The two events used to run simultaneously in Amsterdam's vast RAI complex, with Europort Maritime then known simply as Europort. Europort was sold to the Ahoy, whose previous show, Rotterdam Maritime, was combined with Europort to create Europort Maritime, the inaugural event taking place two years ago. Europort Maritime now runs in alternate years with Hamburg's SMM to present the largest commercial marine event in Europe.

The first Europort Maritime attracted visitors from 91 countries and, with more than 900 exhibitors participating this year, that number is likely to grow. International pavilions will be in place from the Netherlands, England, Germany, Spain, Korea, China, Denmark, Belgium, Romania and Turkey.

Taking place in the city which hosts Europe's largest port, Europort Maritime is well situated for its role as international trade fair for maritime technology. This year's event will devote special attention to the handling of complex shipbuilding projects such as tugs, dredgers and patrol vessels. Attention will be paid to new shipbuilding technologies such as the use of composite building materials.

There are numerous events and conferences running alongside Europort Maritime, including CEDA Dredging Days on 7 - 9 November. The biggest event in the dredging world apart from the World Dredging Congress, CEDA Dredging Days 2007 explores the theme The Day After We Stop Dredging – Dredging For Infrastructure And Public Welfare and asks, without dredging, will flood risks be increased? Without beach nourishment will coastal towns and habitats be put at risk? What would happen to our jobs, trade and general welfare if our ports are unable to accept larger ships? Would we see more and larger aggregate quarries on land? Through several introductory presentations, keynote speakers will answer these and similar questions, before session speakers offer possible approaches and solutions and present case studies for win-win situations. All the keynote lectures have been distributed to selected NGOs in advance, who will be invited to present their views at Dredging Days.

CEDA has designed the conference to not only examine state of the art technologies and encourage stimulating dialogue between promoters and opponents of dredging works, but also to raise wider awareness of just how important dredging is to the infrastructure and public welfare of our countries.

Also taking place at Europort Maritime on 8 and 9 November will be a new Maritime Health Conference, bringing together key specialists from both the cargo and passenger shipping sectors as well as regulators, policy makers, and medical equipment suppliers, all of whom will debate health problems on board ships and explore ways to implement workable solutions.

METS 2007 will see more than 1,100 exhibitors participating in the 20th anniversary of an event which has become the world's largest platform for marine products. Distributors, dealers, retailers and wholesalers will all be in attendance, representing the boat building, repair and design sectors.

The SuperYacht Pavilion, which launched modestly in 2005, more than doubled in 2006 and is expected to be even more of a presence at METS 2007.