Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the largest breakbulk and project cargo event in the GCC, has announced the finalization of its conference agenda. Topics have been strategically selected to represent the best interests of the sector, and qualified experts have been specifically elected to headline panels. Moreover, organizers are reminding all those involved within the sector to register before the midnight deadline on the 22nd of February, as to avoid delays at check-in on opening day. A multitude of reputable industry speakers have been secured to spark timely discussions that forward the sector.

The two-day conference and exhibition taking place from the 25th – 26th of February, will once again be held under the patronage of  Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority (FTA) for Land and Maritime. Additionally, the event will maintain its venue of the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE, and take place in Za’abeel Hall 5 at 10:00am.

To ensure key decision makers can share and implement a joint vision towards prosperity, this year’s event includes a governmental panel titled ‘Regional Outlook and Growth Opportunities for the Breakbulk Industry.’ The session is timely with major carriers and freight forwarders reporting upswings in demand for specialist freight handling services in the Gulf States and the wider Middle Eastern region.

 Al Nuaimi commented, “A wide-range of large-scale projects and investments are taking place within the Middle East. This pertains to oil and gas projects, increased interest in renewable energy and major infrastructure projects. In essence, cargo carrying contract opportunities are poised to keep rising throughout the region and this is highly beneficial for the UAE and entire GCC. Breakbulk Middle East provides an effective platform for industry leaders to align their objectives accordingly.”

The governmental panel is the first of its kind with topical issues like the Belt and Road initiative set to be among the subject matter discussed. Senior government officials from the region will address upcoming project opportunities to enhance the region’s capabilities and in turn, the collective breakbulk industry.

Eng.Hessa Al Malek, Executive Director of the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime UAE, will also be a member of the esteemed panel. Al Malek stated, “A number of factors will contribute in shaping the regional infrastructure for decades to come, and this means strategic planning and prioritization of tasks is crucial to maintain economic prosperity. With various projects in the pipeline, understanding the effect that this will have on the industry going forward is of the utmost importance. Breakbulk Middle East will aid in enabling dialogue that provides such clarity for the UAE, and extended Middle East.”

Last year’s participation included 3400 attendees and 1700 companies. This reflected an 83% increase in attendance from the year prior. Moreover, it marked the fourth consecutive year in which BBME grew from its previous edition. Despite registration remaining open until the event commences, the upcoming fifth edition is already on pace to shatter these numbers.

Ben Blamire, Event Director of Breakbulk Middle East said, “It’s been very promising to see an increase in online registration thus far. There are a lot of new international exhibitors from the UAE, wider Middle East and even towards Europe and the United States. With topics like IMO 2020 and the emerging market of Africa set to be discussed, this global interest and participation will be vital in forwarding the sector.”

Leslie Meredith, Marketing Director of Breakbulk Events & Media added, “It is an exciting time as we inch closer towards the kickoff of the event’s fifth edition. We have undergone an extensive process to ensure each panel was meticulously thought out, and to confirm that the corresponding speakers were equally suitable. With the agenda having been officially finalized, we are confident that the event is orchestrated to effectively yield industry advancing results.”

Meredith concluded, “The door for registration for the fifth edition is open, and we welcome all industry leaders and experts to join us by registering through our official platforms.”

Breakbulk events are held in four locations around the world and are the leading industry-specific exhibition in each region. Due to strong gatekeeping systems with companies in the Middle East, Breakbulk Middle East is one of the only ways to make direct connections with logistics and procurement decision makers, assured by its deepening ties with local government. More than an exhibition, Breakbulk Middle East offers a full two-day conference, covering the hot topics project cargo specialists need to know to seize regional opportunities and construct effective project plans. Led by the key players in the region, the conference also offers face-to-face opportunities to discuss these topics in greater depth. With strong support from regional cargo owners, Breakbulk Middle East is the place for logistics, transport and other service providers to connect with those that hold new business contracts.