International Audience Favors Europort's Maritime Leadership Message

Europort’s critical role as the focus for technological innovation in the shipping industry was reflected in international visitor numbers at the 2015 event. This year’s exhibition attracted unprecedented overseas participation, with international visitors up to 22% and 15 country pavilions present. 29,174 visitors in total came through the doors in Rotterdam last week, where more than 56 events were dedicated to advancing leadership in: technology, efficiency, human capital, and new market opportunities. One of the most successful additions to the 2015 program was the Europort Masterclass Series, which explored key topics at the leading edge of innovation. The series of six masterclasses along with the 4 conferences held attracted 1955 delegates.
 
A vibrant center of the global maritime community, Europort 2015 showed once again the credentials that have made it one of the world’s leading maritime events. “Of strategic importance and located in the heart of Europe”, said Marie Zoe Belon-Laitinen, Project Leader – Marine & Offshore, Fin Pro. While Dredge Yard Marketing Manager, Julia Berchiu, summed it up: “The feedback we have had this year at the show has been great. Europort is quite simply one of the best exhibitions in our industry.”
 
Europort exhibitors proved that they are setting the global lead in terms of technology and innovation, driving much needed efficiency within the sector. A world-first, dual-fuel container ship conversion was announced, with German shipping company, Wessels Reederei signing a contract with MAN Diesel & Turbo at the exhibition to retrofit the 8L48/60B main engine of its 1,000-teu container ship ‘Wes Amelie’ to dual-fuel operation.
 
The ship will be the first of its kind worldwide to be converted to an LNG-capable propulsion system and offers a benchmark to sentiments expressed in the exhibition’s opening ceremony.
 
Jan Valkier, CEO of the Anthony Veder Group and one of the panel of heavyweight maritime representatives that opened the exhibition last Tuesday, addressed the significance of leadership within the area of energy and innovation. Laying out his vision, Valkier warned that price was only one element and that as an industry shipping needed to look at the environment, with emission control fast becoming the dominant driver. He asserted, “LNG is the future…in the long-term it will provide the right fuel for our industry.”
 
The next edition of Europort will be held 7-10 November 2017, for further details and to exhibit please visit www.europort.nl