Top shippers, carriers and heavy transport specialists will hold discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the global and regional project cargo sector at the Breakbulk Middle East to be held in February, in Dubai, UAE.

The event, an annual conference and exhibition that gathers key industry figures and experts from around the world to converge and share innovative ideas, is all set for its fourth edition to take place on February 11 and 12, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The yearly platform provides an interactive platform to connect and network with shippers, carriers and heavy transport specialists; generating informed discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the global and regional project cargo sector.

Held under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and the chairman of Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime, and hosted by UAE-based global marine terminal operator DP World, the event plays a pivotal role in aiding collaborations and partnerships across the sector, fuelling growth opportunities worldwide.

With the Expo 2020 drawing closer and the increased demand for project cargo, this conference is one of its kind in the region and the world, continuing to add imperative value to discussions and ideas.

Al Nuaimi said: “Breakbulk is an event that takes place globally but the Middle East edition is exceptional; supported tremendously by government authorities and international companies.”

“This is a very significant time for the maritime industry and Breakbulk Middle East will serve to shape the future of the sector through exchange of valuable ideas,” he added.

Engineer Ahmed Al Khouri, director general of the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport, added: “The event serves to endorse our efforts geared towards actively supporting the UAE Vision 2021, providing opportunities for improved infrastructure development of land and maritime transport.”

Al Khouri added: “The UAE is ranked in the top 20 countries for container port traffic. It occupies a prime position, located in the heart of the Gulf, which has enabled it to acquire the largest share of total container and cargo movement in the region at 60 per cent.”

“Attracting participants from more than 52 countries, the event is an ideal platform to focus on big infrastructure development, major projects in the cargo sector and global compliance,” he added.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The hosting of the event comes at an important time as maritime shipping is expected to grow rapidly in the upcoming years owing to the great demands of many mega projects being developed in the region.”

“With maritime trade accounting for about 90 per cent of the total globe trading, this sector needs huge investments to help provide out of the box solutions and world-class technologies helping boost efficiency whilst ensuring smoother, safer and faster services for maritime customer and shipping lines,” he said.