Global Leaders Maritime Summit to exploring the future of the shipping, marine '&' maritime industries

The 1st Mare Forum Dubai Global Leaders Maritime Summit has garnered worldwide attention. The Summit to be held on February 25th 2014 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has been organized by Drydocks World '&' Maritime World in partnership with Mare Forum. The event to be held at Madinat Jumeriah has generated overwhelming interest and participation from both the regional and international marine, maritime and shipping sectors. This professional forum will bring together policy makers and chief executives of industry in a decisive dialogue and debate, where business strategy and policy-making for today and tomorrow's issues can be realized with optimal results. As top international business leaders will be in Dubai to formulate The Big Picture for the Marine, Maritime and offshore industry. The Summit will focus on topics relating to global geopolitical considerations today and in the future and examine the world economy, its energy and resource needs and challenges, trade patterns and how this will impact on the maritime industry. Year 2013 turned out to be well-balanced for global energy markets. Demand has risen from Asian markets and competition from unconventional hydrocarbon production has increased and this represents shifts in the established global energy order. Besides, demand due to increased population and economic growth and ensuing power requirements has placed heavy emphasis on the use of alternative and renewable energy sources to attain sustainable development. Industry experts expect global energy consumption to rise by 41 percent from 2012 to 2035. That's an annual growth rate of 1.5 percent. Most of that increase will come from the emerging economies while energy use in the advanced countries will increase, mainly because of new efficiencies. Oil, natural gas and coal will each comprise about 27 percent of the energy mix with the rest coming from nuclear, hydroelectricity and renewable sources. Natural gas consumption is expected increase at 1.9 percent a year. The role of gas in an expanding energy market, opportunities that the offshore industry can provide to the shipping industry, the challenges and upsides for oil and gas exploration '&' production and the basics for growth in the LNG market will be discussed. The event will examine the liquid, dry bulk and container market outlook as well as the outlook per ship type. The dry bulker market utilization is set to improve from this year with increase in demand. The tanker market is changing in favour of product tankers due to a forecasted increase in tonne-mile demand for all types of product types. The VLCC fixture activity is also seen to be picking up gradually giving a positive outlook for the future. Market issues on how shipping can be profitable in a changed market economy, future shipping trends, the creation of a profitable and sustainable shipping industry and trends in shipping rates will be discussed. Offshore perspectives including the economic viability of environmentally friendly vessels and the dynamics in relation to China will be debated. The economic issues relating to such investments, the advantages and disadvantages of such technology, the role of LNG in the future, ballast water management are other topics that would be discussed. The future of the Dubai Maritime Cluster in the light of Dubai dynamics of today and the future for the next 10 to 20 years and beyond will be discussed. The strategies and goals for this sector including topics relating to logistics, taxes, shipbuilding, shipping law, ports and terminals and attendant service industries will also be covered. Khamis Juma Buamim,Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World and Chairman of Mare Forum Dubai, said, "We are truly honored to have such global business leaders who will not only discuss and exchange thoughts but will formulate opinion and present conclusions and synthesis over the future of the marine and maritime industry. This forum is a comprehensive one,which will provide a total new outlook to future maritime business. ''The Global leaders will spend the 2nd day on special business discussion and visits to major maritime centers. The event will focus global attention to the growing importance and emerging stature of Dubai as a critical hub for the industry. This is the first of a series of international forums in Dubai with focus on world-wide recognition of the growing importance and emerging stature of Dubai, the UAE and the region within industry circles."