With a high percentage of the world''s dredging fleet and ancillary workboats filling the region in recent years it is surprising that the Arabian Gulf has not had its own dedicated workboat exhibition and conference. The unlikely void has now been filled by Baird Publications, which launches Work Boat Gulf 2009 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre on 6 to 8 April.
'Contrary to conventional wisdom, the recent fall in the price of oil has not led to a noticeable reduction in workboat activity in the Middle East, said the show's organiser, Kishore Navani. 'Offshore service vessels, tugs, floating cranes, barges and workboats of all kinds are still in very big demand.' Bahrain is the communications hub and business centre of the region. Its well developed infrastructure, professional services and liberal lifestyle make it the ideal location for an event such as Work Boat Gulf. The organisers are expecting some 3,000 international maritime industry professionals to attend the show from all over the world. They will represent workboat, fishing boat and aquaculture boat owners and operators, boat builders and designers, financiers, classification societies, consultants, NGOs, and the suppliers of a variety of related equipment.
An exhibition featuring more than 80 international companies will be accompanied by the Arabian Gulf Workboats Association's first forum. Spread over 6 and 7 April the forum will run from 10:00 to 18:00. On the third day of the show, 8 April, the forum will make an excursion to visit workboat facilities in the nearby Bahrain/Damman area, including the region's booming Arab Ship Repair Yard (ASRY).
There will also be an extensive programme of Product Presentations Seminars running alongside the exhibition on 6 and 7 April. This will include detailed presentations on the latest in offshore service vessel design and construction, tug and workboat propulsion systems, emergency response vessels, aluminium boatbuilding and repair, escort tug winch developments, and workboat deck equipment.
For further information, Tel: +61 3 9645 0411, Email: marinfo@baird.com.au, Web: www.bairdmaritime.com.
