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Inaugural Sea Asia Conference to Address “Asian Voice in World Shipping”
The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and its partner, Seatrade today unveiled a comprehensive lineup of opening-day conference topics for the upcoming Sea Asia 2007 conference and exhibition.
Themed around “The Asian Voice of World Shipping”, confirmed topics will address issues such as:
- Supply and demand in all segments of the global shipping market
- Newbuilding prices and greater competition between shipyards
- The effect of supersizing of containerships on the pattern of box ship trades
- Financing options for Asian shipowners
- Staffing and manpower training issues
- The need for a stronger Asian voice
Full synopses of the topics are included in the Appendix.
To be chaired by Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, the conference will be graced by a distinguished panel of luminaries from the shipping industry comprising:
- DOUGLAS HSU, Chairman, U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation and Group Chairman, Far Eastern Group, Taiwan
- JONG-CHUL LEE, President & CEO, STX PanOcean, Korea
- YUDHISHTHIR KHATAU, Managing Director, Varun Shipping Company Ltd, India and President, Indian National Shipowners’ Association
- ANDREAS SOHMEN PAO, Managing Director, BW Shipping, Singapore
- S S TEO, Managing Director, Pacific International Lines, Singapore
- FREDERICK TSAO, Chairman, IMC Shipping Co Pte Ltd, Singapore
SUN JIA KANG, Managing Director of COSCO Container Lines, and TAKAO MANJI, Senior Managing Director of NYK Line, will deliver keynote addresses during the three-day conference.
“Rising Asian shipowners are among the most dynamic and fast-moving players in the global maritime industry today. The fact that the inaugural Sea Asia has attracted a stellar lineup of luminaries points to the fact that the age of Asian shipping is well and truly underway. Sea Asia represents a timely and ideal platform for shipping companies in this part of the world to provide a united Asian voice within the global shipping community,” said Mr Choo, who is also a Board of Director of SMF.
International maritime publisher and event organiser, Seatrade reports that as of today, Sea Asia 2007 will occupy 6,000 sq m of gross space at Suntec Singapore. About 250 exhibiting companies have committed their presence at standalone booths or national pavilions for China, Korea, Norway, the UK and Singapore. In addition, about 72 speakers from over a dozen international maritime centres will attend the three-day event beginning April 2.
Press Contacts
Singapore Maritime Foundation
Vivien Teo
Manager (Communications)
DID: 6325-0219
Email: vivien@sgmf.com.sg
Mileage Communications Pte Ltd
Patsy Phay / Steven Ng / Jolin Tan
Tel: 6222-1678
Email: patsy@mileage.com.sg / steven@mileage.com.sg / jolin@mileage.com.sg
Appendix
Full synopses of Sea Asia conference topics
1. Given the size and nature of the current order book, are all segments of the shipping market facing a global mismatch between supply and demand, or will the dynamism of the Asian economies and the phase-out of single hull tankers keep the market in balance?
2. With long order books and strong demand from cash rich owners, will newbuilding prices remain at current record levels for a further period, or will the expansion of capacity and therefore greater competition between yards show through in a softening of the market for new ships, and if so when?
3. What will be the effect of the super-sizing of containerships on the pattern of box ship trades, both inter-continental and intra-Asian? How will the US$5 billion expansion of the Panama Canal influence liner shipping?
4. Finance for shipping. What are the respective merits of the options available to Asian shipowners?
5. Is there a shortage of quality ships' crew and is the existing capacity for manpower training adequate to meet the needs of an expanding industry?
6. The sheer size and scope of Asia's maritime sector is not yet matched by its influence in international maritime affairs. Does Asia need a stronger voice and if so, how should it be projected, and what should it be saying about the challenges that the global industry faces in terms of safety, the environment and image? How can the Asian governments be more responsive to the needs of shipowners? The image of the shipping industry in Asia.
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