2009 Conference Programme
Wednesday 7 October
09.00 Registration coffee sponsored by 
Financial Challenges & Investment Opportunities
10.00 – 12.30
Welcome address:
Christopher Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade
Keynote address:
Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region
How has the economy of the region been affected by the global financial crisis and the economic recession?
How keen is the regional appetite for investment in shipping and how has it been affected by the challenges of the market place?
How will the current challenges for the shipping industry play out for the major market sectors?
What is a realistic assessment of the current order book and the supply/demand outlook?
Speakers include:
Ahmed Al Falahi, CEO, Gulf Energy Maritime
His Excellency Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman, General Organisation of Sea Ports, Bahrain
Mohamed Sherine El Naggar, Chairman, A. K. Naggar Group
Fazel A. Fazelbhoy, Chief Executive Officer, Topaz Energy and Marine Limited
Denis Petropoulos, Joint Managing Director, Braemar Seascope Ltd., and Executive Director, Braemar Shipping Services Plc
His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif A. Sultan, Secretary General, Organization of the Islamic Shipowners’ Association (OISA)
Mohammad Souri, Chairman & Managing Director, NITC
Mid-morning coffee break sponsored by
Financing the industry
2.00 – 17.00
A discussion of the principal issues facing finance providers and those seeking funding in the regional and international market, what happens when existing transactions are under stress, the sources of new funding for the industry and the opportunities for providers of new funds.
Speakers include:
Richard Coxall, Chief Financial Officer, Emirates Ship Investment Company LLC
John Forrester, Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan
Ghazali Inam, Head of Corporate Finance, Arab Bank plc
Dipak Karki, Head of Shipping Coverage, Middle East, Turkey & India, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
John Sinders, Senior Executive Officer, Clarkson Investment Services (DIFC) Limited
Panellists
Oliver Ebner, Senior Manager, Project and Structured Finance, National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Geir Sjurseth, Managing Director & Global Head, Offshore Support, DVB Bank SE
Session chairman:
Marcus Machin, Director, Tufton Oceanic (Middle East) Limited
Mid-afternoon coffee break sponsored by
Thursday 8 October
09.00 Registration coffee sponsored by 
Market Opportunities
10.00 – 12.30
It is often said that all market conditions provide opportunities for those who really want to find them. So what are they in this one?
Identifying opportunities across the region: A session focusing on some of the opportunities in the maritime sector across the region, including, in addition to mainstream shipping, the ferry sector, the offshore market and super yachts and marina development.
Speakers include:
Kostas Antonopoulos-Rothschild, Managing Director, Platinum Yachts
Bill Moses, Marine Director, The Maritime Company for Navigation
Geir Sjurseth, Managing Director & Global Head, Offshore Support, DVB Bank SE
Janet Sykes, Head of Marketing, The Baltic Exchange
Zhang Binghua (Ben), Managing Director, Accord Marine Services Ltd
Mid-morning coffee break sponsored by
This programme may be subject to alterations and additions
