Dubai hosts second successful TOC Container Supply Chain event
The conference was held under the Patronage of His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, who also officially opened the accompanying Trade Exhibition.
In the conference delegates heard many instances of just how the Middle East region is now firmly established as a major trading block with extensive economic linkages across the globe and gained valuable insight into the key issues affecting the industry.
The Keynote presentation was given by Mr Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director DP World, UAE Region. After welcoming delegates to TOC CSC Middle East, Mr Al Muallem noted that the GDP of the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council is predicted to reach US$1.5 trillion in 2013, according to Qatar National Bank research. Coupled with a GCC population growth rate expected to be 3.2% in 2013 (faster than the world average) the GCC states are still contributing to the efforts towards global economic recovery.
In addition, most Gulf countries are moving to break their economic dependence on oil. Significant spending on infrastructure and social initiatives, such as housing, implies significant potential demand for traded goods, which in turn puts a demand on world-class logistical services.
The conference welcomed speakers from a wide range of supply chain stakeholders, including shippers such as Mattex and Ma’aden, logistics service providers, including Agility, and Kuehne + Nagel, shipping lines such as Maersk and Tarros, and ports and terminal providers, like DP World, APM Terminals, Transnet, Sohar Industrial Port Company, Port of Salalah and Gulftainer.
The UAE has maintained its dominance in the Middle East container market registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% between 2001 and 2011. Saudi Arabia registered an average annual growth of around 13% over the same period. And Iranian ports have also witnessed very strong growth over the past 10 years, registering a CAGR of around 18% between 2001 and 2011.
However, there remain a number of challenges in managing the supply chain in the Middle East region. Among these are variances and increases in freight cost; and some heavily congested Middle Eastern ports. Space availability on vessels is also a concern as is the availability of empty containers during peak season.
Among the most important take-aways from the conference was a call for improved communication between supply chain stakeholders such that if a shipment is likely to be delayed it is essential the customer knows the precise situation as early as possible. This necessitates greater trust and information sharing between supply chain partners who can work together in genuine, collaborative efforts.
For more information:
Sam Whelan
TOC Worldwide
Tel: +44 207 017 5675
sam.whelan@toc-events.com