Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the region’s only dedicated event for the project cargo and breakbulk industry, is pitched to usher in a new era of growth, creating a dynamic economy for the local and regional cargo and breakbulk sector.

 

BBME is set to bring industry project service providers together for new project cargo business, covering a series of decisive themes and participation from leading industry experts. 

 

It is expected to attract more than 1,700 companies from over 70 countries including industry leaders, government officials and specialists from the private sector who will engage in discussions related to post-Covid recovery challenges and opportunities, including supply chain disruptions, economic development and innovation. It is scheduled to be held at the World Trade Centre from February 1 to 2, 2022, under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

 

The event’s relevance to the industry has helped it gain the trust of major industry players such as DP World, UAE Region who is the Host Port and partners like AD Ports Group, Bahri Logistics, MICCO Logistics, DSV Abu Dhabi, QTerminals, AAL Shipping, Basra Multipurpose Terminal Iraq, Freightcare Logistics, Al Faris, Ceekay Shipping Services and ISS Global Forwarding.

 

Sheikh Nasser Majid Al-Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Infrastructure and Transport at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said: “The pandemic has proved to be a challenging time for the maritime and logistics industry and hence there are several learnings and opportunities that the industry can leverage. Having industry experts from around the globe talk about pressing issues in the sector will certainly provide insightful solutions. BBME will facilitate this process and reiterate the UAE’s front-running position in the project cargo sector as a global player that is striving to develop the industry globally. The event certainly can foster lucrative contracts and drive the economy of the UAE that recorded a GDP of $357 billion in 2020, while also helping us achieve a leading status on key competitive indexes in the region.”

 

Apart from other sectors in the logistics industry, the project cargo industry did witness a lull. As business gets back to the usual, the industry is flooded with opportunities that must be highlighted. Breakbulk Middle East will play that significant role by connecting global industry players, who can contribute to the industry’s success. 

 

Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, explained: “The pandemic proved to be a learning curve not only for our industry but for businesses and nations around the world. At the same time, the cargo sector too has gone through a period of disruption. Despite this, our strategic investments have helped us to continue growing and expanding our overall capabilities. Our recent partnerships with industry-leading figures that include France-based CMA CGM Group and Aqaba Development Corporation in Jordan and the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, has also had a profound impact on the maritime and tourism sectors. Our Cargo volumes grew 66.67% during the first six months of the year to reach 25 million metric tonnes. 

 

“As we remain committed to transforming Abu Dhabi into a top global maritime centre and driving economic diversification in the UAE, it is encouraging to have events like BBME that have fuelled the industry’s growth over the years. We are certain that Breakbulk Middle East 2022 will be a great opportunity for everyone in the sector to engage on a common platform to devise new solutions to the several industry challenges.”

 

Mohammad Jaber, COO & MD Air & Sea DSV Abu Dhabi said: “BBME brings together supply chain and cargo leaders from around the globe to discuss and facilitate the future of innovation in the industry by fostering long-term partnerships, knowledge sharing and building mutually beneficial arrangements. As a company that manages significant logistics volumes of inbound at Abu Dhabi Ports & terminals, we understand the significance of dialogues and the resultant solutions.”

 

“The last couple of years have been extraordinary for the industry. This prompted us to constantly expand to overcome challenges with proven success. As the country commenced their expansion towards a more diversified economy, we diversified our portfolio. Today, our services include international freight forwarding (sea, air, and surface), freight handling, warehousing and distribution, road feeder services, bonded cargo movements, and more offering services across different sectors including healthcare. We hope to carry on our success and are hence looking forward to our presence at BBME which is a hub for opportunities,” added Captain AM Simreen, Managing Director, MICCO.

 

Neville Bissett, Chief Executive Officer at QTerminals said: “As prime enablers of Qatar’s import and export market, its maritime trade flows and stimulating the country’s economic growth locally and regionally, we are always on the lookout for identifying investment and operations opportunities in ports and terminals outside of Qatar, and we believe BBME would facilitate that for us.”

 

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Programme, the kingdom seeks to increase non-oil exports to more than SR1 trillion ($270 billion). Helping realise this goal, is the logistics and transport sector. 

 

Eng Abdulaziz Sabri, President, Bahri Ship Management said: “With Saudi Arabia pursuing the goals of Vision 2030, there are numerous opportunities for local and global shipping companies in the kingdom. We recently expanded our Crude Carrier fleet to 42 with the addition of ‘Rayah’, our first gas ready vessel. We are thus making strides in terms of developing our fleet and expect more progress in the coming years. Our participation in BBME will underpin this growth as the event is a storehouse of opportunities.” 

 

Ben Blamire, Event Director of Breakbulk Middle East highlighted: “BBME will bring together leading companies from across the project supply chain. After two years of virtually no travel, there has never been a better time to renew business relationships face-to-face.”

 

Leslie Meredith, Marketing Director of Breakbulk Events & Media concluded: “With more than 4,000 industry professionals, key decision-makers, experts and enthusiasts from around the globe participating, BBME will be a hub for collaboration, innovative ideas and thought leadership. As we now move into the post-pandemic phase, we are certain that the event will stimulate more valuable interactions with project owners, EPCs, industrial manufacturers and global project forwarders—the people who decide which service providers get the next contract.”-- TradeArabia News Service