In the attendance of HRH Princess Sarah Al Saud, Director of Maritime Business Development International Forum for Maritime Transport and Ahmed Suhail Qatan, COO General Cargo Terminal at Port of Salalah

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 6th February 2018 – Breakbulk Middle East officially opened today with Dr. Eng. Abdulla Salem Al Kathiri, Director General of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, inaugurating the third annual conference focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the region’s project logistics and breakbulk sector.

Officially opening Breakbulk Middle East, Dr. Eng. Abdulla Salem Al Kathiri, Director General of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport, said: “Breakbulk is focused on a vital element of the transportation sector, which focuses on the movement of project cargo, something critical for oil & gas, energy and infrastructure projects across the Middle East. We are delighted to host the third annual Middle East edition of the conference here in Abu Dhabi. The UAE is one of the most developed maritime countries in the region both economically and commercially, providing an environment that has gained investor confidence and is able to support a diverse range of major business activities across the maritime sectors, in turn contributing to global confidence in the UAE economy. Our leadership believe in the importance of maritime transport as the most efficient way of delivering goods, as countries can rely heavily on them to facilitate trade and push towards prosperity. The establishment of such exhibitions in the shipping and maritime trade sectors is a very important time for us in the UAE and the region”

Commenting on this Occasion, Abdelkareem Al Masabi, Executive Vice President, Ports at Abu Dhabi Ports said:  Abu Dhabi Ports is proud to support BreakBulk Middle East for the third year in a row, an event that serves to highlight the role of the region in the field of maritime trade, as well as to equipping attendees with the latest global trends in breakbulk as well as future shaping of this specialize business sector within maritime.”

"Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates are ideally positioned on the global trade map and the country is considered to be one of the most important markets in this vital sector. Despite the challenges that the sector has faced globally and regionally, especially in recent years, we anticipate good results starting this year and in the years to come. This is due to the launch of several major infrastructural projects and continued focus on economic diversification plans in the region.” he added.

Also commenting on the opening Mohammed Jaber COO of Agility Project Logistics said “Breakbulk Middle East is the premier event of its kind in the region, bringing together leading logistics and supply chain management players from around the world. For us, it represents an opportunity to meet with our counterparts and valued stakeholders, and find opportunities for collaboration that drives value for all stakeholders. Our industry is currently witnessing a paradigm shift, due in no small part to changes in technology and the geopolitical landscape. This makes it all the more imperative for the industry to come together in order to adapt to this change. The future belongs to those who prove to be versatile and can reorient themselves towards this new reality. We believe that Breakbulk Middle East plays an important role in that and we could not be more pleased to support the region’s leading industry platform for networking and knowledge exchange.”

Ben Blamire, Commercial Director – Breakbulk Middle East said This year’s event will welcome over 70 exhibitors, 46 speakers and 2000 delegates to the exhibition, conference and seminars. We are thrilled to host the third annual conference this year and look forward to further success and development.