UAE Maritime Week is set to return with an in-person event during EXPO 2020

Suhail Al Mazrouei: The event will support the growth during the Post-Covid period

Dubai, UAE, 

Sallam Sallam

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has revealed that the UAE Maritime Week, with its flagship event, Seatrade Maritime Middle East, will be held at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai, from 12-16 December 2021.

The UAE Maritime Week, which is organised by Seatrade Maritime, part of Informa Markets, aims to connect maritime markets in the Middle East by bringing together ship owners, industry suppliers and key decision-makers from the region on a common platform to discuss and plan about the future of the maritime industry over a course of five days.

To date, the week includes Seatrade Maritime Middle East; Seatrade Maritime Awards Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa; Maritime Leaders Forum and Experience Maritime. A day will be dedicated to terminal operators and associated industries as part of the global TOC brand, also a part of Informa Markets.

H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure said, “The UAE has always been at the forefront of bolstering the maritime industry and ensuring the continued progress of the sector with the help of initiatives that guarantee resilience and success of organizations working under its umbrella. This was evident during the outbreak of the pandemic, when economies around the globe entered a phase of financial instability, while the UAE’s Government worked towards preserving normalcy through a series of directives aimed at stabilising and strengthening the nation’s economy and the financial well-being of organizations.”

He added, “Our ports and logistics operators have showcased grit and determination amid the crisis. In 2020, despite an unstable market, DP World recorded revenue growth of 11 per cent. This year in Q1, they recorded a gross container volume increase of 10.2 per cent year-on-year. Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water facility achieved significant progress in the now operational South Quay and the Khalifa Port Logistics (KPL) development. This is testimony to the sector’s success despite unstable markets. Aiding this growth are events that will take place under the umbrella of the UAE Maritime Week that has year after year helped the industry find solutions to pressing concerns. Additionally, this year, what makes the event even more strategic is its placement during EXPO 2020 Dubai, which undoubtedly will be a mega event as well as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) elections, also scheduled to take place during this period.”

Contributing to the sector’s success

Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade stated, “We are thrilled that the UAE Maritime Week will be back this year. 2020 was challenging, yet our virtual edition saw great success. Prior to that, our last in-person event saw the attendance of 7000 plus attendees from over 80 countries. 63 per cent of the visitors had direct purchasing authority. This reflects the significance of an event like ours. We are certain that as businesses are gradually recovering and getting back to normal, the 2021 edition will help the industry continue its upward progression. We are grateful to the wise leadership of the UAE for their constant support for the event and their efforts to boost the development of the maritime sector. “

Hayman added, “This year, we are also proud to announce two new initiatives catering to both the private sector and government authorities that will revolutionise operations in the industry. Through our “Experience Maritime” initiative, we are reaching out to leading organisations in the UAE and giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their competencies to their clients by inviting them to their state-of-the-art facilities for a first-hand experience of operations. Another pivotal initiative is the Maritime Leaders Forum that is a government-to-government closed-door event. Decision-makers and government authorities from the UAE will convene to discuss about the maritime sector in the country and its enhanced capabilities that have given the UAE the reputation of a prime maritime hub.”

Tackling key issues

The 2021 edition will focus on seafarer safety, the future of the supply chain, digitalization and data, regulation updates, and decarbonization and sustainable shipping. Attendees will also get the opportunity to learn from powerful influencers and thought-leaders from the industry.

Chris Morley, Event Director, Seatrade Maritime said, “UAE Maritime Week brings together a series of long-awaited events in the region, and we hope to provide an experience of a lifetime to our attendees and exhibitors. Every year, our goal is to provide an enlightening, unrivaled, and immersive experience for industry professionals, while also ensuring that the platform serves to be effective for networking and forging valuable business partnerships. The themes for this year align with the UAE’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are aiming to highlight the importance of innovation, digitalisation and excellence in the industry and supporting young talent to make the right career choices in maritime. In support of the UAE Ministry of Economy’s directive to promote SME’s and the government’s great vision for this sector, the event will act as an incubator for local SME’s and entrepreneurs.”

Over the years, the UAE Maritime Week has established itself as an epicentre for a variety of maritime activities, and a common platform for uniting the maritime industry. Attendees include prestigious influential names from key organisations like Abu Dhabi Ports, ADNOC, Al Masaood, Albawardy Damen, Allianz Marine, Bahri, and DP World.