Government
ministers and industry game-changers convene in Abu Dhabi as Middle
East maritime infrastructure growth meets economic opportunity to
create a new seaborne trade superpower
Held
under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE
Armed Forces, in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ports
Company (ADPC), the opening ceremony and keynote address by HE Dr
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman, ADPC; HE Sultan bin Saeed Al
Mansoori, Minister of Economy, UAE; HE Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Group
CEO, Port & Free Zone World and Non-Executive Chairman, DP World,
UAE; and Grant Gilfillan, CEO, Sydney Ports Corporation and First
Vice President IAPH, will focus on how the Gulf, and wider Middle
East, can continue to strengthen its position as a major strategic
force on the world stage.
“With
more than US$36 billion invested into port transportation in the
Gulf’s key maritime hubs, the region is becoming an anchor for both
sea and airborne trade, in its capacity as a crucial link in the
economic chain that joins East and West; and this gathering of
regional and global influencers and game-changers will be the most
revealing yet,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade.
The
first afternoon’s forum session will be led by an invited panel of
international market experts including Eric Lee, Commodities
Strategist, Citibank, USA and Amrita Sen, Senior Analyst, Energy
Aspects, UK, with panellists engaging in a critical discussion about
the impact of global changes and the economic reality of short to
long-term challenges and pressure on regional and international trade
patterns.
Day
2 sees a focus on port infrastructure development in the Gulf as it
is gathering increasing momentum, with the UAE’s Jebel Ali facility
set to see terminal three capacity expanded to 19 million TEU per
annum, and Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port Terminal adding a further 15
million TEU per year upon completion in 2030. Saudi Arabia has
allocated US$750 million allocated to Dammam’s King Abdul Aziz
Port, while King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail is to construct two
additional terminals, valued at US$38.4 million. Oman is also
developing its existing Salalah facility to launch a new US$143
million maritime-meets-air hub, and Qatar’s US$7.1 billion
mega-port project, which opens in 2016, will offer eventual capacity
of six million TEU per annum by 2028.
“With
major ports across the GCC expected to see growth of more than 5% by
2017, VIP industry and government presence at this year’s Summit,
once again demonstrates the ‘lifeline’ importance of maritime
trade and ports infrastructure to businesses and governments on both
a regional and international levels,” said Hayman.
The
day two line-up also offers in-depth sessions focusing on operational
challenges and opportunities highlighting port technology, security
and environmental best practice; plus discussions on the issues of
breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift.
Over
30 high profile speakers will share their expertise and insight over
the next 48 hours, including Chen Yingming, Deputy Executive
President, China Ports and Harbours Association; and Santiago
Garcia-Mila Lloveras, Deputy General Manager, Port of Barcelona &
Chairman of the European Seaports Organisation. Regional industry
luminaries include Abdul Wahab Mohamed Al Diwani, Director, Marine
Inspection and Survey, Marine Transport Sector, National Transport
Authority, UAE; Neil Watson, GC Manager, Abu Dhabi Terminals, UAE;
and Mohammad Jaber, Chief Operating Officer, Agility, UAE.
Organised
by Seatrade, the World Ports & Trade Summit is
held in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ports Company
(ADPC).
For
more information on World Ports & Trade Summit 2013, please log
on toworldportsandtrade.com
