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Sea Asia 2009: Cultivating the Green Shoots of the Shipping Industry Recovery

Tuesday April 21, 2009

Tuesday April 21 – Sea Asia 2009 launches in Singapore today with a show which has bucked the economic recession.

Sea Asia 2009 has surpassed all expectations in terms of its size, the number of companies and individuals attending and the breadth of international support it has been able to gather.

The Sea Asia 2009 conference and exhibition, which starts at Singapore’s Suntec City this morning,   poses the big questions: Can the global shipping industry bounce back to the level of activity it experienced over the past few years? Is there light at the end of the tunnel for the world economy and the maritime sector? Can we see the green shoots of recovery in the shipping industry?

The event has literally bucked the trend of gloom and doom now surrounding so much business activity around the world. The Guest of Honour for the event this morning is Singapore’s Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security, Prof S. Jayakumar.

The timing of this major international maritime event could not be better. After almost 12 months which have been one of the most difficult times in the long cycle of the shipping market, the time has come for reflection on where the markets stand now. Is shipping set for a long period of slow growth, dogged by over capacity and sluggish demand? Will the markets simply have to correct after a period of unprecedented exuberance?

Or is the correction necessary and is it true we are already seeing real signs of rejuvenation? Led by the mega economies of China and India, will the shipping sector continue to power ahead after taking a short pause to catch its collective breath?

As we progress into the crucial second quarter of 2009, these questions are on the whole world’s mind.

And they will be played out and discussed at Sea Asia 2009, the gathering which has quickly established itself as the leading maritime event in Asia, just two years since it was launched in 2007.Sea Asia 2009 will unite maritime industry players, and other related business leaders, from around the world to influence the direction Asian maritime economies will move in, and to discuss all opportunities for pulling the global shipping industry out of the doldrums and informing the markets about the sector’s priorities during this global financial crisis.

SMF chairman Mr SS Teo said today: “The positive response received for the show and the strong attendance for the conference speak for themselves. The Sea Asia 2009 exhibition is 60% larger than the inaugural show with 7 country pavilions. We have also successfully gathered over 68 speakers from 19 countries, participants from over 50 countries for the three-day event.

“When the world economy recovers, I am confident that the Asian powerhouses such as China and India will be among the first to bounce back and systemically stir up the global economy. Given our sound fundamentals and perseverance, pro-active government, close partnership between the private and public sectors and the experience gained from previous crisis, Singapore will be one of the first in the region to recover,” he added.

Sea Asia 2009 features a major international exhibition exceeding 4,500 net square metres – 60% up on the previous event in 2007. Co-organisers Seatrade and the SMF are encouraged by the positive response from local and global companies not only participating but, in many cases, actually boosting their presence at this year’s Sea Asia.

Seatrade Chairman Christopher Hayman said: “I am delighted that after the initial uncertainty and the shock of the collapsing markets last year, Sea Asia 2009 has come through even stronger. I would like to thank everyone who continues to support the show and believe it is the premier forum for the Asian shipowning and maritime community to come together and debate global issues which are of central importance to them.

“Sea Asia 2009 is an event which shows just how resilient the global maritime community is and that is a testament to everyone who has shown continuous support for it.”

CEOs, shipping executives and professionals from over 50 countries will be participating at Sea Asia 2009.  Close to 350 companies from the Asian region and beyond are confirmed to exhibit, presenting the latest technologies, products and services.

Of special interest at the Sea Asia 2009 exhibition will be the country pavilions in the exhibition, where visitors can learn about the maritime industries of China, Japan, Korea, Norway, Panama, Singapore and UK through representatives of equipment suppliers, shipping companies and service providers.  The China Pavilion has returned to Sea Asia 2009 with a net exhibition space of over 300 square metres which is three times bigger than its previous showing, representing a diverse range of companies and products from different provinces and areas of China.

On 23 April afternoon, Sea Asia 2009 will extend its reach beyond the maritime industry players, to the maritime students in Singapore. The Maritime Youth Day@Sea Asia is part of SMF’s outreach programme to expose maritime students to the real maritime world.  Sea Asia 2009 also provides extensive networking opportunities for participants wishing to forge new business relationships or re-establish existing ones.  Networking events include the GAC Sea Asia 2009 Golf Classic, cocktail receptions, delegate lunches in the exhibition hall and the Sea Asia 2009 Happy Hour where the signature Singapore Sling cocktail will be served by True Heritage Brew.

ENDS

ABOUT SEATRADE
For over 30 years, Seatrade has been a leading maritime publisher and international events organiser. Headaquartered in UK, Seatrade publishes Seatrade magazine and Seatrade Cruise Review plus bespoke supplements.

Seatrade’s family of conferences and exhibitions has grown in strength and number over the years.  Its signature exhibition and conference event in this region, SEA ASIA (co-organised with the Singapore Maritime Foundation), takes place once every two years.
With an increasing presence in Asia, Seatrade opened a Representative Office in Singapore in 2006.For more information about Seatrade’s evolving portfolio of publications and events, visit www.seatrade-global.com.

ABOUT SMF
The Singapore Maritime Foundation is a private sector-led organisation established to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC).

Established in 2004, the Foundation seeks to work in partnership with the different sectors of the maritime industry to advance the maritime interests of Singapore through collaborations and events.  Some of the notable projects include the inaugural collaboration with Seatrade, Sea Asia, the iconic maritime event which has received overwhelming response from the industry players, both in Singapore and overseas, the MaritimeONE (Outreach Network) an initiative that seeks to heighten awareness of the maritime industry, the maritime professionals, the exciting career opportunities and boost recruitment into this booming industry.  For details, visit www.smf.com.sg

For more information, please contact Helix Media, public relations consultants to Seatrade for SEA ASIA 2009.
Edward Ion:  +65 6294 8500
Mobile: +65 9111 6871
Email: edward.ion@helixmedia.asia
Website: www.helixmedia.asia

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