Seatrade Maritime Middle East Virtual 2020 (SMMEV), the region’s leading event in the shipping industry, is set to take place virtually from 14-16 December 2020 with its live event confirmed for late 2021. The international event, directed at supporting the maritime industry in the Middle East has achieved a great reputation in the region as a platform that offers opportunities for all sectors of the maritime industry. This year, considering the disruption in the market, SMMEV will act as a hub where industry professionals will converge to discuss the recovery and development of the industry in the post-Covid-19 era, as well as look at important industry topics.
Taking into account the significance of the event in the industry, the decision to host the event virtually, is a move much appreciated by industry professionals who rely on this platform for valuable insights. At a time when the industry is in dire need of support to chart out a roadmap to generate business in light of the continuing epidemic, the support that SMMEV is offering is noteworthy. This emphasizes their leading position in the maritime events segment. For years, it has been recognised as a comprehensive event that unites key members of the sector.
A critical time for a vital sector
H.E. Eng. Hessa Ahmed Al Malek, Executive Director, Federal Transport Authority for Land & Maritime (UAE) said: "There is no doubt that the global COVID-19 crisis represents the most severe of its kind in more than a century. Countries and businesses around the world are struggling to find ways to tackle it. However, even during this challenging time, the maritime and shipping industry has played an integral role in helping the world cope with this crisis by securing vital supplies of food and other essentials. This also prompted the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to demand that seafarers and other marine personnel should be considered as key workers as they are helping the world get through a difficult phase.”
She added: "We must all work together to defy the crisis and analyze the conditions, so we can devise the best practices to overcome the challenges and help the sector recover and grow. As an event that is significant in the industry, SMMEV has the capabilities to help businesses survive the crisis by helping them find solutions without wasting any precious time. This platform has always been a paradigm in the maritime events space, strengthening the maritime sector in the region, year after year."
