There will be distinct conference sessions following the keynote speeches, and these will deal with a number of themes, including regional trade patterns, ship finance, ports and shipping. There will also be a series of speeches giving details about recent case studies, illustrating how the financial sector can help release the full potential of regional shipping and ports operators to the benefit of trade and economic growth.

A high level group of expert speakers and panellists is being assembled by The Maritime Standard, and will include representatives from leading ship owners and managers, port operators, trade organisations, brokers and analysts, law firms and financiers. The event has also secured sponsorship support from a number of top maritime companies and organisations, including Abu Dhabi Ports as the host sponsor, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, National Marine Dredging Company, Islamic P & I Club and Dubai Maritime City.

Trevor Pereira, managing director of The Maritime Standard says, 'This the third time we are returning to Abu Dhabi to hold this event, and this reflects not just the success of the first two, but the growing importance of the emirate as a regional trade, shipping and finance hub. We will have some important names from the industry speaking and a high quality audience of decision makers. These are still difficult times for the industry, but we aim to make sure this event will add real value and assist companies in charting a course towards success when the recovery gathers momentum.'

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi Ports, said, 'We are delighted to be hosting The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference, an important event for Abu Dhabi’s Maritime sector as well as the UAE. Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a regional hub for both finance and trade so it makes perfect sense to hold this event here, to underline the emirate's growth in trade and transport both regionally and globally, in line with the leadership's wise vision in supporting the development of the shipping, ports and logistics sectors of the economy.'

The TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference is certain to generate a high level of interest and places are strictly limited. For more information about how to register go to: http://www.tms-shipfinanceandtrade.com/conference/delegate-registration/

Editor’s Note: About The Maritime Standard

The Maritime Standard (TMS) publishes a regular e-newsletter aimed specifically at the shipping and maritime community. It is delivered fortnightly, on the 1st and 15th of every month, and has built up a circulation of more than 30,000 recipients. It delivers the most accurate, up-to-date news about the market and has built up the largest circulation of any shipping-related online newsletter in the Middle East and India. It is also gaining popularity in other major shipping hubs, including Oslo, Hamburg, Singapore and Greece. The newsletter includes news and analysis from the shipping and ports industries and related sectors in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. Topics that are covered include tanker, container, dry and liquid bulk, ro-ro, and cruise shipping; terminal operations; port development; classification; ship repair and conversion; shipbuilding; ship agency; finance and insurance; maritime law; and transportation & logistics. The newsletter regally carries exclusives, analysis and interviews with top executives.
Website: www.themaritimestandard.com

A very successful first edition of the TMS UAE Yearbook was published in 2016, covering all the major sectors of the shipping, ports and maritime industry in the UAE. The publication was launched at SMM in Hamburg in September and generated a high level of interest. The in-depth analysis of port, shipping, shipyards, maritime law, classification, regulation and inland transports on, and other topics, was well received by the industry. The TMS UAE Yearbook 2017 will be released in June, following extensive on the ground research and interviews with leading players.

The not-to-be missed The Maritime Standard Awards recognise and celebrate success in the shipping, ports and related sectors across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards are now positioned as one of the world's leading shipping and maritime awards dinners and are the premier event of their kind in the region. The Maritime Standard Awards 2016, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman Emirates Airline and Group, attracted close to 700 of the region's elite shipping and maritime professionals, as well as a number of leading figures from overseas. These guests came from a variety of industry segments, ranging from ports and terminal operators to ship owners and managers, and executives from the worlds of maritime law and finance, classification, ship building and repair and maritime education and training. The 2016 event had Jim Clancy, the well-known former CNN news anchor, as master of ceremonies, following on from Alistair Campbell and Ruud Gullit in 2014 and 2015 respectively. As well as 21 general awards categories, the TMS team presented 7 special individual awards recognising the contributions made by high profile industry leaders and innovators. The Awards have set a benchmark within the industry and have become an eagerly anticipated meeting place for top executives from across the business, where they can meet, network and create new opportunities. The Maritime Standard Awards 2017 will take place on Monday, 23rd October 2017 at The Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai.

Website: www.tmsawards.com

The first The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference took place on 25th October 2016 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai, and attracted a high level audience who were able to hear presentations from many of the region's leading tanker owners and operators, as well as experts in related fields. Attendees included key decision makers and opinion formers and the event was hugely informative, also presenting opportunities for networking and face to face contact. Those present were given a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities not just for ship owners and operators active in the tanker markets, but those delivering products and services to this sector.

For more information go to the website: www.tmstankerconference.com
The second Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference took place at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort, on November 14th 2016. Like the first Conference, also held in Abu Dhabi, it was hugely successful, bringing together experts from the fields of shipping, ports, banking, finance, trade and maritime law, among others, to discuss and debate the key issues and trends facing the shipping business, and trade, in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. They willingly shared their insights and knowledge through a series of presentations and panel discussions, signposting the way forward, and identifying the key challenges ahead, as well as the significant opportunities that exist. A high level panel of speakers dealt with a number of themes including regional trade patterns, ship finance and ports and shipping. Speakers and attendees alike praised the content of the conference and the networking opportunities presented. There was appreciation of the fact that leading executives shared their industry knowledge and pointed the way to opportunities to adapt to evolving market situations in line with their forecasts.

For more information go to the website: www.tms-shipfinanceandtrade.com

Photo caption(from L to R):

Clive Woodbridge, Editor, The Maritime Standard; Sanjay Mehta, Chairman, S One Capital; Jesper Kjaedegaard, Partner, Mercator International; Jacob Berman, Managing Director, Standard Chartered; Anders Kron Commercial Manager Middle East, Sohar Port and Freezone; Venugopal Venkatesh, CFO, Oman Shipping Company; Ali Shehab, Deputy CEO, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Abdulkareem Al Masabi, executive vice president - ports unit, Abu Dhabi Ports; Trevor Pereira, Managing Director, The Maritime Standard; Khamis Juma Buamim, Managing Director & Group CEO, Gulf Navigation Holding; H.E. Dr. Abdullah Salem Alkatheeri, Director General, Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime; H.E. Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah, CEO, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Dr. Ali Obaid Al Yabhouni, Chairman, UAE Shipping Association; Capt. Abdul Wahab Al Diwani, Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime; Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports; Bora Bariman, Head of Energy & Marine, National Bank of Fujairah; Eng. Yasser Nasr Zaghloul, CEO, National Marine Dredging Company; Chris Peters, CFO, Emirates Ship Investment Company; Vasudev Amonker, Unit Head – Int’l Lending, Burgan Bank Group; Eng. Rashed Al Hebsi, CEO, Tasneef; Marcus Machin, Director, Tufton Oceanic (Middle East) Limited; Thomas Kriwat, CEO, Mercmarine Group of Companies; Ziad Touma, Partner, Fichte Legal Consultants (Photo: ME NewsWire)