Gulf Maritime 2005 a huge success

The exhibition was held under the patronage of Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi and featured 180 exhibitors from over 26 countries.

Reinforcing the popularity of the event, about 20 per cent of the space has already been booked for the 2006 edition.

A total of 2401 trade visitors from the maritime industry attended the event. Apart from the GCC countries, which accounted for the major chunk of visitors (1,263), buyers also came from Algeria, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, Sudan and Yemen.

"It's an outstanding show. We have met some of the exhibitors related to our business. We will visit the exhibition next year also," said Kevin Lamb, Marketing Manager, Al Shabia Engg. Co. Ltd, UAE , a visitor at the show.

"It's the best maritime exhibition in the Middle East. The exhibition has acquired a huge potential," said David Joseph, Business Development Manager, Fendercare Middle East LLC, UAE , another visitor at Gulf Maritime.

Most of the exhibitors received several inquiries and were satisfied with the show. "This year the exhibition was remarkably good. We received 20-30 serious inquiries which are likely to translate into major deals," Avezdelin Protopopov, Technical Service Manager, Exalto Emirates Ltd.

"We received five serious inquiries and expect deals with all of them," said Javed Mehboob, Marketing Manager, Al Jazeera Port.

"The show was good and we are satisfied with the participation as we received quality visitors to our stand," said Thomas Gheevarghese, Branch Manager, Lalizas.

The exhibition also provided a platform for the announcement of a major joint venture. Zener One Net LLC, a joint venture to provide all satellite (maritime and land) solutions for the UAE and Middle East, was set up on April 19, 2005, on the sidelines of the show. It's a joint venture between Zener Group of Dubai, and One Net, Cyprus.

Zener One Net LLC aims at establishing a name for quality resource for maritime and land satellite solutions as well as a premier communication consultation centre for the Gulf shipping industry.

Several exhibitors also took the opportunity to launch their new range of products at the show.

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems displayed its new C-series (C-7 to C-32) engines at the show. "These engines are mainly used for pleasure and commercial crafts and speed boats. Our engines are of superior reliability and built to last," said Surendra Shankar, Senior Sales Engineer, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems.

Chowgule and Company Limited, Goa, India, which has a fabrication capacity of 6,000 tonnes per year and a total area of 42,000 square metres, highlighted cargo carriers, small tankers, landing craft and flat-top barges at the show.

Sunrise Ship Trading LLC Dubai, which is an agent for several international companies, including Baudouin and Trac, showcased heavy-duty inboard diesel engines. "These engines are mainly used for yachts, tugs, fishing boats, ferries, ro ro ferries and navy vessels," said Mr Denis J.A. Loubiere, Project Manager, M.Y. UM Hurair.

Al Sayegh Brothers Trading LLC is displaying new outboard engines (two stroke, four stroke and TLDI) from Japan's Tohatsu Outboards. "These engines are quiet, lightweight, environment friendly and consume low fuel," said Faiz Ahmed Faizee, Business Development Manager, Al Sayegh Brothers Trading LLC.

Bharati Shipyard Limited of India, which is undergoing a modernisation/expansion programme, focused on tugs, offshore vessels, cargo ships, container ships, chemical carriers, tankers, dredgers, deep seas multipurpose fishing vessels, special purpose vessels, ferries, passenger vessels and offshore patrol vessels.

"The shipyard is well-equipped and capable of fabricating and erecting a number of vessels simultaneously with a wet basin that can accommodate eight vessels. The yard also has three slipways, a 58-metre span gantry crane and other mobile cranes," said Mr M.V. Rajendran, Deputy Manager, Bharati Shipyard Limited.

The displays included 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 forums and product presentation seminars held alongside the show tackled various issues facing the industry and introduced new products and services to visitors and participants.

Some of the prominent participants included 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 was organised jointly by Expo Centre Sharjah and Baird Publications of Singapore.