The Maritime Standard successfully relaunched its Ship Finance and Trade Conference on February 14 at the Taj Exotica Hotel in Dubai, garnering significant interest with an audience exceeding 250 attendees. This event marked the first such gathering in four years, featuring industry leaders who discussed vital shipping and finance issues as well as future prospects.
Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of TMS, opened the conference by noting its timely relevance amid geopolitical challenges that also present opportunities for mergers and acquisitions in the region. He emphasized that, while there are uncertainties, a range of exciting developments and collaborations were underway.
The keynote address was delivered by Capt. Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO of the Maritime & Shipping Cluster at AD Ports Group. He underscored the importance of collaboration, strategic planning, and adaptability as the industry navigates challenges. Capt. Al Shaiba highlighted sustainability as a driving force for a greener future in shipping, advocating for financial institutions to invest in sustainability-focused projects.
The first session, steered by Petros Doukas, focused on investing in sustainable shipping. Dr. Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of ASYAD Shipping, discussed how banks are increasingly adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in lending, highlighting financial strategies critical for retrofitting vessels to meet climate objectives. Emile Hoogsteden from SOHAR Port emphasized compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and shared insights on investments in biofuels. Other speakers, including Chris Peters from Montfort Investment, provided perspectives on evolving shipping finance trends and the growing relevance of environmental criteria.
Session Two, chaired by Chris Peters, looked into the future of ship finance. Speakers addressed financing challenges for port developments and explored how financial technologies can facilitate processes like syndications and due diligence. Ian Edwards from DNV discussed emissions regulations’ broader implications, while other experts emphasized insurers’ roles and innovative financial strategies for sustainable growth.
The third session, moderated by Ali Shehab, addressed resilience in the maritime sector. Discussions highlighted classification societies’ important role in risk mitigation and efficiency, with speakers like George Bolton from Clarkson’s DMCC analyzing the intricacies of the sale and purchase market. Presentations from industry experts explored technology’s transformative impact and the essential need for collaboration between shipping and finance sectors.
Trevor Pereira concluded the day’s activities by noting the wealth of insights from various industry experts, reaffirming the conference’s significance in the shipping calendar. The successful relaunch bodes well for future editions, with the next conference anticipated in 2025. The discussions from the event emphasized the imperative of collaboration and adaptability in navigating the complexities of the maritime industry’s future.
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