ShipRepair & Conversion returns to London

The event will showcase a wide range of international exhibitors, with the latest in cutting edge technology and covering all aspects of ship repair including planned maintenance, machinery, supply and refurbishment, shipbuilding, conversion, re-fit and repair. A high-quality conference programme and series of specialist educational workshops will also run alongside the exhibition during the three day show.

As fears of a global recession prove well founded, companies in all sectors are looking increasingly closely at their operations. However, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. As in past recessions, there are always opportunities that companies can use to their advantage, it is just a case of identifying them. And with more than 100 leading suppliers showcasing the latest innovations at ShipRepair & Conversion, the event provides the ideal occasion to seize these opportunities.

Presented by some of the leading figures within the field, the seminar and conference programme will create an excellent forum to debate the current issues facing the industry. The global economic downturn has hit international trade hard over the past five months, leading to a fall in the demand for goods. Subsequently, container traffic has seen a sharp decline in volumes, leading some ship operators to look to save on losses by parking ships rather than running them and, in some cases, abandoning plans for new vessels altogether.

In addition, operators are increasingly looking towards repairing ships currently in operation. Given the economic climate, there is an increasing desire amongst operators to minimise operating costs and improve machinery reliability by applying modern maintenance practices, with methods such as condition monitoring at the forefront of this approach. The collection of data to indicate the physical state of a ship, without disturbing its normal operation, enables faults to be identified before failure occurs. This enables maintenance intervals to be optimised, which can translate into financial benefits for ship operators.

In addition, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy (LMA) will run a highly topical seminar on Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair Contract Management. Specifically developed to address the significant changes in the market due to the global financial climate, the seminar will include practical training on a number of aspects of contract management including contract renegotiations, setting budgets to reduce risk, damage claims and ship finance.

The event already has a number of leading companies signed up, including Blohm & Voss Repair GmbH, Lloyd Werft, Navantia, and the shiprepair, conversion and marine services A & P Group, which will be sponsoring the show’s VIP lounge. Other exhibitors include Hans Langh Industrial and Ship Cleaning, Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH, Cammell Laird Shipbuilders & Shiprepairers, Maritime Services Corp. Ltd and Testbank Ship Repair Ltd.

This year, for the first time, ShipRepair & Conversion will incorporate Passenger Shipping Expo (PSE). Focusing specifically on the cruise and ferry market, including products and services, interior refurbishment, outfitting, repair and maintenance essential to passenger shipping, PSE will feature examples of the developments that are transforming the cruise experience. Suppliers and consultants will also be on hand to advise on smooth ‘behind the scenes’ operations such as safety and security, IT and communications.

Many more industry leaders, as well as specialist and local suppliers will be exhibiting their latest products and systems on the exhibition floor. Information on all the companies exhibiting at ShipRepair & Conversion 2009 is available from www.shiprepairex.com.

For all the latest show information and to register for a free visitors pass, visit: www.shiprepairex.com/register. To register as a delegate call +44 (0)20 7017 7909 or email rstroud@iirx.co.uk.