Tanker Conference Focuses On Environmental And Human Capital Challenges And Growth Opportunities

The second The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference, which took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai, on 24th October, underlined the potential that exists for growth and development within the region’s tanker sector. To achieve this, however, speakers stressed there was a need not just for investment, but closer collaboration between different stakeholders, to create the foundations for sustainable success. Other key themes included environmental regulations and their impact on tanker shipping; crewing and the need to invest in human capital; and the implications of digitalization and ‘Big Data’ for this business.

The Conference was a sell-out this year, with a packed Conference hall hearing from a host of top speakers from different segments of the tanker business and support sectors. The event attracted a top quality audience of more than 150 people, including delegates from all the leading tanker owners and operators from across the region.
The high profile one day Conference, organised by The Maritime Standard, a division of Flagship Events, provided a unique insight into what is happening in the tanker market and the likely trends over the years ahead. The messages were relevant not just for tanker owners and operators, but all companies providing services to the tanker sector.

The keynote speeches set the tone for an enlightening day. H.E. Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah, chief executive of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), gave the audience the full benefit of his many years of experience with some unique insights into likely market patterns. He was followed by Abdullah Bin Damithan, commercial director, DP World, who outlined Dubai’s intention to invest to create a multi-faceted petrochemicals hub that will have significant implications for tanker and related trades.