2012 Conference programme

Exchanging Knowledge with Global Industry Leaders

The conference programme at Seatrade Middle East Maritime provides a unique opportunity for delegates to hear, discuss and exchange knowledge with the industry’s most influential minds.

Taking place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from November 27-29^th, the 3 day conference programme is hailed as amongst the most significant in the region’s global calendar and complements the international exhibition that runs in parallel.

To be part of these carefully designed conference sessions, register your interest.

TUESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2012

10.00 - Keynote session

By invitation only, this opening keynote session will see industry figureheads take to the stage for keynote addresses that look at the state of the industry and open the floor for discussion in further conference sessions. The session will be followed by the official opening ceremony.

Anchor: Jeremy Thompson, Sky News Presenter

Keynote speakers:

• H.E. Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Vice Chairman, DP World & Group CEO, Port & Free Zone World, Dubai
• H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman and Managing Director, Milaha, Qatar
• H.H. Sheikh Dr Sabah Al Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah, Chairman of the Board, Arab Sea Ports Federation, General Manager of Kuwait Ports Authority
• H.E. Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman, ASRY, Bahrain
• Sheikh Khalil Al-Salmi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Oman Drydock Company, Oman
• H.E. Eng. Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, President, Saudi Ports Authority
• H.E. Ali Obaid Al-Yabhouni, Chief Executive Officer, ADNATCO-NGSCO, Abu Dhabi; UAE Governor for OPEC; Chairman, The UAE Shipping Association
• Saleh Al Jasser, Chief Executive Officer, National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (BAHRI), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

14:00 - 16:00 - The Economic and Trading Environment

The downturn in Europe and weaker growth in developing countries is undoubtedly a good measure of the reach, depth and potential duration of the global economic slow-down in the shipping industry. However it is worth remembering that globalisation has led to astonishing increases in global trade which currently represents 30 per cent of world gross domestic product and is expected to grow to 50 per cent of world GDP by 2020.

Greater participation in international trade is undoubtedly a pre-requisite for economic growth and sustainable development in today’s competitive but fluctuating world economy. With more than 90% of worldwide trade moving by sea, volatility in the shipping industry remains a good indicator of the state of global commerce.

This session will be an in-depth focus of the current status and future outlook of the global economy and the impact on the trading environment from both a regional and international perspective. Featuring leading industry experts, it will provide a critical insight into what turbulence lies ahead and how the maritime industry will be further affected.

Anchor: Jeremy Thompson, Sky News Presenter

Speakers:

• Dr Naji Abi-Aad, Chief Operating Officer, Petroleb, Lebanon
• Redwan Ahmed, Equity Research Analyst, EFG Hermes, UAE
• Capt Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Terminals and Executive Vice President - Ports, Abu Dhabi Ports Company
  
• Rajiv Biswas, Chief Asia Economist, IHS Global Insight, Singapore
• Jørn Hinge, President & CEO, United Arab Shipping Company (S.A.G.)
• Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region

16:30 - 18:30 - Industry Question Time sponsored by

This is an interactive session, providing opportunity for lively discussion and debate between hand-picked panelists from the maritime and shipping sectors, on two important topics:

• Fuel cost increase – who should foot the bill?
• Shipping and the environment – environmental issues affecting the shipping industry.

Debate Chair: Mike Allen, Consultant, Fasken Martineau

Panelists:

• Oskar Levander, VP Innovation, Engineering & Technology - Marine, Rolls Royce
• Capt Robert Ferguson, Head of MSEQ, Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) PJSC
• Jasamin Fichte, Managing Partner, Fichte & Co.
• Lars Modin, Managing Director, ITM Holding
• Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region
• Katharina Stanzel, Managing Director, INTERTANKO

WEDNESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2012

10:00-12:00 - Offshore sponsored by

The fundamentals for offshore oil and gas remain strong as global demand for energy continues to rise, spurred by the emerging middle classes in developing economies, and conventional oil reserves run dry.  Increasing demand for energy and advances in technology continue to make offshore reserves an attractive source of income as oil prices remain at a steady high.

The offshore marine sector has been viewed as a rare opportunity for profit in an otherwise subdued shipping market, but emerging oversupply in the OSV market will surely impact margins in the sector in months to come.

This session will investigate the health of the Middle East’s offshore industry, its outlook for growth and what lessons can be learned from the development of offshore markets in other areas.

Session chairman: Joseph Brincat, Vice President, Middle East Region, ABS

Keynote address: Toshitomo Matsui, Executive Vice President, ClassNK

Speakers:

• Anil Deshpande, Chief Executive Officer, Foresight Limited
• Roy Donaldson, Chief Operating Officer, Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd
• Mohamed Sherine El Naggar, Chairman, A K Naggar Group
• Venkatraman Sheshashayee, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Jaya Group of Companies
• Geir Sjurseth, Managing Director and Global Head, Offshore Support, DVB Bank SE

14:00-16:00 - Terminal Operations

Industry insiders have observed that despite the port industry staging an impressive recovery in 2010 compared to 2009, this does not mark the end of turbulent times for operators.  Despite a high level of M&A activity from 2005-2007, the global economic downturn has slowed the momentum of terminal expansion and investment plans.  Thus global terminal operations are experiencing growing competition and limited growth opportunities.

