Conference to discuss rapidly changing maritime industry
Critical issues related to security and safety affecting the maritime transportation and logistics services industry are expected to dominate discussions at the 3rd Asia Maritime and Logistics Conference on Oct 4 in Kuala Lumpur . The two-day conference themed “Maritime & Logistics: The Dynamic Marketplace” will be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It is organised by the Malaysian Shipowners Associa-tion (MASA) MASA chairman Datuk Dr Nik Mohd Zain Omar said the theme of the conference reflected the prevailing mood of the industry which was changing very rapidly with a raft of new measures affecting manning standards, safety, security as well as management and operation of shipping and logistics. “We are also witnessing an unprecedented scale of developments taking place in the market with freight rates, charter hire rates and the sale and purchase markets setting new records,” he said. Dr Nik Mohd Zain said the conference would attempt to explore the vast changes and developments in a global perspective. “We hope to emerge with initiatives and proactive measures for the industry to sustain competitiveness and the ability to contribute to the country's and global growth. There will be 14 presentations, including from international organisations like the Citigroup Global Markets (Hong Kong), Eurasia International ( China ) Ltd, World Shipping Council (US), Lloyd's Register of Shipping (UK), Capgemini China , Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ( Japan ), Filipino Shipowners' Association, PSA Corporation ( Singapore ) and HSBC Shipping Finance ( Hong Kong ). Several other leading speakers from reputable maritime transportation service providers, supply chain practitioners and government agencies have also been invited. One of the highlights of the conference is a round table discussion on Multilateral Global Trading System: Impact on Transport & Logistics. The presentation, to be led by Citigroup Global Markets Asia Ltd (Hong Kong) will include a panel including Datuk Shamsul Abbas who is Petronas Logistics and Maritime Business vice-president as well as and managing director and CEO of MISC Bhd, and Japan Shippers Council managing director Ted Kawamura. The representatives from the Indian Ministry of Shipping and the World Trade Organisation have also been invited to participate in the conference. A well-known shipping personality Flemming R. Jacobs has been invited to act as the moderator for the Round Table Discussion. Other issues to be discussed are ship management, quality and innovations in shipping, safety, standards and security and shipping markets |