International experts to deliver sector update and share key insights during Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2014 

Dubai, October 25, 2014 - The 2014 edition of the biennial Seatrade Middle East Maritime will be the host event for the second annual one-day Global Workboats Technology Forum at which a line-up of renowned international experts will present a series of technical papers on the latest industry-leading topics.

Launched in strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco, the world’s leading fully integrated energy and petrochemicals enterprise, at the 2013 Middle East Workboats & Offshore Marine event, the 2014 forum will be held on Wednesday 29th October 2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
 
“A key knowledge and educational component of the three-day Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition and conference, this year’s forum speakers will address the trending issues impacting sector performance in an increasingly competitive and globalised marketplace,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade, organiser of Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2014.

“This one-of-its-kind platform for direct interaction between global industry decision-makers and international thought leaders enjoyed an extremely successful first outing in 2013 and we are looking forward to mirroring the experience this year, especially in light of industry developments over the last 12 months,” he added.

The Forum format will be technical paper presentations encouraging audience participation and including time for Q&A. Papers will be presented in front of global industry decision-makers and specialists — including Saudi Aramco’s Industrial Services Executive Director — alongside many other Marine Operational Companies.

The 2014 call for papers attracted submissions from across the industry spectrum and speakers this year include Paul Ostergaard, CEO & Founder, ShipServ, who will present on the Latest Trends in Operating Costs for Workboat Operators – Where Does the Money Go?; Prabjot Singh Chopra, Senior Naval Architect, SeaTech Solutions International on Workboat Designs for the Future; and Hans-Pieter Baaij, Commercial Director, Lankhorst Ropes, with his paper entitled The Less You Buy the Happier We Are: Beyond Mooring Lone Recycling to Sustainability.

Other speakers include Mike Roa, Senior Managing Principal engineer, ABS; Frode Klepsvik, Managing Director, Marine Technologies; Nikeel Idnani, Business Development Leader, DNV-GL and Nitesh Ranvah, CEO, 21 Knots.

Entry to the Global Workboat Technology Forum is free to all Seatrade Middle East Maritime visitors. For more information, please visit www.seatrade-middleeast.com

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE, the seventh biennial SMEM summit and exhibition, which is part of the Dubai Maritime Week, hosted by Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) is the largest event in the regional calendar, with more than 7,000 participants from 67 countries expected to attend following a record turnout in 2012. SMEM 2012 welcomed 7,065 attendees, 242 exhibiting companies from 33 countries and covered exhibition floor space totaling 4,338 square metres - a 7% increase on 2010.

Speakers and delegates representing international and regional shipping operators, ports, financiers and associated maritime professionals will be welcomed by international broadcaster and journalist, Mishal Husain, who is confirmed as this year’s keynote session moderator and master of ceremonies for the 2014 Seatrade Maritime Awards.