GULF MARITIME2008 The sixth edition of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition, the Middle East’s premier maritime event dedicated to meeting the complete requirements of the commercial, government, and military maritime industry, concluded successfully at Expo Centre Sharjah on April 23, 2008.

Held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, the exhibition was organized by Expo Centre Sharjah.

The 6th Gulf Maritime held in Sharjah, was a success. Spread across 4,000 square meters in the Expo Centre Sharjah Hall 1, the exhibition featured over 100 brands & companiess from over 20 countries and the displays at the exhibition include Deck machinery and other vessel equipment, Docking equipment, Electronics, Communication and navigation systems, Engine and propulsion systems, Fuel and lubricants, Ride control systems, Sound and vibration control systems, Marine interiors, Paints and coatings, latest vessel building designs and technology, equipment for fishing, Offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, and patrol boats, Ship repair and port operations products, and Cargo handling services.

The show was officially inaguarated by by Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman, Department of Seaports and Customs, Seaports Authority – Sharjah in the presence of senior personnel from assembled trade, visiting professionals, senior officials from Expo Centre Sharjah and the media.

The three-day event attracted 2,090 trade visitors from the maritime industry of 40 countries. Of the total visitors, 1,160 visitors were from the GCC States.

Gulf Maritime 2008 has proven its business worthiness in terms of business, sales & distributorship generated by the participants. A good number of exhibitors have implied their participation for the next event.

Gulf Maritime 2008 also hosted “product presentation seminars” alongside the shows.These seminars touched upon the relevant topics related to the Middle East maritime industry and included:

	Global Execution of Ship Building Projects through AVEVA Marine
	Intergraph Enterprise Solution for the Shipbuilding and the Offshore Industries
	Designing the Right Ship for the Job
	Work Boat - New Building activity in the region
	Ship Repair – New technology

The Exhibition attracted a number of new exhibitors, from various maritime sectors. The next edition of Gulf Maritime is scheduled in 2009 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Exact dates are yet to be finalized.