The Global Shippers’ Forum has announced plans to host its annual conference in Dubai, thus reiterating the emirate’s status as a key destination for the world’s shipping industry.

The forum, comprising organizations from more than 50 countries, includes retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers who use the shipping industry for their freight transportation needs.

The event will run from November 3 to 4 alongside the inaugural edition of SITL Dubai, (the International Week of Transport and Logistics), to be organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline.

The two co-located events will he held at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“We are very pleased to have received confirmation that the Global Shippers’ Forum has accepted Reed’s invitation to host the shipping industry’s annual industry showcase alongside SITL Dubai,” said Frederic Theux, president, Reed Exhibitions Middle East.

'Together with SITL Dubai, the Global Shippers’ Forum in 2009 will bring together the ‘who’s who’ of the shipping and logistics industry,' he quipped.

'Together these two events are an unrivalled platform for industry officials from the logistics and related sectors to meet, network, discuss and exchange ideas on the issues and trends that affect their business,' he added.

'The European Shippers' Council (ESC) is very excited to be showcasing the forum in Dubai this year,' said Dick van den Broek Humphreij, Chairman of the ESC, on behalf of the Global Shippers' Forum.

'Now more than ever before, efficiency, productivity and costs savings in logistics and supply chains require collaboration between all the different parties in the chain; and it is important for everyone concerned to be armed with the facts, knowledgeable of all the issues, and aware of industry-wide developments.'

'Along with our representational role to governments and the freight transport industry, that is precisely the purpose of the GSF and the ESC, and why Dubai - a trail-blazing city that will provide a corner-stone for the growth of the global shipping industry in the years to come, is a great place to do this,' he added.

The speakers line up includes Filip Beckers, transport procurement manager, Masterfoods; Lothar Muller, project manager, Cargo 2000; Dirk Van Den Bosch, chief commercial officer, DP World; Peter Knopf,  CEO, SAT Albatros; Jean Louis Cambon, Michelin; Michael Berzon, chairman Ocean Transportation Committee, NITL; and Ramiro Diaz from Elisabeth Arden.

In addition to the Global Shippers’ Forum, SITL Dubai will also host the SITL Business & Investment Forum, a platform to discuss key industry issues.

It will also organise a hosted Buyer Program that will bring together the world's decision-makers from the transport and logistics sector; and a large trade exhibition that will showcase major players operating in the logistics sector and a range of products, technologies and services aimed at the sector.-TradeArabia News Service