The busy industry-centered week launched with the Maritime Government Leaders Roundtable. Unni Nair, ABS Manager of Regional Business Development, joined industry leaders, policymakers and experts from key government and private sector organizations during the roundtable event, discussing the strategic importance of the maritime industry in the UAE and the Middle East.

The roundtable’s theme was “The Roadmap for Unlocking Maritime Sustainable Opportunities,” and participants identified critical issues facing the sector, stressing the latest trends, technologies and innovations shaping the industry’s future. It also underscored the need for Public-Private Partnerships, industry-wide collaborations and innovation to drive the sector’s sustainable growth and development.

Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President of Global Business Development, delivered the International Industry keynote address on the first day of Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East (SMLME). He shared that regulators face a challenging landscape but emphasized the market’s need for clear guidance. He also highlighted the UAE’s role in the decarbonization debate as Dubai is set to host COP 28 later this year.

On the second day of SMLME, Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President of Global Sustainability, joined a panel to discuss alternative fuels and carbon pricing. Koutsourakis said that while fossil fuels continue to play a major role in the industry, fuel efficiency is increasing, and new fuels are on the horizon.

On the third day of SMLME, Matthew Tremblay, ABS Vice President of Global Offshore, participated in a panel at the Offshore Marine and Workboats Forum. The discussion focused on the offshore support vessel market and evaluating its current demand-supply dynamics. After an unprecedented downturn, demand is now outpacing supply and is expected to for the foreseeable future.

In celebration of the International Day for Women in Maritime, Rania Al Shamekh, ABS Regional Marketing & Communications Lead, joined the Women in Maritime Business Excellence Roundtable. Among the discussion topics were the tools available to address the maritime industry’s gender imbalance, education, knowledge and ‘doing your best.’

Under the umbrella of UAE Maritime Week, the Emirates Shipping Association hosted the Maritime Future Dialogues, the week’s final event. Stamatis Fradelos, ABS Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, joined a panel discussion on reinforcing the UAE maritime industry as a world-class sector.