One of the world’s leading maritime exhibitions, Rotterdam-based Europort has become the official and exclusive international partner of the 18th Marine Industries Conference and Iran International Maritime and Offshore Technologies Exhibition. Based on combining the blueprint of IRANIMEX and the international expertise Europort provides, from 2016 onward the exhibition will be branded as “IRANIMEX powered by Europort”.
According to a report published on allaboutshipping.co.uk, attendance numbers are surging at IRANIMEX 2016, as the lifting of sanctions against Iran opens up significant opportunities for global maritime and offshore interests in one of the Middle East’s largest markets.
IRANIMEX is already shaping up to be a huge success in 2016, with over 250 companies having confirmed participation to date. The event takes place on Kish Island, a free trade zone and tourist hub in south Iran, from October 18th to 21.
Almost 100 high profile overseas companies have signed up to exhibit so far, underlining the huge potential identified for new and renewed business ties with Iran by the global shipping and offshore industry. The list of international participants includes shipbuilders, repairers and technology suppliers from the Netherlands, UK, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Singapore, UAE, India and China, among others.
The exhibitor list also features the leading maritime organizations from Iran, including Arvandan Shipbuilding, shipbuilder and repair yard Iran Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Complex Co (ISOICO), Iran Marine industrial Company SADRA, vessel operator IRISL and port manager Tidewater Marine. In total more than 350 exhibitors are expected to participate in the event.
The Damen Shipyard Group has a proven record of building workboats, offshore support vessels, dredgers and other craft from a network of yards worldwide. Commenting on the Dutch company’s participation, Damen Chief Executive Rene Berkvens, says: “Damen has a long history of working with Iran and we feel that that country has a bright future ahead. We are very much looking forward to continuing to do business with Iran and to working with the Iranian people in the development of the opportunities they have.”
Asian Input
Strong participation is also expected from Asia. The governments of Iran and Singapore signed a bilateral trade agreement earlier this year, and Singapore-based turbocharger maintenance services company Tru-Marine will be present at IRANIMEX2016 with the aim of expanding its workload with Iranian shipyards, in lines with plans to expand the Iranian fleet.
David Loke, Tru-Marine Founder and Group Managing Director, says: “With our longstanding credentials in turbocharger maintenance, repair, and reclamation, we are poised to add value as a key technical partner in Iran’s development of turbocharger capabilities and technologies. We are looking forward to supporting Iran’s shipbuilding and repair cluster and helping it become one of the country’s pillars for future growth.”
Raymond Siliakus, Exhibition Manager, Europort, says: “Iran now has access to billions of dollars of funds previously frozen in foreign accounts and there is an eagerness to undertake international business once again. This is sure to be one of the fastest growing markets in the world for the next few years.”
“There is an urgent demand in Iran for maritime and offshore equipment and technology solutions from abroad,” Siliakus concludes. “This is a not-to-be-missed and perfectly timed opportunity for companies to establish or re-establish business links in one of the maritime industry’s most promising growth markets.”
