The Maritime Standard is to hold a rebranded and revitalised Ship Finance and Trade Conference on February 14th at the Taj Exotica Hotel on the Palm, Dubai. Being staged after a gap of four years, the event is expected to attract over 250 delegates to hear expert speakers from the worlds of ship finance, banking, shipping, ports, terminals, ship broking, maritime law, logistics and trade facilitation, among others.
The overall theme of the conference is ‘Capitalising on opportunities for an era of sustainable growth.’ The aim is to highlight the significant changes in the financial markets relating to shipping, ports and trade that have taken place in recent times, as well as prospects for the future, particularly as industry stakeholders seek to build a platform for growth and development that aligns with green objectives.
The Maritime Standard Managing Director, Trevor Pereira, says, “Prior to the pandemic this was a very successful conference, well respected in the industry, and we are really pleased to be able to stage it once again, this time in Dubai. The timing could not be better, and attendees will benefit from hearing some top- level speakers highlight emerging opportunities and what new approaches are required in fast changing market scenarios, and uncertain geopolitical times.”
The keynote speech will be given by Capt. Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group, who will set the scene for the day’s proceedings. The following Session 1, will address the theme ‘Investing in sustainable shipping and maritime - the strategic outlook.’ Speakers confirmed for this session include Capt. Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group; Dr Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of ASYAD Shipping and Drydocks; Emil Hoogsteden, CEO, Sohar Port and Freezone; Ross Thompson, Group Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, AD Ports Group; Petros Doukas, Mayor of Sparta; President of Capital Partners and former Deputy Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Greece; and Chris Peters, Head of Sales and Purchasing, Montfort Investments.
Chris Peters will chair Session 2, which will focus on: ‘The future of ship finance - the shape of things to come.’ Leading figures from across the industry taking part in this part of the conference, include Nithin Mathur, Head of Commercial Maritime, Al Seer Marine; Bobby Varghese, Senior Vice President-Group Finance, AD Ports Group; Theo Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, Managing Director, Piraeus Office, International Registries Inc.; Dipak Karki, Business Advisor, Transportation, iLex; Ian Edwards, Director, Middle East and Africa, DNV; Bard Paulson, Divisional Director, Marine, Middle East and Africa, Gallagher Re DIFC; Nitin Mehta, Chief Operating Officer, Lila Global; and Menelaus Kouzoupis, Partner, Stephenson Harwood. Session 3, which will address the theme ‘Building resilience in the maritime landscape,’ will be no less riveting, with speakers able to provide a wide range of different perspectives. Confirmed to date are Jamil Al Ali, Middle East Regional Commercial & Business Development Director, Bureau Veritas; George Bolton, Director, Sale and Purchase, Clarkson’s DMCC; Ali Abouda, Group CFO, Gulf Navigation Holding; Tejas Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Tomini Shipping; and Nikeel Idnani, Honorary Secretary of IMarEST.
Conference Editor, Clive Woodbridge, adds, “We are delighted to have been able to assemble such a stellar line up of speakers, who have huge amounts of experience in different aspects of the shipping, maritime and finance sectors. It is sure to be a fascinating and thought-provoking day, and one that will really put this event back on the map, where it belongs.”

■ Contact: Ship Finance and Trade conference
https://tms-shipfinanceandtrade.com/