Experts to discuss ME supply chain dynamics

Dubai, August 13, 2012

Senior executives from the logistics industry will assess how new trade with China, India, Africa and growth of petrochemical exports will change the game for Middle East container supply chains at an upcoming summit in Dubai.

The second TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East conference is taking place from October 1 to 3 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Held under the patronage of Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, and with DP World as host sponsor, the 2nd TOC CSC Middle East brings together cargo owners, logistics providers, ocean carriers, port and terminal operators and other container supply chain stakeholders to examine the key issues and challenges in this fast growing region.

Mohammed Esa, CEO Dubai and senior vice president UAE, Oman & Bahrain for global logistics major Agility will participate in the opening plenary session, analysing the Middle East’s growing trade with Asia and what it means for regional shippers and logistics companies.

Asia-Middle East trade looks set to overtake the historically important transatlantic trade in the next few years. The plenary session will outline the scale of container cargo development and flows across the Middle East Gulf over the coming years.

Within the GCC, massive investments are being undertaken across all sectors from telecoms to health care as nations diversify their formerly oil-dependent economies.

Oil still plays a hugely important role - except today the focus is on multi-billion dollar petrochemical refining projects as sophisticated process industries migrate from their previous hubs in Western Europe.

Burgeoning exports from GCC countries have been underpinned by the increased containerisation of petrochemical cargo.

A suggested 50 per cent rise in exports by 2015 could mean an additional two million TEU volume growth. And it’s not just petrochemicals – new forms of aluminium products are also playing their part to drive container exports.

“TOC CSC Middle East 2012 takes place at a highly significant time for the economies of the Middle East and neighbouring regions,” said Neil Madden, conference editor for TOC Worldwide.

“Although partially affected by the downturn in Western Europe and North America, the Middle East’s and Africa’s growing integration with global trading patterns means that both regions have benefited from the still robust economic performance of other emerging markets - from China, through India and Turkey, to South America.

“This all implies significant shifts in the direction and nature of trade with the rest of the world, as business with OECD countries is rapidly supplanted by emerging markets. India and China in particular are presenting the GCC with substantial opportunities, driving the region’s ports to expand capacity both for their own trade needs and also to develop as regional supply chain hubs,” he added.

Day Two of TOC CSC Middle East drills down into shipper supply chains to view how this economic transformation plays out in day-to-day logistics processes.

“This year’s conference will also address prospects presented by Africa’s reinsertion into the global trade arena,” added Madden. “Fuelled by BRICs demand for Africa’s vast mineral resources, major investments are taking place across the continent to provide modern maritime connections with entire global economy.”

TOC Container Supply Chain Middle East includes a two-day high-level container supply chain conference, free-to-attend port operations and technology seminars, exhibition of port and terminal services, equipment and technology, and industry networking receptions. – TradeArabia News Service

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