H.E. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer Inaugurates the 9th edition of Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition
Dubai – United Arab Emirates, 28 February 2018: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.E. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, inaugurated today the 9th edition of the Offshore Arabia Conference and Exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, under the theme “Navigating the Future and Facing the Challenges”.
Following the opening ceremony, H.E. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer accompanied by a number of officials, specialists, and keynote speakers from the region and the world, toured the exhibition area and met representatives from various participating companies specialized in the Offshore Oil and Gas industry.
During his opening speech, H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Marina and Maritime Industries, DCMMI & Chairman, of Offshore Arabia said: “Through Offshore Arabia, we will continue to see some in-depth analysis of the major industry trends and dynamics, while offering keen insights into the challenges and uncertainties facing our industry and how to navigate through such transformation.”
“Accordingly, the UAE & KSA continue to lead the regions potential development and growth in the offshore sector with the global oil demand growth rising from an estimated 1.3 mb/d to the present level of 1.6 mb/d with a healthy level for 2018.” He added
He concluded: “From the perspective of the global economy, there is an expectation that growth will generally accelerate over the medium-term to 3.7% by 2022, driven by faster expansion across the board. This includes improving conditions in different zones of the global economy.”
From his side, H.E. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, IMO said: “I am delighted to be here at this Offshore Arabia Conference and Exhibition. These are times of great change for the offshore world, the shipping world and the oil and gas industries. For around 100 years, these industries have been closely linked by oil – finding it, producing it, transporting and using it as fuel. But today, driven by the need to address climate change and move towards a cleaner and greener future, we are all looking at a world that no longer relies heavily on fossil fuels; a world of reduced emissions, energy efficiency, clean fuels and green technology. This Conference will be taking a look into that exciting future.”
H.E. Dr. Eng. Abdulla Salem Al Katheeri, Director General, Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime FTA, UAE said during his opening speech: “Offshore Arabia comes at an important stage in the ongoing achievements of the UAE, that includes winning a seat in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Class B, and the confirmation of its leading role in the maritime field at the regional and international levels, as well as the importance of highlighting cooperation and developing mechanisms of communication between all partners in the maritime transport and navigation system as an important part in the efforts of holistic development of maritime transport and improvement of its capabilities in the country and their contribution to support economic activities, to achieve the vision of the wise leadership in the country in future foresight and continue to provide creative ideas as a basis for achieving ambitions.”
On his part, Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice-Chairman and Group CEO of INDEX Holding, said: “With 20 of the world’s leading ports operating from the UAE fully equipped with advanced infrastructure for shipping, the UAE has become today a regional hub for maritime trade and commerce. According to experts, the maritime sector today accounts for 5 percent of the UAE economy valued at 200 billion dirhams and its contribution is projected to go up by 25 percent, with an equivalent growth in investment in the port infrastructure and through expansion of several projects.”
“As a dedicated event in the marine and the maritime industry, Offshore Arabia aims to explore future opportunities and challenges of this industry, while at the same time play host to innovative technologies that can contribute to the economic growth and betterment of the environment.” He added
He concluded: “Through Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition, we are hoping to embrace the environment and unfold the knowledge and advancements to prevent environmental pollutions.”
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, The Dubai Council for Marine & Maritime Industries has successfully announced its collaboration with the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association “HELMEPA” in order to establish the first of its kind non-profit “United Arab Emirates Marine Environment Protection Association- UAEMEPA”. Both parties prepared and signed a Declaration of Voluntary Commitment titled “To Save the Marine Environment”, based on HELMEPA’s founding Declaration “To Save the Seas”.
UAEMEPA offers the opportunity, for all those who care for the environment and are interested in safeguarding it, to learn about the significance of the “marine environment” for our economic prosperity, social well-being and quality of life.
The agreement was signed by H.E Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of The Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries “DCMMI” & Chairman of Offshore Arabia 2018 and Capt. Dimitris C. Mitsatsos, Secretary of the International Marine Environment Protection Association “INTERMEPA and with the presence of H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO , Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), H.E. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General , International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as H. E. Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al-Sabah, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Oil Tankers Company (KOTC) & Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Chairman of INDEX Holding, and Executive Chairman of Offshore Arabia.
Over the 2 days, Offshore Arabia witnesses the participation of 50 companies from 40 countries and expected to attract over 2,500 visitors and participants. On the first day of Offshore Arabia conference, a number of key trending topics in the industry will be highlighted including ‘An overview of the Maritime Industry’, Future of Global Offshore Oil and Gas Business, Advanced Underwater Survey for Offshore Industries and Offshore Class Digitalized and others.
Offshore Arabia Conference and Exhibition will be running until the 1st of March, 2018, it is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding. The event is supported by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DTCM, Dubai Council for Marine & Maritime Industry (DCMMI), Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime, Emirates Classification Society (TASNEEF), Emirates Maritime Arbitration Center (EMAC), International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), World Ocean Council, and UAE Shipping Association amongst many others.
