A brand new event for the global ports industry

US$46.5 billion is being spent on ports in the Middle East. Discover the new epicentre of port development at the World Ports & Trade Summit.

From 28-30 March 2011, the city of Abu Dhabi will be hosting the very first World Ports & Trade Summit, an event that has been launched to focus the attention of business professionals involved in the development of ports and associated industries, as Governments look to evolve their development strategies in line with economic management and recovery.
 

> An international exhibition will provide leading companies the opportunity to showcase services and solutions to key purchasers in the region

> One to one meetings between cargo owners and shipping companies will be offered to help speed procurement and qualify potential partnerships

> A carefully designed mix of keynote conference sessions, panel debates and round table discussions will give delegates the opportunity to hear from the industry’s most influential minds, and share knowledge with other attendees from around the world

> Renowned economists will plot the recovery of the world economy and will give their thoughts on new and emerging markets. Additional streams will look at the efficient operation of ports whilst reviewing the commercial impact of current and future legislation

> A programme of investor meetings and knowledge workshops will introduce investors to future projects and give port owners and operators the opportunity to present information to potential partners

> Hosted tours of Khalifa Port, the Industrial Zone and other port facilities in the UAE will bring projects to life and let attendees meet people at the forefront of these developments

> The Summit will serve as a venue for the major terminal operators’ annual meetings

> Free training programmes will create further value for visitors to the event

> A programme of receptions and dinners will provide a vital networking opportunity for participants to meet and relax away from the exhibition centre

Receive regular updates via email by requesting further information here.

Exhibit
Take a stand to sell products, showcase services, host demonstrations and hold private business meetings. To book your stand contact Alan Le Coyte on +971 (0)50 785 8126. Read more about exhibiting...

Sponsor
Increase your visibility, position your company as a market leader and promote your brand to investors in ports and industrial zones. To see a list of sponsorship opportunities contact Alexis Wheatley on +971 (0)2 401 2805 or Alan Le Coyte on +971 (0)50 785 8126. Read more about sponsoring...

Speak
Present your knowledge to delegates from around the world by hosting your own round table discussion. Read more about round tables...

Promote
Whether you are a publication, industry association, university or training provider, become part of the Summit campaign through a media partnership with us. Contact Rebecca Oxley on +971 (0)2 401 2813.

Attend
Learn from the industry’s leading minds in the conference and discover the latest innovations and services being offered by companies in the exhibition. Online registration will be available on this website soon.

The UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all opened major new port terminals in 2009. For all the doom and gloom in the global economy, spending on port developments in the Middle East is still growing, and with $46.5bn worth of port development projects now planned or under way, the market for building and expanding the region’s ports has proved to be far more resilient than the wider construction sector.

> Qatar boasts nearly $11.5bn worth of projects under way. These include the $7bn New Doha Port on the outskirts of Mesaieed, which will replace the inner-city Port of Doha from 2014.

> Given Saudi Arabia’s proximity to the trade lanes to the Suez Canal, the Kingdom is currently spending $9.5bn on port development.

> Egypt has $6.7bn worth of port developments under way and is looking to attract inward investment of more than $9bn to support its port expansion.

> The UAE continues to invest heavily in developing port capacity. Valued at $2.1bn, Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone is expected to open in late 2011 with a start-up capacity of 2 million TEUs and 6 million tonnes of general cargo.

> Jordan’s $700m project comprises a bulk terminal to handle up to 15 million tonnes a year, a ferry terminal, and a grain terminal able to handle 2.5 million tonnes a year by 2013.

> Kuwait is planning a $2bn port, Iran is investing nearly $1.3bn and Iraq is developing a new port on the Al-Faw peninsula valued at US$6bn and assessing the possibilities of privatising Umm Qasr Port.

With the critical construction phases well underway in Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the ongoing developments of significant projects in the UAE and Middle East region, The World Ports & Trade Summit is an unmissable opportunity to see developments in the UAE first-hand, understand the commercial opportunities available in the region and to meet the people behind the projects taking shape.