China - The organisers of Marintec China claim the Chinese government’s financial support and championing of its maritime sector is the reason its biennial marine trade fair has sold out this year.
Organisers UBM Asia and the Shanghai Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers say the event has sold out despite the addition of two further exhibition halls at the venue. Floor space at the exhibition grew to 50,000sqm, a 40 per cent increase on the 2007 event and the largest instance of the show in its 30-year history.
“The economic stimulus package made by Beijing has had a strong positive effect on the shipyards, the carriers and the supporting industries,” president and CEO of UBM Asia, Jimé Essink, told Exhibition World. “The Chinese government wants Marintec China to be a showcase for Chinese industry in the maritime sector even during the difficult times.”
Essink believes the maritime industry is expected to grow not just in China but globally, despite early fears of commissions being cancelled due to the worldwide recession. “The shipping order book is still full now in China, mainly due to Chinese shipping companies keeping their new build orders,” he said. “The Journal of Commerce reported recently that the Evergreen chairman said they will be ordering over 100 new container ships over the next decade.”
More than 1,200 exhibiting companies and 36,000 professional visitors will take part in this year’s fair at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on 1-4 December. The event features 18 national and group pavilions including, for the first time, pavilions from Turkey and Taiwan.
