Top class panel of speakers assembled at TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference

The second annual The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi on November 14th. The theme of this year’s conference is “Beating the downturn; investing to be ready for the upturn.” A top class panel of speakers has been assembled to address some of the key issues facing the industry as it seeks to chart a course for long term recovery. The conference sessions will deal with a number of themes, including regional trade patterns, ship finance and ports and shipping.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Salem Alkatheeri, Director General, Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime will kick start the conference with the keynote address.

Session 1 will cover the challenges and opportunities in the ever changing global politico-economic context. Speakers during this session are Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports; Ali Shehab, Deputy CEO, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC); Khamis Juma Buamim, Managing Director & Group CEO, Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC; Eng. Yasser Nasr Zagholoul, CEO, National Marine Dredging Company; Eng. Rashed Al Hebsi, CEO, Emirates Classification (TASNEEF); Andrew Baird, Partner, Partner, Watson Farley & Williams and Sanjay Mehta, Chairman
S One Capital.

Session 2 will be chaired by Jesper Kjaedegaard, Partner, Mercator International, this session will cover the developing strategies-preparing for the future. Speaking at this session are Rajiv Agarwal, CEO & MD, Essar Ports Ltd.; Anders Kron, Commercial Manager Middle East, Sohar Port & Freezone; Thomas Kriwat, CEO, Mercmarine Group of Companies; Chris Peters, CFO, Emirates Ship Investment Company LLC; Ziad Touma, Partner, Fichte & Co.

The topic for Session 3 is developing the right financial tools for the changing market, speakers are Marcus Machin, Director, Tufton Oceanic (Middle East) Limited; Vasudev Amoncar, Unit Head – Int’l Lending, Corporate Banking, Burgan Bank Group; Bora Bariman, Head of Energy & Marine, National Bank of Fujairah; Jacob Berman, Managing Director, Standard Chartered and Vengopal Venkatesh, CFO, Oman Shipping Company.

Trevor Pereira, The Maritime Standard managing director, says, “We want to focus on how to turn financial theory into shipping and trade reality, and provide a high-level forum that through insightful speeches and networking opportunities generates mutual benefit to finance and shipping companies.” He adds, “This is going to be a hugely important event that will bring together some of the most influential players in shipping, finance and port operations. The world will want to hear what they have to say, and already demand for conference places is exceeding all expectations.”

Based on the very positive experience of the inaugural event, which was hailed as a major triumph, by attendees and speakers alike, the conference will be extremely high profile and informative, with extensive opportunities for networking. Spaces at the event are strictly limited, to assure yourself of a place book now here

For more details visit http://www.tms-shipfinanceandtrade.com




Editor’s Note: About The Maritime Standard

The Maritime Standard (TMS) publishes a regular e-newsletter aimed specifically at the shipping and maritime community. It is delivered fortnightly, on the 1st and 15th of every month, and has built up a circulation of more than 40,000 recipients. The newsletter includes up-to-date news and analysis from the shipping and ports industries and related sectors in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. Topics that are covered include tanker, container, dry and liquid bulk, ro-ro, and cruise shipping; terminal operations; port development; classification; ship repair and conversion; shipbuilding; ship agency; finance and insurance; maritime law; and transportation & logistics. The publishing portfolio will be expanded in 2016 with the publication of the first TMS magazine, focusing on the UAE. This will be a yearbook style publication that will give in-depth analysis and reports on key developments in the country’s maritime sector
Another division of parent Flagship Events, The Maritime Standard Events focuses specifically on the requirements of the shipping and maritime sector. The company organises a series of industry-leading events across the Middle East, including conferences and exhibitions. It also organises events for third parties in the shipping and ports business.


The not-to-be-missed TMS Awards recognizes and celebrates success in the shipping, ports and related sectors across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards are held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman, Emirates Airlines and Group. The inaugural event was held at the iconic Atlantis Ballroom, on The Palm with PR guru, journalist and writer Alastair Campbell as master of ceremonies. One of the most famous football players of all time, Ruud Gullit hosted The Maritime Standard Awards in 2015. The 2015 Awards were attended by over 600 guests from across the world, including senior figures from ports and shipping companies and public bodies in the region. As well as over 19 general awards categories, the TMS team presents a number of individual special achievement awards recognizing the contributions made by high profile industry leaders and innovators. The Awards attract the region’s elite, including chairmen, chief executives and directors from all of the leading shipping companies, ports, terminal operators and maritime companies and organizations. The Master of Ceremonies for the 2016 Awards will be former Awards winning CNN Anchor, Jim Clancy.

The inaugural The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference will take place on 25th October this year in Dubai and is an event that nobody with an involvement in this important sector of the shipping industry will want to miss. Aimed at key decision makers and opinion formers, the one day conference will highlight the main regional trends in crude, chemical and products tanker operations.
Attendees will be given a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, not just for tanker owners and operators, but those who provide services to this sector. You will leave the conference with a clear idea as to how you and your company can support, and benefit from, regional growth opportunities.

The first Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade conference was held in Abu Dhabi on November 26th 2015 at the Park Hyatt. This was attended by a high level panel of speakers and over 150 senior executives from across the Middle East, India and Europe. Hosted by Abu Dhabi Ports, the event boasted one of the highest ranked panel of speakers which read like a ‘who’s who’ of the region’s shipping and ports industry. The audience were treated to some detailed, expert presentations on the challenges facing the industry by these executives who were joined on stage by representatives of several leading banks and law firms.