Over 180 exhibitors from 26 countries expected to attend Gulf Maritime 2005 to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 18-20

The show, considered to be Middle East's premier exhibition and conference for the commercial, government and military maritime trade, will feature more than 180 exhibitors from over 26 countries. It is 15 per cent bigger than its previous edition in 2004.

With a major indoor exhibition, maritime seminars and outdoor display, the event will provide visitors and participants a chance to boost their brand image, strike new deals, spot new business associates and open new markets.

In addition, the show will serve as a launch pad for new models and designs.

The show assumes significance given that the Gulf's maritime sector is expanding rapidly due to a number of factors including the expansion of Gulf economies, increase in regional trade, oil and gas exploration, expansion of shipping business and the opening of the Iraqi market.

An excellent coastline, strong government support for marina development and expanding tourism are key factors that will continue to sustain the growth of the marine sector in the region.

The UAE ports are on a big expansion mode. Dubai Ports Authority's Jebel Ali Port, Mina Zayed Abu Dhabi, Shajrah Port Authority's Khor Fakkan Container Terminal and Inland Container Depot have all undertaken major expansion projects.

Waterfront and off-shore properties, which are under different stages of development in the Gulf states, are likely to spur a huge demand for marine vessels.

Dubai is soon going to have the world's largest ship repair capacity with Dubai Maritime City. It will add to the facilities already provided by Dubai Drydocks.

The City will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 companies in offices and workshops. Besides, Dubai Drydocks is planning to enter a mid-size new building business that will build at least two tankers per year.

Other major developments include new demand for LNG carriers in Qatar and Iran, the $1.2 billion container port planned in Kuwait and fleet replacement programmes of several leading companies, to name a few.

In view of this rapidly developing maritime scenario, the show will give both visitors and exhibitors an opportunity to test the Gulf waters and gain the maximum benefit.

The displays will include the latest in designing and building of different kinds of vessels, equipment for fishing, offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, patrol boats, all types of ship repair and port operations products and cargo handling services.

Government-level support for the event comes from Sharjah Ports Authority, Dubai Dry Docks, Al Jaddaf, Hamriya Free Zone, Abu Dhabi Ship Building and Dubai Maritime City.

Some of the prominent participants include Kobelt from Canada, Stone Marine and Berg Propulsion from Singapore, Balenciaga Shipyard from Spain, Bharati Shipyard and Chowgule &Co from India, Batservice from Norway, Riviera Pool Middle East, Rolls-Royce, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, Mohd. Rahman Al-Bahar, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Drydocks, ZF Marine ME, Seaspray Aluminium Boats Emirates and Emirates Inflatables from the UAE.

A major highlight of the exhibition will be seminars covering products and issues concerning the industry.

The show is organised jointly by Expo Centre Sharjah and Baird Publications of Singapore and the visitor timings are from 10am to 6pm.