Dubai still to realize its full shipping industry potential says Nautical Institute chairman

But Captain Duncan McKelvie says the situation could be rectified in the very near future.

'Dubai has not yet come close to realising its potential as far as the international shipping industry is concerned, but I believe this is about to change,' said Capt. McKelvie. 'With an excellent global location, first-rate infrastructure and projects like Dubai Maritime City in the pipeline, Dubai can offer ship operations and management a world-class base.'

Dubai's potential as a maritime hub has long been acknowledged by The Nautical Institute - the leading international professional body for qualified professional mariners, which promotes nautical studies worldwide. The UAE branch of the institute was formed in Dubai in 1982 - the first branch to open outside of London.

Now the institute has thrown its weight behind the Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition and conference, which is due to be held in Dubai this December.

At the event, which will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 6-8, The Nautical Institute will host a session of individual presentations and industry panel discussions. It will also participate in the exhibition.

'This event will bring together the shipping community to promote better understanding and greater harmony between companies in the region and is obviously therefore something worthy of support,' said Capt. McKelvie.

The Nautical Institute is one of six major organisations that are supporting Seatrade Middle East Maritime, which is being staged under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. Other supporting organisations include Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dubai Shipping Agents Association, National Association of Freight Logistics UAE Branch, Indian National Shipowners' Association and the UAE National Ship Suppliers' Association.

The event is sponsored by Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Ports Authority, the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

Other sponsors include Aalborg Industries A/S (Dubai branch), Aqua Group, British Airways, Castrol Marine, Clyde & Co, Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre, HSBC, Instone International, Lloyd's Register, Maritime London, Net Cruises, Nico International, Norton Rose, Scan-Trans Chartering LLC, and Sharaf Shipping Agency LLC.

Seatrade Middle East Maritime will feature four distinct conference streams - General Shipping, the first Dubai Commodities Conference (organised in association with Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre), the fourth Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference and a one-day conference on the expanding SuperYacht market in the region.

To date, exhibitors from 19 countries have registered for the Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition, which the organisers predict will be triple the size of last year's show.

'Some 75% of exhibition space has already been reserved or contracted with six months still to go before the event,' said Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade.

'The exhibitor profile spans shipbuilders to port operators, dry docks to fuel suppliers, shipping agencies and registers, maritime lawyers and consultants and a host of other related suppliers.'