Maritime Industry Sailing Out of Turbulent Water

The maritime industry has gone through challenging times in recent years but analysts are optimistic that things are stabilizing.

According to BIMCO Chief Shipping Analyst Mr Peter Sand, the maritime industry is looking set to move in the right direction in 2014. “We are definitely seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. The recent glimpse of sun in Capesize and VLCC segments, the slowing demolition activity and NewBuilding ordering gaining traction are all bullish signals,” said Mr Sand.

He also added that: “With the global economy recovering, the optimistic outlook of the shipping market has never been clearer than now.” Mr Peter Sand will be speaking at the 13th edition of the bi-annual Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2014, which will be held in Singapore between 19 and 21 March 2014.

He will be joined by a distinguished list of top maritime leaders from all over the world including Mr Roberto Cazzulo, Chairman, VP Corporate Quality and Chairman, RINA Services S.p.A., RINA Group and International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Council, Italy, Mr Chris Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer, Breitling Oil and Gas and Mr Thomas Kriwat, Chief Executive Officer, Mercantile Shipping Company.

Strong Line-Up of International Speakers

Themed “Repositioning for Growth in the Asia Pacific Region”, the conference will see a dynamic line-up of international maritime leaders who will provide delegates with insights, address challenges and share trends.

The focus will be on hot topics such as dry bulk demand, maritime finance, green shipping, and the use of maritime technology to cut cost and improve efficiency.

Apart from Mr Sand, Mr Cazzulo, Mr Faulkner and Mr Kriwat, the line-up of heavy-weight speakers includes:

Mahesh Iyer, Vice Chairman, Transworld Group Singapore
George Horsington, President – Business Development, Jaya Holdings
Capt. Jitesh Jaipuriyar, Chief Operating Officer, Emerald Maritime LLC
Neal de Rouche, Vice President Asia Pacific, Wilhelmsen Ship Services
Jeremy Nixon, Chief Executive Officer, NYK Line
Dr Joe Thomas, Director, Ballast Water Management Systems, Wärtsilä Environmental Solutions
Yang ChangKun, Managing Director – Shipping, ICBI Bank, China PRC

Asia in Focus

Despite the slowdown in the industry, Asia continues to hog the limelight as the main driving force of the
maritime industry this year.

RINA Group’s Mr Cazzulo noted: “During the last decade, Asia has played an increasingly important role in
shipping and there are few doubts that this trend will continue in the next five years. The robust demand in
bulk shipping, the availability of top-notch port operators, overall improvement in competencies, technology
innovation and strong support from the public and private sector, including classification societies, are
among the drivers that continue to sustain Asia in the lead in the maritime industry”.

“Asia is changing rapidly and Asia Pacific Maritime 2014 is an important platform for industry players. The
event plays a pivotal role in setting the scene for an open discussion among industry leaders on the potential
threats and opportunities of the industry in Asia. As IACS, there are several issues that are at the core of
future industry developments,” Mr Cazzulo added.

Set against this optimistic backdrop, APM will offer a holistic business experience by combining a
comprehensive exhibition, high-powered conference sessions, and a host of networking events that connect
quality Asia Pacific buyers to international maritime suppliers.

“APM has, over the years, grown into one of the most significant maritime exhibitions and conferences,” said
Ms Michelle Lim, Managing Director, Reed Exhibitions.

“As a premier maritime show in Asia, we are keenly attuned to the needs of the industry players, what it
takes to survive and do well despite today’s turbulent environment. And with this in mind, we have
capitalized on our fortunate position to gather some of the industry’s most prominent heavy-weights to
speak at our conference. Delegates can expect to see robust discussions between these world maritime
leaders on the outlook of the shipping industry in the year ahead,” she added.

IMarEST Ballast Water Technology Asia Conference, to be held alongside APM

When the IMO Ballast Water Convention is ratified, much of the retrofit work on ships which need to be made compliant will be done in Singapore. The logistic challenges posed by the retrofit deadlines will be the focus of the inaugural IMarEST Ballast Water Technology Asia Conference, to be held alongside Asia Pacific Maritime. How will yards in Singapore and the region rise to the challenge?

Under the Chairmanship of Zafrul Alam, Assistant Director, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the one day conference will cover Regulation and Compliance, Remaining Concerns with the BWM Convention and Retrofit Challenges. Owners and Operators will give their opinions and a Technology Panel will put offerings from systems providers under the spotlight.

Themed ‘Where the Maritime World Congregates’, the 13th edition of APM will be held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. In a space of 21,000 square meters (18,000 sqm in 2012), attendees can expect to see 1,500 international maritime companies (1,300 in 2012) from 53 countries and meet with 15,000 (almost 13,000 in 2012) visitors from 60 countries.