Region’s $4 billion dredging and reclamation works in focus at CEDA conference in Doha
Experts will discuss a broad range of technical issues in the two-day event, being organized in conjunction to Ship & Port + Europort Maritime 2008

Doha, April 14, 2008: Over 100 international experts and professionals involved in dredging related activities are expected to convene in Doha to participate in the first ever Central Dredging Association (CEDA) conference to be organized in the Middle East. The international conference on dredging in the Arabian Gulf, “Dredging and Sustainability – How Wide is the Gulf?”, places special emphasis on providing a practical international and national forum for issues and ideas related to dredging and reclamation.

The CEDA conference, which is being organized in conjunction with the Ship and Port + Europort Maritime, the International Ship Building, Port and Marine Technology Exhibition, will be held on May 6 and 7, 2008 at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre. The event will be of importance for practitioners and scientists representing project owners, commissioners of large-scale dredging and reclamation projects, professionals from port, coastal and environmental authorities, dredging contractors, consultants and research institute personnel.

CEDA, based in the Netherlands, is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, professional society for all those involved in activities related to dredging and marine construction and who live or work in Europe, Africa or the Middle-East. CEDA’s core mission is  “generation and dissemination of knowledge”. Conferences organised by CEDA are well-known and valued forums and well attended by leading researchers and industry experts. CEDA’s biennial conference, the CEDA Dredging Days, first held in 1978, has established itself as the foremost international dredging conference in Europe.

Commenting on the first CEDA conference in the region, Mr. Ebrahim Al Neama, Chairman, Al Fajer Al Lulla, the co-organiser of Ship and Port + Europort Maritime, said:

“We are pleased that CEDA chose to organize its conference in conjunction with this leading maritime industry events of the region. The delegates will find good value in their participation as it would not only help them being informed about the latest in their industry, but also the opportunity to network with experts and industry professionals.”

He added: “There are massive dredging works being undertaken in the Gulf region, which includes extensions of ports and creation of land for housing and infrastructure. A technical conference on dredging in the region will provide an opportunity to exchange information, share experiences and have a good constructive discussion about the challenges the projects present and the innovative solutions used by clients and contractors.”

The Middle East accounted for 30 per cent of the total global dredging turnover in 2006, according to the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC). The value of dredging in the Middle East was valued approximately at $4 billion.

Professor Wim Vlasblom, CEDA Director, Chairman of the Technical Papers Committee said: “CEDA is excited to present its first ever international dredging conference in the Arabian Gulf, the home of mega dredging and reclamation works.  As chairman of the Papers Committee I am proud to be part of the enthusiastic team that put together an excellent, high quality technical programme for this event. Prestigious speakers with extensive experience in the Gulf region will present a broad range of technical and environmental challenges and discuss smart innovative solutions both from project owners and the dredging industry alike. We are pleased to include in the conference programme a technical visit to the Pearl Qatar, one of the project sites with a bold execution technology.”
 
He added: “I encourage all dredging professionals both users and providers of dredging services in particular those experts working in the region – to take full advantage of this event on their “doorsteps” , to learn from each other, to establish new business opportunities,  to meet old friends and to make new ones.”

Conference highlights:

• Five technical sessions, 15 presentations, by experts from 7 different countries from  academia, consultancies, dredging contractors and dredge builders
• Technical visit to the Pearl Qatar
• Gala dinner
• Partners programme
• Post-conference tour

The three-day Ship & Port + Europort Maritime is scheduled to be held at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre in Doha from May 5 to May 7, 2008. The Dubai-headquartered Al Fajer Information and Services, a leading organiser of industry expositions in Middle East, Africa and India, has partnered with Ahoy Rotterdam to organise the third edition of the Ship & Port + Europort Maritime 2008.

This event is organised under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, Minister of State, Government of Qatar.

Ship & Port + Europort Maritime sets ground for showcasing the latest in products and services related to the accelerating maritime industry in the Middle East and Asia.

Qatar Petroleum is the platinum sponsor of Ship & Port + Europort Maritime. Qatar Port Authority is the principal sponsor.  The new event is co-sponsored by Qatar Navigation and Radio Holland.

For the full programme of the conference and booking details visit:
www.cedaconferences.org/qatar2008

or contact:

About CEDA
The Central Dredging Association (CEDA) is an international professional membership organisation for all those involved in dredging related activities and who live or work in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East. CEDA provides an independent forum for the exchange of knowledge in fields related to dredging, maritime construction and dredged material management. Members are drawn from many fields and include consultants, research and educational institutes, port authorities, government agencies, dredging contractors, builders of dredging vessels, and suppliers of ancillary equipment. CEDA encompasses a wide range of disciplines and activities and does not represent the interests of any particular industry sector. (www.dredging.org)

About Al Fajer Information & Services
The Dubai-based Al Fajer Information & Services is a pioneer in organising industrial exhibitions in and around the Middle East region, especially in the UAE, Qatar, India, Kenya, South Africa. Al Fajer has strategic alliances with Messe Dusseldorf, Messe IMAG, an international arm of Messe
Munich, and Confederation of Indian Industry for organising several industrial shows. Its exhibition profile includes Dubai Autumn Trade Fair, Dubai Spring Trade Fair, ARABPLAST, TECHNO-Industrial Machinery, WIREARABIA, Tube Arabia, Paper Arabia, Al Fares- Equine Trade Fair, SME Expo, Watch & Jewellery Expo, Transexpo, Digital Arabia, Auto Parts East Africa, and Autoparts South Africa.

About Europort
Europort has become a benchmark of specialised knowledge and technology in the field of maritime design and preventive maintenance. This is a distinctive position which particularly for Western Europe is unique within the spectrum of maritime trade fairs. The 2007 edition of the trade fair focuses a great deal of attention on the expertise on hand in the Dutch maritime cluster, with an emphasis on complex shipbuilding. This includes the construction of short sea vessels, tugs, patrol vessels, mega-yachts, dredgers, offshore suppliers, LNG tankers, heavy transport ships and high performance inland navigation vessels. This way, Europort is responding to the increasing worldwide demand for these types of ships.
 
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