Singapore: This week's inaugural Sea Asia conference and exhibition closed on Wednesday evening after having surpassed all targets, thereby setting the stage for the show to become a major international maritime gathering.
The number of participants in Sea Asia was confirmed at more than 7,000 from 40 nations - smashing the initial forecast of co-organisers Seatrade and the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF).
This total included more than 250 exhibiting companies from 24 countries, including six national pavilions. Over 1,000 delegates attended the three days of conference sessions which covered key issues such as the Asian voice in world shipping, ship finance in Asia, the LNG markets, marine insurance and a charterers' forum.
More than 70% of the exhibitors at Sea Asia 2007 have already said they will return to exhibit at Sea Asia 2009 even though exact dates are to be confirmed. The number of attending ship owners, managers and operators from Singapore and across the region proved a clear highlight of Sea Asia.
The chairman of SMF, SS Teo, said: "I am very heartened to see the strong interest and support from overseas and local visitors at this three day event. The conference delegates were very happy with the high level of content and interactivity of the sessions .Many of our key exhibitors have given such positive feedback that I am sure that our next show in 2009 will only be bigger and better.
"I would like to thank one and all for making the inaugural Sea Asia a tremendous success," said Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade. "The show has been a revelation and is now geared to become one of the great international maritime gatherings."
Pictured: His Excellency SR Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore, flanked by Government Ministers, PSA officials and chairmen of the co-organisers, launches a confetti cascade to mark the opening of Sea Asia 2007.
One of the key successes of Sea Asia week was judged to be the number of satellite and side events which combined to produce a maritime industry buzz. A series of press conferences, social events, announcements, parties, side presentations attended by a wide cross section of the maritime industries in Asia demonstrated the show's all embracing chemistry.
For examle, The Baltic Exchange formally launched its representative office, choosing Singapore as the location of its first ever overseas office in a 250 year history.
There was also a party to mark the Standard P&I Club's 10th anniversary of the opening of the club's offices in the Republic and many other social events.
Peter Swift, managing director of INTERTANKO, a Sea Asia supporting organization, said: "We are delighted to have been a supporter of Sea Asia - it has been a major success. We look forward to actively participating in the next Sea Asia in 2009."
Exhibitor Van West-Holland, supplier of diesel engine spare parts, lauded Sea Asia as "explosive", saying "We saw exactly the right buyers and technical visitors from major potential clients. The show was so busy at times that our staff could not keep up with demand. As a result, we will be doubling the size of our presence at the next Sea Asia in 2009."
The company's sentiments were echoed by a huge number of other exhibiting companies. The Indian Registry of Shipping , Germanischer Lloyd , COSCO , Korean Register, Class NK , Busan Port Authority and ShipServ Ltd, Eurasia Ship Management, International Registries Inc, the maritime and corporate administrator for the Marshall Islands, and Lloyd's Register have all confirmed their intention to return in 2009.
"Sea Asia has exceeded our expectations. It has been extremely busy and the quality has been top notch," summed up Andy Eastdown, country manager for Lloyd's Register in Singapore. "The Asian shipping community is clearly passionate about this event."
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