Shanghai: The final big shipping show of the year launches tomorrow in Shanghai, and by big, we mean gigantic.
Outside of Hamburg’s SMM, there is no larger maritime exhibition than Marintec China – foot ache is unavoidable as visitors stagger kilometer after kilometer through eight giant exhibition halls. Indeed, for all the talk of a slowdown in China, especially among the nation’s hard-hit shipyards, it will scarcely be in evidence tomorrow. The show has grown by 14% since its last edition to cover 80,000 sq m.
Comments Michael Duck, executive vice president of the show’s organisers, UBM Asia: “Since China is arguably the largest shipbuilding country, Marintec China is proven to be the best platform for exhibitors to meet buyers and get new business, so global maritime industry people see Marintec as a must-attend event.”
The event is into its 36th year and is the only one in China to have the full support from the Chinese government including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Transport, and the Shanghai municipal government.
President Xi Jinping’s drive to yoke China with Europe via the One Belt, One Road initiative has received much interest from the maritime community this year and Marintec China intends to help visitors understand more about this continent-combining plan.
“The ‘Belt and Road’ is the hottest topic now in China, and we’ll have an area that will feature the ‘21st -Century Maritime Silk Road’ promoted by the office of Construction of Shanghai International Center,” Duck explains. Visitors can learn more information about the new Silk Road in this feature area.
Duck reveals there will be many new product launches at Asia’s largest shipping show, especially from diesel engine manufacturers.
On the conference side, the organisers have invited Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to speak at the Senior Maritime Forum, given how cruise is now a hot topic in China.
Splash will be reporting live from the event, while a raft of magazines belonging to parent Asia Shipping Media will be distributed at the event. These include dual language SinoShip magazine, Maritime CEO magazine, and special annuals on Singapore and Hong Kong plus a host of technical journals including fuels and lubes, satellite communications and vessel cosmetics.
