POSIDONIA 2010 ATTRACTS STRONG OFFSHORE SERVICE PROVIDERS CONTINGENT

Business for niche ship yards catering to the off shore oil & gas industry remains brisk despite the global downturn thanks to strong hydrocarbon demand and sustained high prices of the black stuff according to Nana Michael, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions, the organiser of the world’s most prestigious shipping forum.   

A number of these niche operators from the Middle East and other regions will be among the estimated 1,700 participants of the 22nd edition of Posidonia, which will be held at Athens’ Hellenikon Exhibition Centre from June 7-11.

“As fossil fuel continues to be the dominant driver of energy generation, specialist shipping sectors involved in the exploration, production and transportation of oil and gas are well positioned to emerge from the recession unscathed and kick start a raft of growth opportunities for the entire shipping industry,” said Michael.

“Posidonia 2010 will host a number of these players who are usually based in the hydrocarbon-rich regions of the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico,” she said. “Their services and expertise is highly sought after and the global nature of shipping means that their market is the whole world.”

Saudi Arabia’s Zamil Offshore Services is one of the specialists off shore and marine services providers who will be exhibiting at Posidonia 2010 this summer in an effort to identify appropriate growth opportunities. With an impressive new building order book including seven Rolls Royce UT 722-2 AHTS vessels, one Buoy Handling vessel and three harbor service tugs for the Saudi Seaports Authorities, two tugs for Saudi Royal Navy and one diving support vessel for a private Saudi owner, the company is the Middle East’s largest of its kind.
 
“With our dedicated yard, we are the premier and only shipbuilder in Saudi Arabia and the only offshore rig-repairer in the Kingdom, said the company’s spokesman Dr Hassan Abouraya, Consultant Engineer.

“Being the largest offshore services provider in the Middle East, with over three decades of experience, we are confident that we are prepared to diversify internationally with other partners.

“It is time for expansion globally. We are considering partnerships, alliances and joint ventures with companies in Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and the Far East. We expect that our presence at Posidonia will give us a good opportunity to meet with many international exhibitors and visitors and hopefully identify appropriate partners,” said Dr Hassan Abouraya.

Zamil Offshore Services was founded in 1977 as a 100% Saudi Company working in diversified business fields covering offshore marine services, ship chandelling, ship chartering, offshore hook-up projects, offshore shipbuilding, ship & rig repair and sea ports operation and management.

Zamil offshore owns and operates the largest specialized offshore fleet in the region, with most vessels on long-term charter to Saudi ARAMCO, and few to companies in Qatar and the UAE.

Other Middle Eastern companies who have already confirmed their participation at this year’s Posidonia include the UAE’s Drydocks World, Topaz Marine Repair, Emirates Environmental Protection, the Department of Seaports & Customs Sharjah, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and Oman’s Dry Dock Company.

Some 20,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the exhibition according to organisers’ early estimates, breaking the previous record set in 2008. This number is likely to grow as the world is emerging from the recession with many of them expected to focus on three key growth areas, shipbuilding, ship equipment and service industries. Organisers also expect to welcome more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries.

Visitors and exhibitors will also benefit from the week-long Posidonia sports festival which this year will see the 5th anniversary edition of the Lloyds Register-sponsored Posidonia Cup sailing race, the 2nd Posidonia ShipSoccer Tournament, sponsored by Castrol Marine, and the eagerly awaited inaugural Posidonia Golf Tournament.
Posidonia 2010 is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies and the Union of Marine Enterprises.

For additional information, press enquiries should be directed to:

Stavi Spanou, Press Officer, tel.: +30 210 9609738, e-mail: press@posidonia-events.com
Theodore Vokos, Project Manager, tel.: +30 210 4283608, e-mail: tnv@posidonia-events.com