End of Iraq war a boost for marine coatings industry

Saudi-based Sigma Coatings, part of the global SigmaKalon group, one of the region's leading marine paint suppliers, has seen business pick up post-Saddam.

Tom Kennedy, Sigma's Marine Manager UAE and Marine Co-ordinator Middle East, said the industry had suffered a downturn at the start of the conflict but business has since picked up and is continuing to grow.

He said: "Ships are now less hesitant about coming into the Gulf and are using the excellent dry dock facilities at Dubai and Bahrain when they need their hulls recoated.

"Dubai and Bahrain have always been popular with ship owners in this part of the world as they offer good prices and better quality than some other centres."

Sigma intends to take advantage of the upturn in demand by exhibiting its latest coatings at Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2004, the region's premier conference and exhibition for the maritime sectors.

Sigma supplies the complete range of maritime paints from its plant in Saudi Arabia, including high-gloss polyurethane coverings, hard epoxy based systems and anti-fouling coatings to keep barnacles off ship hulls.

Seatrade's Managing Director, Chris Hayman, said: "Even with the disruption to shipping during the conflict, last year remained a record year for cargo movements across the region.

"Dubai Ports Authority recorded a 23% growth in container business and other regional ports also benefited from the increase in shipping."

He added: "The Middle East is one of the world's fastest growing regions and the reconstruction of Iraq will add to that and increase demand for shipping."

Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2004 will run December 6 - 8 at Dubai World Trade Centre. As well as the exhibition, the event 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 Gulf and Indian Ocean.

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. 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.

Organisations supporting the event include Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dubai Shipping Agents Association; National Association of Freight Logistics; Indian National Shipowners' Association; The Nautical Institute UAE Branch; and the UAE National Ship Suppliers' Association.