Radio Holland, Middle East, Riviera Boats, Schottel GMBH, Seaspray Aluminium Boats, Servogear, Government of Sharjah, Department of Ports & Customs, Stone Marine, Teinbridge Propellers, Westfalia Seperators, Zamakona Shipyards, Zener Electronics and ZF Marine Middle East.

The 2004 edition has attracted a number of new exhibitors, which include Souriss Industrie from Algeria, AMC Search, Australian Shipbuilders Ass., Formation Design Systems & Tenix Defense from Australia, Arab Shipbuilding from Bahrain, Deutz Ag, Redwise Maritime Services & Wijsmuller from Germany, Damen Shipyard, Rubber Design & Shipyard K. Damen from Holland, Rich Creations from Hong Kong, ABG Shipyard, Chowgule & Co. & Hitech Elastomers from India, Transas from Ireland, Kohrang Industrial Group, Marine Industries Group & Kish Trade Promotion Centre from Iran, J. Al Omani Fiberglass from Kuwait, Muhibbah Marine from Malaysia, Norwegian Maritime Equipment from Norway, Rodman Polyships from Spain, ANA Group Dis Tic Ltd. & Sanmar Ltd. from Turkey, Al Bawardy Marine, Dolphin Heat Transfer, Emphor FZCO, Gulf Development Systems, Hamly International (Bele Engineering), Jane's Information Group, Lalizas ME, Lambda Electronics, Marine & Electrical Supplies Co., Mohd. Bin Masaood & Sons - M & E Division, Nico International UAE, Pioneer Smith, Safe Technical Supply, Sea Horse Marine LLC, Tensosys, Unique Systems, United Technical Services, West Marine Trading LLC from the UAE, D.M.A. from UK and United States Marine, Orbimage Inc. Thrustmaster from USA and many 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 in 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.

In Iraq, the post war tendering has begun with the initial tenders including the renovation of UMM AL QASR port being floated. The reconstruction will mean large scale supplies from the region's other ports, especially the UAE, in turn fuelling a demand for supply boats and barges.

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.