Economic Growth of Middle East in Close Connection with Sea-Faring Tradition

The economic growth of the Middle East region is clearly entwined with its rich sea-faring tradition, which has made the UAE the home to nine seaports and the world’s third largest re-export market that trades with more than 220 countries today.

The economic benefits of the shipping and shipbuilding industry and its positive impact on the economic growth of the country were presented to some of the 700 delegates who took part in a two-day naval architecture and shipbuilding conference at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Naval engineers and top executives from shipping & shipbuilding companies and port operators also provided insights into terminal development, heavy lift and transport, offshore design and development and energy efficiency during the five sessions of MASTECH conference on Monday and Tuesday (Nov 25 & 26).

Held as part of the Gulf Maritime trade exhibition at Expo Centre Sharjah by the Middle East Alumni of Ship Technology (MAST), MASTECH was organised on the first two days of three-day Gulf Maritime, which is ending on Wednesday (Nov 27).

“The shipbuilding industry has enormous potential to initiate economic development for the host country. The UAE’s transformation into a trading hub of the region was propelled mainly by its ports and strong maritime industry. From the very beginning, the UAE had focused on its ports, logistics facilities and allied services. The result is there to be seen in the phenomenal growth of the country,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

In their key note address, Mr. Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World and Mr. Joe Brincat, Regional Vice-President of ABS Middle East also stressed on the rich maritime past of the country and region, and how the maritime industry anchors the regional economy in calm as well as turbulent waters.

In the session on ‘Economic Benefits Due To Shipbuilding’, Capt. Navaneetha Krishnan of Indian Navy linked the micro-economics of the shipbuilding industry with the overall economic growth of the nation.

With tightening environmental regulations, mandatory energy efficiency plans and rising bunkering costs, energy efficiency and green shipping rank at the top of the agenda for fleet operators.

The shipping industry, which carries around 90% of all trade in the world, is, however, responsible for around 2.7% of all man-made greenhouse carbon emissions, a figure which is being envisaged to be reduced by 20 per cent by 2020 and 50 per cent by 2050.

The session on ‘Improving Energy Efficiency For Green Shipping’ by Mr. George Wang of ABS presented some of energy efficiency measures, including the current status of the technology and estimated fuel savings.

“Achieving energy efficiency is a holistic process utilizing naval architecture, marine engineering, technology, innovation and management of the regulatory environment,” Mr. Wang told the delegates.

Captain Melvin Mathews of Eniram Ltd. tackled the issue of the volatile and unpredictable maritime climate due to low freight rates and high fuel prices. “Embracing energy efficient new technology not only reduces fuel consumption but also offers massive competitive advantage commercially while having greatly reduced environmental impact,” Capt. Mathews said.

Mr. Torben Rasmussen of Hempel Paints presented a new hull coating solution based on silicone-hydrogel and biocide science offering both outstanding resistance to fouling during idle periods and significant fuel savings.

The session on ‘Allocation Of Risks And Exclusions In Offshore Contracts’ by Mr. Robert Lawrence-Clyde and Co. reviewed how risk can be allocated in an offshore contract, as well as what steps can be taken in the event of a marine incident.

The Khorfakkan Container Terminal recently welcomed the world’s largest container ship, the 16,000-TEU CMA CGM Marco Polo, highlighting the issues of terminal development and planning for the future. Mr. Saleem Kadernani of Gulftainer presented the impact of ultra large ships to terminals and trade, expansions required and the drivers behind the expansions, and the investments required to receive these ships. A case study of the US East Coast where this is happening was also presented.

Topics taken up in the session on offshore design included advancement in deep sea development, beach pull installation of long pipelines and cables, recent developments in offshore gas technology, introduction to rack phase differential and simple approach to estimate RPD for jack up units and global lateral buckling of deepwater HPHT pipelines.

“MASTECH 2014 turned out to be a significant event for ship owners, operators, shipbuilders and suppliers of equipment and services to not only gain a fresh outlook of the industry but also to share their experience, exchange ideas, and discuss latest trends and issues with their peers,” added Mr. Midfa.

The ninth Gulf Maritime is ending at 6pm on Wednesday (November 27), offering the regional industry to take advantage of the region’s most happening maritime event.

[mappress]

Gulf Maritime, November 26, 2013