Deals worth over USD40m likely at Gulf Maritime 2005

This year's show, to be held from April 18-20 at Expo Centre Sharjah, will feature over 180 exhibitors from over 26 countries.

The previous show, with 110 exhibitors from 23 countries, had witnessed confirmed orders to the tune of US$28 million and attracted a total of 2,785 visitors.

The number of visitors is likely to rise by at least 60 per cent and the total business generated by 50 per cent due to a number of factors in the regional industry, including the increase in workboats for marine construction and reclamation, replacement of wooden dhows to steel and aluminium vessels, increased new-builds for oil & gas carriers, replacement of single-hulled carriers, expansion of shipping businesses and the opening of the Iraqi market.

Commenting on the previous edition of the show, Mr. Christopher Dearden, Manager, Saudi Aramco, said: 'The show was good. Though it was small compared to some European shows, we got what we wanted. We came here with a specific buying requirement and we achieved that objective.' He was part of the Aramco delegation that visited the show.

Taking advantage of the latest products and services on show, Kuwait Oil Company had signed an agreement with a boatbuilder exhibiting at Gulf Maritime 2004, for a state-of-the-art diving craft.

In another deal, two 30-metre crew cargo boats - Fraih 1 and Fraih 2 - were bought by Kuwait. The client, traditionally a buyer from established American manufacturers, selected the vessels after a visit to the Gulf Maritime 2004 and a first-hand inspection of the yard of Seaspray Aluminium Boats Emirates.

Some of the prominent names that introduced their new technology to the region during the previous show included Denbridge Marine from the UK, Norselight, NorControl IT, and Kongsberg Simrad AS from Norway, Orbimage from the US, Japan Radio Company Limited, and Rolls Royce Commercial and Naval Marine.

Among the major exhibit highlights at the event were Norselight's heavy duty straightline wiper systems, remote controlled searchlights and powerful bowlights, Denbridge's Display processors, Radar Transmission Systems, Track Managers, Portable Radar Display systems, Database systems, and Recording systems, Japan Radio Company's 18.1' colour LCD radar system and Orbimage's SeaStar Service, SeaStar Fisheries Information Service and SeaStar Fish Finding Maps.

Other notable products and solutions showcased at the exhibition were various Vessel Traffic Management and Information Systems (VTMIS) by NORcontrol IT, High Precision Acoustic Positioning Systems by Kongsberg, and propulsion and platform management systems as well as an extensive marine products range by Rolls Royce.

This year, Gulf Maritime is all set to build on the success of the previous show, giving both visitors and exhibitors an excellent opportunity to test the Gulf waters and gain the maximum benefit.

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, Al Jadaf Dockyard, 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.

A major highlight of the exhibition will be seminars covering products and issues concerning the industry.

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