Speakers confirmed for TMS Tanker Conference 2019

Preparations for The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference, which takes place in Dubai, at The Atlantis, the Palm, on Tuesday October 22nd this year, are rapidly gathering momentum. A top-class line-up of speakers and panellists has been confirmed, ensuring the event will fully live up to the reputation for quality built up over the past three years.

The theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Opening Up New Horizons’, reflecting the cautious optimism that now exists within the tanker industry. Conference editor, Clive Woodbridge, says, “While there are for sure some significant challenges presented by the volatile politico-economic context, market fundamentals appear more positive than they have for some time. This is creating opportunities for fleet growth and trade development in the tanker shipping business, which the event aims to explore and highlight.”

Proceedings will commence in the morning of October 22nd with two keynote speeches, by Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services, and Abdulla Bin Damithan, COO of DP World. These two eminent maritime executives will set the scene, giving their unique perspective on trends and trade patterns in the oil, products and petrochemicals trades in the region.

Adapting to fast moving market conditions will be the theme of Session 1 which will follow that. Speakers confirmed to date include Captain Anoop Kumar Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of The Shipping Corporation of India; Ali Shehab, Acting CEO of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company and Michael Jorgensen CFO, and acting CEO of Oman Shipping Company.

The importance to the tanker shipping sector of the development of support infrastructure and services in the region will be addressed in Session 2 in the afternoon. Speakers for this session include Capt. Mohammed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Ship Management, ADNOC L&S; Rajiv Agarwal, CEO and Managing Director of Essar Ports; Capt. Rado Antolovic, CEO and Managing Director of DP World - Maritime Services Division; Said Al Mawali, CEO of Oman Drydock Company; Anders Ostergard, Group CEO, Monjasa and Eng. Waleed Al Tamimi, General Manager of Tasneef.

There are a number of notable technical, legal and regulatory challenges that the tanker market has to overcome if it is to achieve sustained growth over the next few years. The third and final session of the Conference will examine such issues, with confirmed speakers to date including Kirsty Cattanach, Senior Associate at Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla; Rashid Isa Rishi Al Heddi, Group Managing Director at Seamaster Marine; Pawan Sahani, Business Development Manager, DNV GL; and Stephenson Harwood partner, Nijoe Joseph.

At the end of this session there will be a special networking drinks reception. This will offer a chance for speakers and attendees to discuss the key issues raised by proceedings in a more informal environment.

Registration for the conference is now open. Details about how to take part, and more information about the programme, can be found at: www.tmstankerconference.com