Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Qassimi inaugurates Gulf Maritime

The exhibition is held under the patronage of Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi and will run till April 20.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed Al Shamsi, Second Vice-Chairman, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mohammed S. Al Mosharrekh, Board Member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce; Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah; Neil Baird, Chairman, Baird Publication; top government officials and other dignitaries.

"Gulf Maritime 2005, the Middle East's premier exhibition and conference for the commercial, government and military maritime trade, is featuring more than 180 exhibitors from over 26 countries. It is 15 per cent bigger than its previous edition in 2004," said Mr Shamsi.

"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," he added.

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.

"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," said Mr Mosharrekh.

"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," he added.

The forums and product presentation seminars to be held alongside the show will tackle various issues facing the industry and introduce new products and services to visitors and participants.

"The forums to be held alongside the show will provide unequalled opportunities for networking, learning, discussing and talk matters maritime," said Mr Khan.

Well-known experts -- leading industry presenters, owners, builders, suppliers and researchers -- will examine industry problems and suggest solutions to them in the two forums to be held on April 19 and 20.

"The hour-long product presentation seminars are aimed at helping the exhibitors gather numerous potential clients in one room to present them new products and services," added Mr Khan.

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.

Some of the prominent participants include Abu Dhabi Ship Building, the Dubai Ship Docking Yard (Al Jadaf), Al Hamra Port - RAK, Al Masaood Marine & Engineering, Albwardy Marine Engineering LLC, Arab Ship Building & Repair Yard Co., Astilleros Shipyard Zamakona, Balenciaga Shipyard, Batservice Holding, Berg Propulsion Asia Pte Ltd, Berkefeld Middle East, Bharati Shipyard Limited, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, Cummins Middle East, Damen Shipyards, Dubai Drydocks, Dubai Maritime City, Emirates Inflatable Boat Est., Government of Sharjah - Seaports Authority, Hempel Paints Qatar W.L.L, Kobelt, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, Nico International UAE, Radio Holland BV M.E, Reintjes Middle East LLC, Riviera Pool Middle East, Rolls-Royce, Saab Marine Middle East, Seaspray Aluminium Boats, Southern Gulf Marine Industrial Co. LLC, Tensosys FZCO, Unique Systems LLC, Wartsila, Westfalia Separator Mineral Oil Systems, Zamil Operations & Maintenance Co Ltd, Zener Electronics and ZF Marine Middle East.

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