The Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference and Exhibition, a highly anticipated maritime event, is set to take place on February 4-5, 2025, at the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort. Hosted under the patronage of Minister of Transport H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, the event aims to revolutionize Qatar’s maritime and logistics sectors. This conference and exhibition are strategically aligned with the Ministry of Transport’s vision to transform Qatar into a pivotal regional trade and logistics hub, in line with Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030. By gathering leaders and experts from around the globe, Seatrade Maritime Qatar 2025 seeks to catalyze sectoral growth and establish Qatar as a formidable player in the global maritime industry.
A broad array of sponsors have come forward to support the event, reflecting its significance and anticipated impact. Mwani Qatar is a founding strategic partner, Ooredoo serves as the telecom sponsor, and other major supporters include the Qatar Free Zones Authority, Milaha, and QTerminals Group as main sponsors. Highlighting its importance, Nakilat has been designated as the diamond sponsor, with ABS and Invest Qatar taking the roles of platinum sponsors. Additionally, DNV, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register, MSC Qatar, MEDLOG, and Genesis Marine Services are gold sponsors, with Mowasalat (Karwa) providing silver sponsorship. This extensive support underscores the collective commitment of key stakeholders to advance Qatar’s maritime futures.
Key Topics and Themes
The conference is set to delve into critical topics pertinent to the maritime industry, such as safe and sustainable shipping, the impact of digitalization on sustainability, the maritime industry’s energy transition with a focus on LNG, and financing technologically advanced, environmentally friendly fleets for future operations. This gathering of specialists, experts, and decision-makers from various regions aims to synergize diverse insights and experiences, fostering holistic advancements in the maritime sector. The primary mission of this event is to enable Qatar’s ports and logistics sector to enhance productivity by leveraging global expertise.
Ms. Najla Al Jaber, who oversees the Road Affairs Department at the Ministry of Transport, highlighted this mission as aligning with the broader strategy to develop the maritime transportation industry. According to her, the event’s focus on digitization, sustainability, energy transition, and financial strategies promises to directly contribute to the development of Qatar’s maritime sector. This focus is anticipated to advance the nation’s economic and trade growth substantially. By addressing these themes, the conference is positioned to make significant strides toward realizing the goals set forth in Qatar National Vision 2030.
Strategic Importance and Infrastructure
Enhanced national infrastructure and technological advancements have significantly positioned Qatar as an attractive destination for global shipping firms. Specifically, the advancements at Hamad Port have improved handling operations and provided comprehensive services that benefit clients within an optimized business environment. This development is crucial in Qatar’s bid to become a central hub in the region’s maritime landscape. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of robust infrastructure in supporting the country’s ambitious economic and logistical aspirations.
Mr. Hamad Ali Al-Ansari, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at Mwani Qatar and Chairman of the Conference and Exhibition Organizing Committee, emphasized the significance of the Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference and Exhibition. He stated that the event marks a milestone in developing the maritime sector in both Qatar and the broader region. According to him, the inaugural event aims to foster strategic partnerships, promote technological innovation, and enhance Qatar’s position as a key international hub for maritime and logistics services. This aligns seamlessly with Qatar’s long-term goals of becoming a regional trade leader.
Seatrade Maritime’s Role and Global Impact
Chris Morley, Seatrade Maritime Group Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, noting that it marks a significant milestone for Seatrade Maritime itself. With a formidable 55-year presence in global maritime events, Seatrade Maritime’s involvement in Qatar aims to catalyze sectoral growth and contribute to the country’s ambition of becoming a global maritime hub. This participation emphasizes Seatrade Maritime’s commitment to fostering innovations and strategic alliances that will benefit the global maritime community.
Participants, including leaders and experts from around the world, are expected to engage in a series of panel discussions, workshops, and debates on essential topics like sustainable shipping, digitization, and the future of maritime fuels. This rich agenda reflects the event’s comprehensive approach to addressing the maritime industry’s needs and challenges. Through these planned activities, the conference is set to provide actionable insights and solutions to the critical issues facing the sector today, driving both regional and global progress.
Sponsor Perspectives and Contributions
Several key sponsors have echoed their support for the event, aligning their organization’s objectives with the core themes of the conference. Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari from Ooredoo Qatar highlighted the event’s alignment with Qatar’s vision for maritime innovation and sustainability. Such alignment underscores Qatar’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices within its maritime sector. Al-Kuwari’s perspective reveals an industry-wide recognition of the importance of innovation in driving sectoral growth and competitiveness.
Ghanim Al-Mulla from the Qatar Free Zones Authority emphasized the maritime sector’s critical role in driving national growth. He underscored the importance of the Marsa maritime development at Umm Alhoul Free Zone in fostering innovation and global connectivity. This emphasis highlights the interconnection between maritime development and broader economic strategies, pointing to the pivotal role of maritime infrastructure in national prosperity. Aligning with this sentiment, Muna Al-Bader from Milaha reiterated the importance of innovation and excellence in the region’s maritime sector, stressing the need for continual improvement and adaptation to emerging trends.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Leaders from renowned organizations such as ABS, DNV, and Lloyd’s Register shared their insights on their contributions to Qatar’s maritime future. ABS’s Erkan Erkul emphasized the significance of balancing safety, regulations, and technology to guide oil clients through complex challenges, highlighting the need for integrated problem-solving in maritime innovation. DNV’s Chris Welsby stressed the company’s dedication to Qatar’s sustainable development through advanced technical solutions and expertise in the decarbonization process.
Panos Mitrou from Lloyd’s Register discussed the importance of sustainable gas development and collaboration across the gas supply chain, emphasizing a collaborative approach to maritime sector innovations and sustainability. Additionally, Kerem KIPER from Bureau Veritas highlighted the organization’s role in fostering innovation and adherence to global standards within the maritime sector.
The Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference and Exhibition aimed to facilitate comprehensive discussions on the industry’s priorities like digitalization, sustainability, energy transition, and financing. The event achieved this by gathering diverse perspectives to shape trends impacting maritime transport and logistics both regionally and globally. The agenda featured expert panels and an exhibition of the latest technologies, showcasing Qatar’s advancement in the maritime sector and its emerging role as a regional and international maritime trade hub.
In summary, the Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference was a crucial event for Qatar’s maritime and logistics sectors, aligning with the nation’s strategic vision to encourage innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation. With significant industry leader participation, the conference addressed pressing issues and solidified Qatar’s position as a key player in the global maritime arena.
