New look for shiprepair show's sell-out Dubai debut

Following confirmed bookings for the last four available stands from Atlas Copco, Diesel Marine International, Siemens and the Turkish Shipbuilders' Association.

They join major Middle East-based and international exhibitors including Arab Heavy Industries, Alfa Laval, ASRY, Cosco Shipyard Group, DNV, Lloyd's Register, Malaysian Marine & Heavy Engineering, MAN B&W, Nico International and Wartsila.

Meanwhile the line-up of conference speakers has been finalised to embrace hot topics including the application of foul-release coatings on VLCC propellers.

Added to an expanded range of networking and social activities, the stage has been set for a radical new look marking the overseas debut of the sector's leading annual event - which has enjoyed a 13-year London run but will now rotate among key international market centres.

The three-day trade show, from November 7-9, and two-day conference on November 8-9 are being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

William Bixby, commercial manager at organiser Lloyd's List Events, says:

'The venue - coupled with our decision to extend the exhibition to three days for the first time - lends itself to a varied programme including company presentations, lunches and evening receptions.

'The aim is to maximise opportunities for exhibitors, delegates, visitors and VIP guests to conduct business in a more intimate, relaxed manner. We think this sort of atmosphere will have a significant impact on attracting attendance.'

The International Association of Ship Repair Agents will be holding its annual general meeting during the event and expects up to 20 member companies to be represented.

Visitor numbers are set to receive a further boost from the input of official supporters Dubai Drydocks, which is flying in its agents - and their spouses - from 20 countries as well as arranging for customer superintendents to attend the exhibition.

Marketing manager Jens Larsson notes: 'We will have at least 25 ships at the yard during this period - we've never seen better times in our history and, after a record year last year, this year is looking as good if not better. I guess there will be three or four superintendents to each ship and I expect a good 50 of them will be at the show.'

The yard's participation also includes hosting a docks tour and a post-event golf tournament, the Dubai Drydocks Closed Classic, at The Montgomerie club on November 10, when around 100 competitors are due to take part.

The field includes invited customers, suppliers, sub-contractors and ships agents but visitors and delegates can apply for places via craig.eason@informa.com

Underlining support from a multi-national exhibitor base, Germany's Hamann Hydro-Cyclone is among the latest companies to confirm a presentation slot with a seminar on ballast water treatment, while Siemens, China Merchants Industry Holdings and the American Bureau of Shipping have agreed to host the conference delegate lunches.

Latest confirmed conference speakers include Michael O'Donnell, superintendent engineer in the Dubai office of Saudi Aramco's Vela International Marine, who is to present a case study of anti-fouling technology in relation to VLCC propellers.

Mr O'Donnell will detail the in-service performance and cost benefits his company has achieved since applying foul-release coatings to 15 propellers over the past two years - including zero maintenance costs and downtime for in-water propeller polishing.

The updated conference programme also includes Marco Zuccarelli, director of technology at the American Bureau of Shipping, on maintenance and repair issues arising from design changes such as the shift to double hulls.

Among other new speakers, Fred Venner, Bureau Veritas product manager for tankers and gas carriers, will discuss condition assessment tools for predicting high-risk areas; and Neptune Marine operations manager Graeme Creedon will examine the rapid response role of underwater repairers.