Fourth edition of Gulf Maritime Exhibition concludes successfully at Expo Centre Sharjah

The three-day event attracted 2,708 trade visitors from the maritime industry of 45 countries. Of the total visitors, 1,368 visitors were from the GCC States.

A majority of the remaining visitors were from Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Malta, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, UK, and Yemen.

A majority of the exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the response received at the show with a significant number reporting that they had received serious queries during the exhibition, many of which had strong possibilities of translating in to deals at a later stage. A few exhibitors however confirmed receiving secure orders during the event itself.

UAE-based Al Masaood Group's MTU Marine Engines Division announced on the floors of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition that it had received a confirmed order amounting to 1 million Euros for supplying one shipset to a shipbuilding company from Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ).

"The confirmed order for the shipset was received on the first day of the exhibition," said Mr. Amgad Emil, Sales Manager of Al Masaood's MTU division.

"As part of the deal, we would be supplying one shipset consisting of 2 engines, gear box, and monitoring and controlling systems for a luxury yacht," he added.

Mr. Emil said that the luxury yacht, made up of GRP fibreglass, would measure 140 feet in length and have a 200-ton displacement capacity.

"The engines that we are going to supply would be of MTU 12 V 4000 M 71 model and each engine would be of 2480 horsepower capacity. These are basically medium duty engines," said Mr. Emil.

The engines would be delivered by the end of 2006 and the luxury yacht will be set to sail from 2007, Mr. Emil said.

Mr. Emil also reported receiving several serious queries for engines of commercial workboats.

"Several large Government oil companies from UAE are interested in our MTU engines for commercial work boats. This is because many of them are extending their fleets because of the massive growth in the sector," he said.

Another important announcement at the exhibition was that by Dubai-based Emphor, a company recently appointed as a regional sales partner by Germany's Sam Electronics.

The strategic alliance was formally announced at the event and Emphor reported that it had succeeded in reaching out to a large number of focused trade visitors during the show and apprise them of the benefits that the regional maritime industry would be able to derive due to this tie-up.

Sam Electronics has been in the business of maritime technology for over 100 years and has a turnover of Euro 200 million. The company is a major manufacturer of turnkey equipment and installations offering special capabilities in design and development of specific maritime equipment and technologies. These include power generation/distribution- management systems including shaft alternators, advanced diesel electric propulsion systems, automated monitoring and control systems, nav-aids, specifically configured Integrated Bridge Systems, Communication Technology Solutions as well as safety and security systems.

Emphor has been involved in the supply of equipment to some of the most high profile mega yachts built in the UAE in recent times and have operations covering the entire GCC region.

This year's Gulf Maritime Exhibition hosted 150 leading marine companies from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.

The event featured Deck machinery and other vessel equipment, Docking equipment, Electronics, Communication and navigation systems, Engine and propulsion systems, Fuel and lubricants, Ride control systems, Sound and vibration control systems, Marine interiors, Paints and coatings, latest vessel building designs and technology, equipment for fishing, Offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, and patrol boats, Ship repair and port operations products, and Cargo handling services.

The Gulf Maritime exhibition is an annual event held under the Patronage of Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi. It is organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.