Even in this age of digitization, face-to-face communication remains central to our industry. Events such as conferences and trade fairs are places where theory meets practice — and can be much more than a platform to buy or sell a product. Establish relationships with experts and discover for yourself the latest in marine research, development, and technology at marine industry events this year.
A busy year in shipping
2019 is set to be a year of increase. According to Navis’ ‘Business Bellweather’ survey, an outstanding 90% of respondents believe their organizations will increase spending in IT and technology this year. As digitization progresses this year, more money will be spent on business intelligence, automation, and big data analytics.
As shipping companies look to adjust strategies to comply with changing standards, attending these kinds of events is vital. Businesses ensure that they receive expert knowledge and advice on cutting-edge tech solutions. One event with a strong focus on technology is Nor-Shipping 2019 which will take place this year from June 4 to June 7 with 35,000 attendees expected. ‘An arena for ocean solutions’, Scandinavia’s largest shipping exhibition will feature presentations from more than 1,000 shipping companies on topics such as shipbuilding and repairs, IT, and most importantly, sustainability.
Similarly, the Kormarine exhibition and conference in Busan, South Korea is the place to be if you’re involved in the maritime industry this October. A special feature of this event is the ability to plan successful business meetings with likeminded individuals via their online business matching tool. The conference will feature lectures from international experts. However, more information regarding the event and speakers will be published on the event website in the coming months.
Rounding off the year, Marintec takes place between 3 and 6 December. This year’s event in Shanghai is the “leading platform, connecting the community, and strengthening the maritime industry”. Over 2,000 exhibiting companies will appear, offering visitors a chance to review the entire maritime supply chain.
Smart focus
Rotterdam is home to Europe’s largest port and is also the location for a leading exhibition in special purpose vessels. The fundamental theme of Europort 2019 is ‘special ships, smart solutions’, examining the development of the shipping industry through use of smart technologies. This focused motif sets this event apart from others. From November 5 to 8, the annual Europort event is ‘the leading business hub for the maritime sector’, where exhibitors will offer a range of products and shipping solutions that cater for a market of growing complexity.
At the annual Smart4Sea conference held in Athens on January 30, smart shipping will once again be at the forefront. Experts are brought together for a one-day event to discuss cybersecurity, big data, and e-navigation amongst many other important issues. An awards ceremony will take place the night before the exhibition, and winners will receive prizes in energy efficiency, leadership, connectivity, and more.
Superyachts in the spotlight
The prestigious Monaco Yacht Show takes place this year from September 25 and 28. In the iconic Port Hercules, 120 superyachts will be on display, including 40 making a world debut at the event. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for exhibitors and ticketholders alike. Demonstrations on products related to on-board safety, audio and visual equipment and navigation tools will be presented before yacht owners and shipping companies.
SKF Marine is set to appear at 10 trade fairs this year, across 9 different countries. For the full list please refer to the SKF website.