Dubai Ports International studying more overseas projects

'We are evaluating a number of international projects and if we find we can add value to them, we will become involved,' said Bin Sulayem. 'We hope to be in a position to announce a major project at the Seatrade Middle East Maritime conference in Dubai later this year.'

Sulayem was speaking in advance of Seatrade Middle East Maritime, which will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 6-8. Dubai Ports Authority is a key sponsor of the event, which includes a four-stream conference and industry exhibition.

DPI's latest project, the operation of the brand new container terminal in Romania's Constantza Port, is; 'going very well after four months of operation,' according to Bin Sulayem.

'Port consultancy and operation is a great way for us to help our customers, particularly shipping lines. We look for ports that they may want to use but which need enhanced expertise or investment.'

Bin Sulayem said increased investment is also on its way for Dubai's recording-breaking ports, to cope with annual throughput demand currently growing by around 15%.

'No-one anywhere else in the world is growing as fast,' said Bin Sulayem 'Perhaps the nearest is Shanghai, which is also developing rapidly to serve the emerging Chinese market.

'The shipping industry globally and particularly in the Middle East is booming. There are more cargo vessels that need servicing. Our future investment will be in people and equipment to sustain growth and to maintain our standards of quality service.

'We see this growth continuing with all the investment and development that is taking place in the Middle East. Port development and shipping activities are key economic indicators and the high performance of Dubai is good news for the economy as a whole.'

Bin Sulayem says Dubai is already among the world's biggest maritime cities and is set to increase its industry stature with the creation of Dubai Maritime City and the hosting of Seatrade Middle East Maritime.

'Certainly within the industry there is no place as big as Dubai from Singapore to Europe,' he said. 'The maritime industry is in Dubai's blood. We were traders dependent upon the sea. The creation of Dubai Maritime City and the staging of Seatrade Middle East Maritime will enhance this position by introducing many new maritime businesses to the emirate.'

Seatrade organisers say the growth in the regional shipping industry is creating increased demand for the event, with the Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition likely to be three times that of last year.

'Almost 80% of the exhibition space has been reserved or contracted with five months still to go before the show,' said Andrew Callaghan, Sales Director, Seatrade. 'This excellent response, coming as it has from 19 countries so far, indicates that the regional industry is now firmly in the sights of many international operators.'

As well as the exhibition, Seatrade Middle East Maritime will feature four distinct conference streams - General Shipping, the 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.

Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2004 is being held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. Organisations supporting the event include Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai Shipping Agents Association, National Association of Freight Logistics UAE Branch; Indian National Shipowners' Association; The Nautical Institute UAE Branch; and the UAE National Ship Suppliers' Association.

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

Other sponsors include Aalborg Industries A/S (Dubai branch); Aqua Group, Arabian Adventures; 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.