Sea Asia 2009 launched

Singapore: Sea Asia 2009, the region's leading maritime conference and exhibition, returns to Singapore's Suntec City Convention Centre from 21-23 April 2009. And for the first time it will take place as part of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Maritime Week, it was announced at the official launch yesterday.

Theme of Sea Asia 2009, co-organised by he Singapore Maritime Foundation and Seatrade, is 'The Asian Voice in World Shipping - Clearer and Stronger.'

Chairman of the SMF, SS Teo, is backing the Asian Voice in World Shipping movement. "Top Asian shipowners and leading maritime operators will congregate in Singapore for Sea Asia 2009 (and) will share insights of the maritime issues pertinent to this region to develop the voice of Asian shipping," said Mr Teo. "The event epitomizes the unity and professionalism of the Singapore maritime community, both government and the private sector, in presenting an international maritime event of world-class standing."

BG(NS) Tay Lim Heng, MPA's chief executive said: "The MPA is pleased to support Sea Asia 2009. The MPA will organise the annual Singapore Maritime Week in April 2009 with Sea Asia as an anchor event. We envisage that the bringing together of both events will enhance the overall participant value and experience of the maritime community gathering in Singapore. Collectively, the host of conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events contributes to Singapore's development as an International Maritime Centre."

The first session on the morning of Tuesday, 21 April - The Asian Voice in World Shipping - Container Shipping & Logistics - will include leading players from a cross section of the industry in Asia to discuss the global and regional container market outlook. The session will be chaired by Teo, also md of Pacific International Lines and president of the Singapore Shipping Association.

Confirmed speakers for the session include: Hiroyuki Maekawa, president, Japan Shipowners' Association and president & ceo of "K" Line; Jesper Praestensgaard, chief executive, Asia Pacific, Maersk Line; Kuah Boon Wee, ceo, Southeast Asia & Singapore Terminals, PSA International; and Randy Chen, special assistant to the President, Wan Hai Lines.

The second session in the afternoon - The Asian Voice in World Shipping - Bulk Markets will focus on the dry and liquid bulk markets and the outlook for the industry going forward and will be chaired by Andreas Sohmen-Pao, managing director, BW Shipping. Confirmed speakers include: Lee Jeong-Hwa, ceo, S K Shipping and Kenneth Koo, group chairman & ceo, Tai Chong Cheang Steamship Co (HK).

Other sessions will examine Ship Finance, Shipbuilding, Technical issues relating to Marpol Annex VI, Ballast Water as well as Conversion & Refurbishment, Manning and Crewing, Marine Insurance, LNG Shipping (organised in association with SIGTTO), and the Charterers' Forum.

The Sea Asia 2009 exhibition is expected to boast an expanded show size of 11,000 square metres in gross exhibition space to house more than 350 exhibitors and at least 10 national pavilions including those from Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, and Norway. International brand names like PSA, Keppel, Sembcorp Marine, ABB, Wartsila as well as major classification societies and shipyards from China, Korea, Malaysia and the Middle East already feature among the list of exhibitors.

A number of social events will be held during the 3-day gathering including the GAC Sea Asia Golf Classic 2009 on the afternoon of Monday 20 April at Raffles Country Club; the Speakers' Dinner sponsored by PSA Corporation also on 20 April; and on Wednesday 22 April, Keppel Offshore & Marine will host the official Sea Asia 2009 reception in the exhibition hall at Suntec, Singapore. [12/06/08]

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