That there is opportunity here for the European maritime sector has already been recognised by the Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, who, along with Minister of Communications of the People’s Republic of China, has organised a major international conference and exhibition, the 1^st Yangtze Shipping Forum, to be held in the port city of Wuhan from 10-13 January 2007. The event will feature a high level two day conference, comprising plenary sessions and practical workshops.

The first plenary sessions will review the present and future of inland shipping on the Yangtze, the Rhine/Danube in Europe and North America’s Mississippi. Subsequent sessions will review ways of stimulating trade and logistics in river basins and the operational aspects of inland shipping. Day two will consist of a series of technical workshops covering key aspects of inland shipping and ports.

Alongside the conference, a three day exhibition of equipment, systems and services will see a wide range of logistics operators, technology suppliers and IT specialists demonstrate their innovations, concepts and expertise. Following the conference, there will be an extended five day trade mission to a number of Yangtze River port cities.

For further information, visit: www.yangtzeshippingforum.com.