The fifth annual The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference will be held at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche on 6th November 2019. It will seek to build on the reputation for quality information sharing and networking earned over the past four years.

In 2018 the Conference attracted a high-quality audience of around 150 executives and decision makers from across the industry. They assembled to discuss and debate the key issues and trends facing the shipping and ports market in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, with a particular focus on financial issues. The audience heard from some of the best-known personalities in the business, all leaders in their chosen fields, who highlighted the importance of building partnerships to help accelerate investment-led growth within the industry.

Keynote speaker, H.E. Ahmed Shareef Alkhoori, Director General, Federal Transport-Land & Maritime, set the scene, underlining some of the positive changes being planned for the country’s maritime laws, and the proactive role the UAE is now taking in its role as an IMO Council member. He was followed by Abu Dhabi Ports chief executive, Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, who gave the second keynote presentation, urging financial institutions to work more closely in partnership with ports and shipping companies.

The main session assessed how infrastructure and asset investment can unlock trade potential after which conference delegates were treated to a special ‘up close’ question and answer interview session with Sanjay Mehta, Chairman, S One Capital, and Bibop Gresta, Chairman, Hyperloop. Other sessions assessed the future of ship finance and in particular the implications of changes in this sector for the market in Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, and also how stakeholders can support regional trade development.

After the presentations there was a networking opportunity at which attendees and panelists were able to continue discussions about issues raised during the event.

For the 2019 TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference, currently at the planning stage, a similarly high caliber list of speakers will be assembled. Based on the very positive experience of the first four events, this will be a not-to-be-missed Conference that will not only feature a chance to learn from industry experts but will provide extensive opportunities for networking as well.