DP World, UAE Region will once again be the host port for the 5th edition of Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the largest project cargo and breakbulk event in the GCC, to be held in Dubai, UAE.

DP World, UAE Region will occupy the post for the second consecutive year, effectively reinforcing BBME’s growing regional presence and its contributions to the country’s economy, said a statement from the company.

The two-day conference and exhibition will be held under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and the chairman of the Federal Transport Authority (FTA) for Land and Maritime.

The event is set to take place from the February 25 to 26, at the Dubai World Trade Center.

As part of this strategic vision to build a diversified and sustainable UAE economy, leading maritime companies, both locally and internationally, play a critical role in achieving this objective. In this regard, DP World, UAE Region has successfully achieved tremendous progress by transferring its local expertise in managing ports and logistics to reach an international level.

DP World, UAE Region works on developing the import and export cycle from raw material production centres to the arrival of goods to the end-user, given the rapid growth of trade and shipping business, specifically in the breakbulk sector.

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and managing director of DP World, UAE Region, said: “Solidifying our status has been a gradual process that required patience and a commitment to excellence.”

“Similarly, while Breakbulk Middle East is youthful in its existence, the event is evolving to meet the needs of the industry, and consistently exceeding expectations, which is something we can proudly stand behind. Breakbulk Middle East’s rising trajectory over the last half-decade is indicative of the immense impact it will continue to have in the coming years,” he added.

Breakbulk Middle East has consistently worked to develop timely agenda topics, as well as introduce new initiatives that cater to forwarding the sector. Last year’s edition introduced ‘Women in Breakbulk Middle East’ to encourage gender equality and inclusivity in the industry.

Moreover, this year, the event is introducing ‘Breakbulk AR’, an augmented reality initiative that allows companies to innovatively showcase their service offerings in an era where digitalisation continues to rapidly rise.

Al Muallem added: “Over 61 per cent of cargo destined for GCC states arrives via the UAE’s seaports. This figure demonstrates the importance which ports play in maintaining not only our country’s well-being, but also the overall region.”

“Breakbulk Middle East enables clear communication lines between all members of the industrial supply chain that are involved in the exchange of vital imports and exports. With a large majority of these entities represented at Breakbulk Middle East, the event serves as a strong platform to reconnect, source new partners, and strategize for the overall benefit of the industry,” he added.

Ben Blamire, show’s event director, said: “We are glad to have DP World, UAE Region as a premier global partner for Breakbulk Middle East. While these collaborative ties offer our event added credibility, we are also expectant that our partnership can work in equivalence to realise the ambitions of DP World, UAE Region.”

“In the lead up to Expo 2020, the demand for project cargo has risen sharply. We are confident that Breakbulk Middle East will provide the platform for DP World, UAE Region to secure new project opportunities so that Jebel Ali Port can fulfil its role as the premier gateway for Expo-bound cargo, and subsequently carry this momentum forward in the wake of Expo 2020 as well,” he added.

Leslie Meredith, marketing director, Breakbulk Events & Media, said: “In addition to our partnership with DP World, UAE Region, we are also collaborating with other prominent industry names: Abu Dhabi Ports, Agility Project Logistics, Micco, Cosco Shipping, to name a few.”

“Bolstering our event with household names such as these is strategic in the sense that it ensures the presence of experts, and allows exhibitors and visitors alike to connect with companies that can help grow businesses and the industry,” Meredith added.

“The door for registration for the fifth edition is now open, and we welcome all industry leaders and experts to join us by registering through our official platforms”, she concluded. – TradeArabia News Service