Regional port authorities have extended support to the forthcoming Ship & Port Arabia 2005, an international show focusing on opportunities and trends in the global maritime industry.

The event, designed as a mega showcase for shipbuilding, shipyards, ports, logistics, engineering and next-generation marine technologies, will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre between September 3 and 5.
Ship & Ports Arabia 2005 is being organised by Al Fajer Information and Services and supported by Dubai Ports Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Port, Abu Dhabi Port Authority, Sharjah Port Authority, Saqr Port Authority, Al Jasira Port Authority, Saudi Ports Authority and other leading ports from the region and outside of it. 
Satish Khanna, general manager, Al Fajer Information & Services, said the support of UAE port authorities added tremendous weight to the profile of international ports participating in the show.
 “We are also pleased to have the participation of Saudi Ports Authority in the show, its first ever in Dubai. Saudi Ports runs the largest ports in the Arabian Gulf and is a major link between the national and international economies,” he said.
Stressing on the role of the show, Khanna said it was a springboard for players wanting to forge new alliances and gain a toehold in a lucrative market.
A key aspect of Ship & Port Arabia 2005 are two conferences, namely ‘Dubai Ports Roundtable’ and `Dubai Shipping Conference.’ They have been organised by the Dubai Shipping Agents Association. 
Khanna noted that Ship & Port Arabia 2005 was of special significance to Dubai given the fact that Dubai Ports were already the principal gateways of re-export and redistribution to regional states.
On prospects of the UAE’s maritime industry in the global context, he said there was an upbeat mood with all major ports undergoing expansions. The UAE was benefiting from its strategic location at the crossroads of the region’s maritime sector. 
According to Khanna the buoyant state of the maritime industry was on account of the emergence of free zones that had led to the expansion and modernisation of ports and related facilities.