Opportunity knocks on the Pearl River docks

This region encompasses 28 major seaports, 1,871 smaller ones, and 8,051 freshwater ports. By 2010 Guangzhou Port is expected to become one of the major ports in South East Asia, with a throughput surpassing 3.5bn tons and its container throughput reaching 10m TEU.In order to accelerate the development of its maritime industry, the Chinese government has decided to create shipbuilding hubs in Guangzhou, along with Shanghai and Dalian. The South China region relies on some 75% of the related equipment arriving via imports, so the rationale behind holding INMEX here is clear to see. The opportunities for international exhibitors are manifest and China’s logic extends to the inevitable process whereby the foreigners interacting with locally based marine industry professionals creates a network of valuable ongoing relationships.

The newly completed Phase 1 of Guangzhou Longxue Shipbuilding launches what will be China’s third largest shipyard on some 5.85 sq/km of reclaimed land. Shipbuilding is seen as playing a key role in the development of Guangdong province’s economy. Where there is shipbuilding, ship repair cannot be far behind and indeed Guangxi Tieshan Port and the Fujian Putian Lianfa Ship Building & Repairing Co will both add to local capacity when completed next year.

There is thus ample reason for companies wishing to seize part of the considerable action to visit or participate in the 17th ShipRepair & Conversion event at Guangzhou. As the most comprehensive event of its kind, ShipRepair & Conversion gives exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to meet the Chinese shipbuilding and ship repair industries face to face, with the potential to generate substantial new business. All aspects of ship care, maintenance, machinery, conversion, re-fit, repair, supply and refurbishment will be represented in the heart of the booming Pearl River Delta, which contributes an astonishing 40% of China’s GDP.