The region's leading shippers and project cargo professionals will come together at the Breakbulk Middle East, to be held for the first time in Dubai, UAE, in February next year.

The event, hosted by the UAE-based global marine terminal operator DP World, will take place on February 11 and 12, 2019, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Mohammed Al Muallem, DP World’s chief executive officer and managing director, UAE Region, said: "As the official host port sponsor for the fourth edition of Breakbulk Middle East, we believe the event is the ideal platform not only to network with shippers, ports, carriers, forwarders and heavy transport specialists but also to generate informed discussions by industry leaders on the opportunities and challenges facing the global breakbulk and cargo sector.”

“Breakbulk Middle East in Dubai will help global leaders connect with the strong and dynamic maritime sector in the UAE and its key decision-makers. We believe that collaboration, partnership and cooperation build bridges towards enduring relationships and business growth,” he added.

Al Muallem continued: “The event is also strategically timed to bring wider focus on the pivotal role our industry will play as Expo 2020 draws closer. The demand for handling breakbulk and special project cargo will rise sharply in the months ahead and as a Premier Global Trade Partner of the event DP World UAE Region is working to ensure that Jebel Ali Port is ready to fulfil its role as the premier gateway for expo-bound cargo.”

Ben Blamire, the event’s commercial director, said: “We have been organising this event for years in many countries, but I can say with confidence our Middle East editions were exceptional. We are also privileged with the constant support we always receive from the government authorities and international companies, which contribute significantly to the success of our event.”

“We look at the UAE as a permanent platform that will continue to add imperative value to discussions and ideas that are exchanged among participants,” he said.

“This will contribute to shaping the future of the maritime industry and marine services, which are the backbone of the international trade,” he added.

Alongside the exhibition, Breakbulk Middle East offers a full two-day conference, covering the important topics that project cargo specialists need to know to seize regional opportunities and construct effective project plans.

Sponsored by loyal key partners, such as King Abdulla Port, Agility, Bahri Logistics, KDL Logistics, MICCO, COSCO Shipping and Port of Salalah, both conference and expo guarantee face-to-face opportunities to discuss these topics in greater depth.

Major topics include GCC economic diversification, drilling down to project opportunities, logistics for post-conflict regions and HSE and workforce strategies.

Leslie Meredith, marketing director, Breabulk Events & Media, said: “As per the positive feedback from our partners who expressed their satisfaction to participate in the previous editions, we are currently working hard with our event’s partners and consultants to ensure tackling diverse topics than we presented in the previous editions.”

“I want to confirm that our event is an interactive business platform that enables industry leaders to discuss important issues affecting the current reality of the industry and its future prospects on a global level,” Meredith said.

“We have recently opened the registration for our fourth edition and we highly welcome all the industry experts and key players to join and register through the official website,” Meredith concluded. – TradeArabia News Service