The biennial Seatrade Offshore Marine & Workboats Middle East Conference and Exhibition (SOMWME) was inaugurated today (October 5) by Abu Dhabi Ports CEO, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

The event will run until October 7, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
 
Following the official opening ceremony, Al Shamisi accompanied by senior industry figures and other dignitaries, was given a personal tour of the 220 exhibiting companies at the event, said a statement.

He was also invited to deliver the keynote presentation at the SOMWME conference, setting the tone for three days of in-depth, informative and productive dialogue, it said.

SOMWME is the region’s leading event for the workboat and offshore marine industries which will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing owners, operators and regional governments involved in the offshore marine and workboats sector with a series of dedicated conference and networking sessions examining the prospects for new commercial developments and technological innovation.

Emma Howell, head of marketing, Middle East, Seatrade, said: “This year’s showcase is spread over 4,320 sq m of exhibition space, an 11 per cent increase over 2013, featuring 220 exhibiting companies with more than 5,000 pre-registered attendees.”

“SOMWME 2015 has built on the success of the 2013 exhibition and conference, which generated $850 million in onsite orders; welcomed almost 5,000 participants (a 46 per cent increase over 2011) from 54 countries, 211 exhibiting companies and increased its floor space by 8 per cent to nearly 3,880 sq m,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service