ABS demonstrated its commitment to the Saudi maritime industry during the recent Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress at the Dhahran Expo in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The event showcased the potential of Saudi Arabia as a burgeoning hub for the maritime sector as it undergoes transformative changes under the Vision 2030 initiative.

With a heritage in Saudi Arabia dating back five decades, ABS remains a trusted partner in the region, continually expanding its presence and capabilities to support the country’s goal of becoming a global maritime leader. Representing ABS at the event was Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President of Global Engineering, who had a busy role during the week’s activities.

Before the official launch of the Saudi Maritime Congress, Gareth and the ABS Middle East Business Development team visited the International Maritime Industries to gain insights into the region’s evolving maritime landscape.

Gareth delivered an industry keynote at the congress, emphasizing the significance of Saudi Arabia’s maritime history and its pivotal role in the global maritime network.

During his keynote address, Gareth highlighted how Vision 2030 serves as a roadmap to support Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader with a focus on sustainability, technology, and skills development. He discussed key industry transitions, including trends in vessel construction, offshore drilling, and the growing emphasis on decarbonization through initiatives like reducing carbon emissions and exploring clean energy sources such as hydrogen.

Gareth also participated in a panel discussion on offshore safety, stressing the importance of maintaining world-class safety standards amidst the industry’s rapid growth. The discussions delved into integrating safety practices into offshore operations, addressing new challenges posed by the internet of things (IoT) and digitalization, and emphasizing the need for continuous safety enhancements.

Additionally, ABS signed a Joint Development Project Agreement (JDP) with High Seas Marine on Remote Survey Technologies during the event, underscoring ABS’ commitment to innovation and technological advancement in the maritime sector. Gareth, alongside Ahmed Al Tamimi, Chairman of High Seas Marine, formalized the agreement, signalling a strategic partnership to drive advancements in remote survey technologies.

Furthermore, Gareth spoke to Seatrade Maritime News, offering insights into ABS’ activities in Saudi Arabia and highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to support the maritime industry’s growth and sustainability goals in the region.