Biennial event ins+tutes new ini+a+ves at exhibi+on and conference to meet present-day
SINGAPORE – Asia Pacific Mari-me (APM), Asia’s premier shipbuilding & marine, workboat and offshore exhibi-on and conference, was officially launched this morning by Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Health, Singapore.
In conjunc-on with its 15th edi-on, APM has injected new elements at the exhibi-on and conference to ensure that mari-me businesses are well-equipped to take advantage of the an-cipated upswing. Newly introduced ini-a-ves include the APM Leaders’ Forum, Thema-c Networking Events, Career & Skills Pavilion, and APM Recommenda-on Tool.
Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director, Reed Exhibi-ons said, “Asia remains one of the fast-growing regions in the world, which bodes well for the mari-me industry’s long-term prospects. For over three decades, APM has rode through mul-ple cycles with industry players. This year, as mari-me businesses look forward to an upward cycle supported by posi-ve indicators in the industry and global economy, APM presents a comprehensive exhibi-on showcase and conference programme to posi-on delegates well for the changing -de.”
Comprehensive exhibi+on to meet needs across mari+me value chain
At the three-day exhibi-on, more than 1,500 brands from 60 countries will be represented at over 640 booths. With a wide range of products and technologies showcased, APM will serve as a one- stop pla_orm for more than 15,000 trade visitors from around Asia, as they seek the appropriate solu-ons for their business needs.
To maximise exposure of their latest products, various industry players have launched new offerings at APM. These include AMOS Interna+onal (S) Pte Ltd (a new ALCONA brand for crews at sea, which includes CrewGear and Essen-als), Garmin Corpora+on (10-inch and 12-inch AQUAMAP® keyed GPS Chartploeer/Fishfinder/Radar mul-func-on display), Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd (industrial spark plugs and marine baeeries), Siemens (gas engine marine series) and Ulstein Group (cruise vessels with X-BOW hull lines).
The exhibi-on also features strong interna-onal representa-on with 18 official pavilions from Austria, Australia, China, Denmark, Finland, France, German, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan Shipbuilding Industry Associa-on (TSIA), The Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Knowledge-building and networking opportuni-es are high on APM’s agenda, with six new thema-c networking sessions. Curated for different segments of the industry, these events will also see domain experts share insights and uncover important trends.
Topics include marine equipment and filng, the new global sulphur cap, ICT and digitalisa-on, as well as lubricants, coa-ngs and corrosion, which will be broached by the likes of Douglas RaiU, Lloyd’s Register Asia, Regional Consultancy Manager; Jack Brabban, Fleet Management, Chembulk, Vice President; Lionel Steinitz, YS Energy, Chief Execu-ve Officer; and Morten Lind-Olsen, Dualog, Chief Execu-ve Officer.
The inaugural Career and Skills Pavilion will also be a pla_orm for knowledge exchange and securing opportuni-es – while experts expound on talent-related topics at more than 10 presenta-ons, human capital, recruitment agencies, talent management and training & development organisa-ons will provide guidance to professionals seeking career or upskilling opportuni-es.
Beyond events that facilitate the right alliances, APM 2018 also sees the introduc-on of the APM Recommenda-on Tool. Taking into considera-on individual visitor interests and business objec-ves, the tool provides recommenda-ons on the most relevant companies to meet, thus helping visitors navigate the exhibi-on and maximise their -me effec-vely according to their unique business needs. The pla_orm comes amid growing emphasis on innova-on, digitalisa-on and big data, and is a first of its kind within the mari-me exhibi-ons industry.
Industry veterans to shed per+nent insight at the APM conference
To celebrate its 15th edi-on, APM 2018 sees the introduc-on of the APM Leaders’ Forum (14 March), which will kickstart the three-day conference. Industry leaders such as Carmelita Hartoto, Chairwoman, Indonesian Na-onal Shipowners' Associa-on (INSA) & Vice-Chairman of Transporta-on, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN); Ed Stening, Chief Digital Officer Asia, CMA-CGM; KD Adamson, Futurist & Chief Execu-ve Officer, Futurenau-cs Group; Kenneth Lim, Chief Technology Officer, Mari-me Port Authority; and Capt. Michael Elwert, Group Chief Execu-ve Officer of Elektrans will discuss pressing issues such as the 2018 outlook, digitalisa-on and women talent in mari-me.
Also happening on the same day is the Workboat Conference (14 March), which will delve into the future of the workboat sector, its opera-ons, vessel and equipment requirements, and likely disrup-ons. Amid chaeer about autonomous shipping, Oskar Levander, Senior Vice-President of Concepts & Innova-on, Digital & Systems at Rolls-Royce will deliver a keynote en-tled “An autonomous mari-me future? Unmanned workboats are here - where to next?”.
The next day (15 March), a spotlight will be placed on the outlook of the tanker market, mari-me finance – in view of the decline of European banks and the rise of Asian counterparts – as well as Vietnam’s poten-al as a mari-me na-on.
Delegates of the conference sessions on Day 3 (16 March) will peer into the days to come, as notable names in the industry discuss the future of marine fuels, hybrid mari-me and the offshore sector.
And with Asia Pacific now holding its posi-on as the world’s second largest cruise market by capacity, APM will also host a Cruise Seminar that will introduce the latest technologies for the industry and discuss the expecta-ons of cruise ship owners.
Co-located with APM are other knowledge-sharing pla_orms. These include the IBIA (Interna-onal Bunker Industry Associa-on) Asia Bunker Symposium; Digital Ship's Mari-me Cyber Resilience Forum where cybersecurity will be top of mind; Intellectual Property (IP) Management and Enforcement in the Mari-me Industry, which will deep dive into IP issues and strategies to protect against risks.
