Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress Day 1Wednesday, 18 September 2024 - AT (Arabian Time, GMT+03:00)

This session will host a series of strategic announcements for the industry as well as the prestigious presentation of the Seatrade Maritime Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024.

Insightful keynote updates from global classification specialists ABS.

In this discussion panel, several prominent figures from the Kingdom and International landscape will discuss the ideas that will propel the Maritime Industry to a “new normal”. How can the international community take inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth and innovation programmes? What limitations will need to be navigated around outside the Kingdom? Will trade lane disruption and infrastructural service positioning make major changes to the way the Maritime Industry operates in the future? And what should shipowners and operators be paying particular attention to in the years to come?

Key talking points for this session include:

• Logistics infrastructure development in KSA

• The evolving relationship with the cargo owner

• Regional transhipment evolution & the land-bridge initiative

• Cargo handling & storage capabilities & their impact on port operator & shipowner decision making

The emergence of Saudi Arabia and the wider region as a new force in shipbuilding and repair has important implications for the global industry. This session will look at the current state of the newbuilding market as it responds to the demands of decarbonisation and the opportunities presented by new technologies and alternative fuels. The role which the KSA and the wider ME region can play in this dynamic and rapidly changing market. What are the particular challenges of competing in this market and how are they being addressed?