As the number of national pavilions has increased, Europort has come to occupy a prominent position in the global calendar of maritime trade exhibitions. For Europort 2003 there will be a total of 14 national pavilions, including first time national entries from China, Cyprus, Finland and Romania. Countries returning with national pavilions include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Russia, South Korea and the United States.

Dutch exhibitors will again mount a collective presence under the aegis of Holland Marine Equipment and will receive an important Chinese trade delegation at Europort.

Hundreds of new products will be seen at Europort for the first time. One crowd puller for 2003 will undoubtedly be the demonstration of a vessel that uses air to reduce the water resistance of the hull. Using a large model of a ship, the Maritime Research Institute (MARIN) and the Netherlands' Shipbuilding Industry Association (VNSI) will show how the new fuel saving technology works.

This potentially significant advance in shipbuilding has already been developed so far that shipbuilders expect it to yield major benefits in the future.

The Royal Netherlands Society of Professionals in Shipping Technology (KNVTS) conferred their Ship of the Year title for 2003 on the Dutch Royal Navy vessel The Seven Provinces.

This has led to the vessel being given a special pavilion at Europort 2003. Its design and construction will be explained by 10 exhibitors involved in its building, in co-operation with the Royal Dutch Navy.

Europort hosts two major conferences for 2003, the Mare Forum on 17 and 18 November and CEDA Dredging Days on 20 and 21 November. The Mare Forum is the official Europort conference and will be held in the Hotel Krasnapolsky.

The theme of the English language event will be 'Restoring trust in the triangular relationship between ship owners/regulators/ charterers, shippers and cargo owners and its effect on quality in shipping today'.

CEDA Dredging Days marks the 25th Anniversary of the Central Dredging Association's inaugural meeting, which took place in the Amsterdam RAI on 15 November 1978. A reunion reception has been organised to take place within the RAI on 20th November following the first Dredging Day.

The theme of CEDA Dredging Days 2003 is 'Specialist Dredging Techniques, Inspiring Dredging Solutions'. CEDA has programmed the conference to present a state of the art review of specialised dredging techniques and innovative approaches to individual dredging operations, not only from the core business but also from the so-called niche applications.

The aim is to discuss and share ideas and to initiate the exchange of experience and technology.

The technical paper includes the Academic Hour, a special session for university and college students and young faculty to present their research on any subject matter related to dredging.

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