The fourth annual The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference, to be held later this year in Abu Dhabi (UAE), will focus on the theme of ‘Converting greater optimism into sustainable trade growth’.

The event will take place on November 6, at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort, and is set to be the strongest yet.

The theme for the upcoming conference is highly topical and builds on the discussions that took place at last year's event, said a statement.

Clive Woodbridge, editor and conference chairman, said: “There is a growing consensus that markets in many different segments of the shipping business are improving.”

“Making the right decisions now as we hit the upturn will be crucial and this conference is perfectly timed to signpost the way forward,” he said.

The popular one-day event is expected to attract over 150 senior executives from across the shipping, ports, finance, banking, trade and legal sectors, who will gather to debate and discuss the key issues and challenges facing the industry, it said.

In particular the conference aims to encourage dialogue and cooperation between the various sectors to achieve sustainable growth within the regional shipping and ports businesses, as well as an overall increase in trade activity, it added.

Abu Dhabi Ports is a strong supporter of the Ship Finance and Trade Conference and believes the event is in a tremendous position to add value within the region. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, chief executive, said: “We are very excited to be hosting the conference once again in Abu Dhabi.”

“This conference brings together banks, financial institutions and shipping companies under the same roof and is the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. I would encourage any business active in the shipping, ports and maritime sectors, as well as the financial world, to support, participate and attend this important conference,” he added.

The event will kick-off with keynote presentations from renowned business and political leaders. There will then follow distinct conference sessions that will tackle topical themes. The main session in the morning will look at investing in infrastructure delivery, with a view towards unlocking trade potential, said a statement.

Topics that will be addressed include port investments in the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka, as well as the need to invest to capitalise on China's New Silk Road and One Belt programmes, it said.

Session 2 will look at the future of ship finance, and the implications of change in this sector for the shipping business in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Topics will include an assessment of alternative lending platforms, merger and acquisition activity and the requirements of the shipping industry from financial sector.

The third and last session will assess how best to support regional trade development. This will include case studies from the UAE commodity markets, maritime law issues, environmentally inspired investments and the development of new trade-supporting financial products, it added.

Trevor Pereira, managing director of The Maritime Standard, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Abu Dhabi to hold this conference for the fourth time. The programme is an exciting and challenging one, with plenty to engage all sectors of the business.”

“Our aim is to provide something that really sets it apart from other conferences in this sector and we are confident that we can achieve this goal,” he added.

A top quality panel of expert speakers is being lined up by The Maritime Standard, and will include representatives from leading ship owners and managers, port operators, trade organisations, brokers and analysts, law firms and financiers.

The event has also secured sponsorship support from a number of top maritime companies and organisations, including Abu Dhabi Ports as the host sponsor, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, Dubai Trading Agency, Bestar Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, International Shipping and Logistics, Adnoc Logistics & Services, Dubai Maritime City and Sharjah Ports Authority.

The event is endorsed by The Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime. Supporting Associations for the event include: UAE Shipping Association (UAESA), The Organisation of Islamic Shipowners' Association (OISA), The Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries (DCMMI); Dubai Ship Agents Association (DSAA); Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA); Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers; Nautical Institute; Indian National Shipowner's Association (INSA); Pakistan Ship Agents Association (PSAA), Jordan Shipping Association, Supply Chain & Logistics Group, the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) and the Baltic Ports Organisation, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service