Oversupply and global economic downturn to dominate China Maritime Week
The global maritime industry is bracing for a challenging year ahead, and there is an increasing need for the industry to get together and discuss the wide range of issues that will have to be addressed.
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China Maritime Week, to be held in Hong Kong from February 28 to March 1, will provide a platform for industry leaders from Asia, Europe and the US to discuss issues and formulate ideas to overcome the looming crisis for the shipping industry. There is intense activity throughout the region in ship-owning, ship-building, ship-repair, naval architecture, port operations, tugs, work boats, ferries, tourism, commercial fishing, naval, police and coast guard, and pollution control.
Arthur Bowring, managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, sees the event as a good opportunity for debate and discussion for industry leaders.
“Shipowners are facing a challenging year in 2012, as oversupply and the global economic downturn are having negative impacts on shipping,” he said. “China Maritime Week will provide a good platform for the shipping community to meet to discuss the way forward, share ideas and formulate strategy for the year ahead. Hong Kong is the ideal location for this event as a leading global maritime hub and the gateway to China.”
Mr Bowring is also moderating a Ballast Water Symposium at the Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on February 29. In addition, Michael Grey, the noted UK-based maritime industry correspondent and commentator, is the latest confirmed speaker at a half-day seminar organised by the Hong Kong Young Shipping Professionals, to be held at HKCEC on February 28. One of the highlights of the week will be the Clean Ships, Seas, Shores and Ports Conference, with speakers from shipping, port groups, NGOs and environmental groups. The focus of the conference will be sustainability.
Other confirmed events during China Maritime Week will include a Nautical Institute electronic navigation conference, an INTERFERRY conference, an ACI conference on Improving Ship Efficiency, and a Marine Money conference. The keynote social and networking event will be a charity dinner, accompanied by a large cocktail reception, in aid of seafarers jointly organised by the Sailors Society of UK and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association. Delegates will include representatives from banking, government, military, shipping and the ports sectors.
Neil Baird, founder and chairman of China Maritime, said: “The maritime industry is at a crossroads, there are some tough decisions to be made to do with ship financing, the environment, new technology and manning. China Maritime Week incorporates specialist seminars and conferences for all of these sectors and is the first major maritime event of 2012.”
