Leading port authorities support Ship&Port Arabia

The event is designed as a mega showcase for ship building, shipyards, ports, logistics, engineering and next-generation marine technologies. Ship&Ports Arabia 2005 is being supported by Dubai Ports Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Port, Abu Dhabi Port Authority, Sharjah Port Authority, Saqr Port Authority, Al Jasira Port Authority, Saudi Ports Authority and other leading ports from the region and outside of it.

Slated to be held between September 3 and 5, 2005, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, Ship&Port Arabia 2005 will serve as a one-stop platform for trade and technology updates across the entire spectrum of the maritime industry.

Highlighting the significance of the support from various port authorities for Ship&Port Arabia 2005, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Informaies & Services, said: "The key support of port authorities in the UAE and the region adds tremendous weight to the profile of international ports participating in the show, while emphasizing the role of Ship&Port Arabia 2005 in the maritime industry. The enthusiastic response by major ports is a step towards boosting regional cooperation. We are extremely pleased to also have the participation of Saudi Ports Authority in the show, its first ever in Dubai. Saudi Ports runs the largest ports in the Arabian Gulf and is a major link between the national and international economies."

Stressing on the role of Ship&Port Arabia 2005, Mr. Khanna said, "The show is a springboard for players wanting to tap the huge potential unleashed by this market. Besides serving as a highly interactive platform, the show will enable participants to forge new alliances and gain a toehold in this lucrative market."

A key aspect of Ship&Port Arabia 2005 is its two conferences -- `Dubai Ports Roundtable', featuring top industry bigwigs and the `Dubai Shipping Conference', organized by the Dubai Shipping Agents Association. At these conferences, experts and the top brass of leading shipping companies will deliberate on latest technologies, market trends and growth patterns of the industry.

Mr. Khanna said that Ship&Port Arabia 2005 is of special significance to Dubai given the fact that Dubai Ports are already the principal gateways of re-export and redistribution along with channels in Kuwait, Jordan and Oman.

Noting the bright prospects of UAE's industry in the global context, Mr.Khanna said: "The maritime industry in the UAE is upbeat with all major ports and related facilities undergoing expansions. UAE is benefiting from its strategic location at the crossroads of the region's maritime sector, which is currently witnessing an outlay of US$3.5 billion."

Mr. Khanna said the buoyant state of the maritime industry was on account of the emergence of free zones that have led to the expansion and modernization of port and related facilities. "Much of the growth is fuelled by the expansion of the cargo sector and the on-going construction boom. An indication of the industry's bullish outlook is the high growth rate of 26 per cent in Dubai's container handling traffic," he said.

Commenting on the region's maritime industry, Mr. Khanna said: "The Middle East shipping industry is in the midst of an unprecedented boom. The world container port traffic is projected to increase by 74 per cent by 2010 and container terminals in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent are expected to be areas of under-capacity."

"Aside from these facts, the increasing demand and production of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the Middle East will also increase the traffic many folds," he added.

Ship&Port Arabia 2005 will also see participation by groups from Germany, Italy, France, India, Korea and Russia to name a few. The exhibition has the support of the Dubai Shipping Agents Association and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Khanna said.

"The Asian participation assumes significance as 40 per cent of the world's shipping tonnage belongs to Asian ship owners and managers. About 12 of the world's top container lines are Asian and the top six container ports are in Asia," Mr. Khanna said.