This session will examine how Middle Eastern and international companies are operating in the current economic climate, and how, given that terminal operations lie at the core of the services offered by port companies, they are implementing efficient execution capabilities in their terminal operations to fuel growth and position themselves for recovery.

A detailed analysis through interactive panel discussions and industry presentations will focus on comprehensive terminal management capabilities, better terminal performance and operational efficiency. Insights into new and existing terminal operating challenges will also be explored given that it is essential to stream-line operations to remain competitive.

Session chairman: John Wylie, Chief Executive Officer, Agility (Abu Dhabi) PJSC

Keynote Industry Address: Dr Priyath Wickrama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Speakers:

• Patrick Bol, Director – Global Operations, DP World
• Eryn Dinyovszky, Transition Project Manager, Abu Dhabi Terminals
• Andre Toet, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Sohar

16:30-18:30 - Piracy and Security

International attention on the social and political crises in Somalia has brought welcome inter-governmental discussion on maritime piracy, although measures to combat the root causes of piracy will be slow to develop and naval deployments will not be able to guarantee the safety of ships travelling through the gulf.

The combination of armed guards aboard ships, naval intervention and the implementation of BMP have all helped to reduce pirate attacks and vessel captures in the past year.  It is critical that these approaches continue to work together to protect the lives of seafarers and cargoes of vessels in the Gulf of Aden.

This session will assess the current state of the maritime industry’s response to piracy and how best to move forward in developing a safer, more effective and more accountable defense against piracy.

Session chairman: Alec Emmerson, Consultant, Clyde & Co

Speakers:

• Peter Cook, Security Director and Founder, Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI)
• Roberto Giorgi, President, V Ships
• Mr Pottendal Mukundan, Director, International Maritime Bureau
• Todd J Offutt, Commander US Coastguard, Officer in Charge, US Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO)
• Simon Osborne, Director, Protection Vessels International (PVI)
• Max Zaccar, Chairman, Commercial Insurance and Special Envoy to the Middle East, IUMI

THURSDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2012

DNV 35^th Technical Committee Meeting hosted by

0930 – 1330 hrs

DNV's Technical Committee Meetings have been held the world over with a common theme of bringing together major industry stakeholders to discuss recent and future developments in the maritime sector. Held at Seatrade Middle East Maritime for the first time, the 35th DNV Technical Committee Meeting will continue this tradition with contributions from local and international voices.

Sharing ideas and fostering cooperation has arguably never been so critical to the maritime industry as it faces the combined pressures of piracy, increasing safety regulation and more stringent environmental legislation, all during a major downturn in shipping and slowing of the global economy. DNV will present its own technical knowledge and experience along with presentations from other respected industry sources to encourage a discussion to influence future industry developments for the benefit of the gathered stakeholders and wider maritime world.

Welcome address:

H.E. Ali Obaid Al-Yabhouni
Chief Executive Officer Abu Dhabi National Tanker Company (ADNATCO) and National Gas Shipping Company Ltd (NGSCO), Abu Dhabi; UAE Governor for OPEC; Chairman, The UAE Shipping Association

Topics for discussion and speakers will include:

The Regulatory Agenda:
Trond Hodne, Head of Global Marketing and Business Development, DNV

Scrubber Technology:
Jad Mouawad, Senior Engineer, Piping Systems and Pollution Prevention, DNV

Retrofit of Ballast Water Systems:
Jad Mouawad, Senior Engineer, Piping Systems and Pollution Prevention, DNV

Market Update and Shipping 2020 Project: 
Trond Hodne, Head of Global Marketing and Business Development, DNV

Piracy:

14:00-16:00 - Ship Recycling – Turning Aged Assets into Cash sponsored by

Ship recycling remains a contentious issue in the maritime industry as the act of beaching ships and cutting them down continues to attract negative attention from the media and environmental groups. Leading ship recycling nations continue to make advances in their procedures and working conditions, many gaining multiple ISO accreditations, and recycled ship steel still remains more environmentally friendly than processing fresh iron ore; an important consideration with ship recycling centres being so close to the growing Indian economy.

As the shipping industry endures a downturn, prices from cash buyers are a crucial factor in assessing a vessel’s future. This session will investigate regulatory issues in the industry and potential pitfalls for shipowners along with an analysis of the market outlook.

Session chairman: Alex Andrews, Partner, Reed Smith

Speaker and panelists:

• Bimal Bhatia, Senior Director - Marketing, Nasco Karaoglan Group
• Keyur Dave, Chief Financial Officer, Wirana Shipping, Singapore
• Nicholas Dean, General Manager, Dubai Trading Agency Group
• Mr B N Prasad, Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (India) Pvt Ltd
• Dr Anil Sharma, Founder, President & CEO, Global Marketing Systems, Inc. (GMS)

Register your interest by clicking here.