• 2017 November 24 11:14

    Europort confirms role as international maritime business hub

     Europort’s vital role as a hub for global maritime business was reflected in its continuing attractiveness to international visitors and a series of business deals signed while the 2017 event was in session.

    A busy four days in Rotterdam starting 7 November saw 26,733 visitors from 93 countries descend on the Rotterdam Ahoy venue, where a total of 1,100 exhibitors including 14 country pavilions welcomed guests, with many of the 40 side events focusing on three core themes: Big Data; The Human Factor; and The Environmental Age.

    In a first for Europort, the 2017 event also hosted the US Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) 2017 Awards, marking Rotterdam’s debut as a venue for the prestigious ceremony. The Awards recognized the contribution of 11 companies from the Netherlands which have made their vessels available for search and rescue around the world. Benjamin M. Strong, Director, AMVER Maritime Relations at the US Coast Guard, said: “Rotterdam is a major port and presenting AMVER awards to our Dutch partners at Europort just made sense.”

    Among other innovations this year was a special breakfast organised by inland shipping association Royal BLN-Schuttevaer, presenting a vision for inland waterway transport, followed by a discussion with politicians formatted in the style of popular Dutch TV show 'Dit was het nieuws' (‘This was the News’). Meanwhile, a new mini-symposium on the Royal Netherlands Navy replacement programmes saw the Netherlands Maritime Technology and the NIDV Foundation introduce discussions on the opportunities and challenges connected with building new Dutch submarines, frigates and minesweepers.

    Also jostling for attention at Europort 2017 were the strongly-attended CEDA Dredging Days and the well-received RINA ‘Power & Propulsion Alternatives for Ships’ event, which explored new fueling propositions for ships and the use of emissions-free technologies including renewables. Europort’s topical approach to constituencies that other events find hard to reach was further demonstrated in a special OSPAR gathering focusing on Handling (Plastic) garbage in the Fishing Sector.

    The Europort 2017 agenda was enhanced by four ‘masterclasses’ offering insights into subjects that are now firmly part of the maritime lexicon. A Human Resources masterclass, for example, underpinned the broad-based commitment of Europort 2017 to Human Capital, in its role as a catalyst for the next maritime generation. The week brought the innovative Meet Your

    Peers Event, organised by Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), and the YoungShip 'Captains of industry and how to become one’ seminar.

    Albrecht Grell, Executive Vice President DNV GL, told the opening Europort session that “if the maritime industry is not at the forefront of technology, the next generation will not be there – the industry will not be interesting enough for them”. Accordingly, this year’s event included the Start-Up Plaza, where new maritime entrepreneurs put on five-minute pitches on a special stage within the plaza. The last day also saw a 'Maximising Young Talent' showcase session that allowed 10 would-be entrepreneurial students to pitch their innovations at ‘Speakers' Corner’, with the best winning prizes awarded by jury and public vote selection.

    Energy Efficiency and ‘Big Data’ also warranted separate masterclasses, with the latter reflecting the emergence of an industry game-changer as far as fleet management is concerned. “When it comes to gathering KPIs such as fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance, collecting and understanding data is crucial,” suggested Matt Duke, VP Digital platform, Maritime Industry – Kongsberg Digital.

    Meanwhile, while most people are familiar with the Internet of Things, its impact on the supply chain is less well understood. Europort 2017 included a special masterclass focusing on Blockchain technology, and the advantages of distributed ledgers.

    Elsewhere, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) opened a ‘Shipowners Lounge’ and, all round, the Rotterdam event once more demonstrated its credentials as a vital meeting place for maritime business, positioned at the heart of a global community.

    Yannick Eberhard, Simulator Engineer for PROMARIN described Europort as “the perfect match between clients and suppliers”. Caterpillar Marine unveiled its new multi-engine optimisation tool for the first time while, exhibition visitors were also introduced to new propulsion, automation and wheelhouse technology for tugs. These included thruster technologies from Veth Propulsion, who introduced its integrated electric-driven L-drive at the exhibition, and the presentation of integrated X-Connect automation, alarm monitoring and power control systems by Ulstein Power & Control.

    Furthermore, Dr. Hossein Ghorbani, CEO of Iran’s Arvandan shipbuilding company, commented: “Arvandan signed a MoU with DAMEN Shipyards covering the construction of two offshore vessels. After this exhibition, many high-profile companies are looking forward to developing collaboration with Arvandan and we have had a very good exchange with the manufacturers and equipment suppliers.”

    The next edition of Europort will be held between 5-8 November 2019.


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18:13 Brunvoll propulsion chosen for ESVAGT's growing fleet of SOVs
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17:37 Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard holds launching ceremony for CMAL's MV Isle of Islay
17:24 Fortescue successfully conducts world’s first use of ammonia as a marine fuel in a dual-fueled ammonia-powered vessel in the Port of Singapore
17:02 APL updates on European Union’s Import Control System 2
16:03 MED Marine contracted to build MED-A2575 series tug for SVS Maritime
15:31 Hanwha Ocean and BV join hands to develop a 270K LNG carrier
15:17 HD Korea Shipbuilding awarded contracts for three VLACs
14:18 Port of Skagen and Stillstrom partner to decarbonise anchorage zone with offshore charging solutions
13:22 Sanmar delivers 6th battery electric power tugboat to Norwegian operator
13:16 COSCO SHIPPING Lines announces the launch of OCEAN Alliance DAY 8 product this year
12:21 Dutch offshore wind farm approved by LR
11:39 ClassNK awards first-ever notation for improvements in living and working environment to Fuyo Kaiun's bulk carrier "ELETTRA"
11:31 Davie strengthens Québec’s shipbuilding industry by supporting the reorientation of AFCDC
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2024 March 17

16:31 Norwegian Shipowners' Association names Harald Fotland as its President
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2024 March 16

16:24 The Netherlands selects Naval Group for its submarine replacement program
15:41 Equinor exercises options to extend four-year drilling contracts
14:17 GONDAN Shipbuilders hosts launching ceremony for Edda Wind's CSOV C503
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2024 March 15

18:07 DNV gives nod to Friede & Goldman BargeRack solution
18:02 New partnership enables faster offshore wind installations in the U.S.
17:53 First production line at ‘World’s Largest Monopile Factory’ to go live in July
17:21 Brunvoll DP2 upgrades for more Mokster vessels
16:55 CMA CGM to suspend its calls at Port au Prince, Haiti
16:03 GEFO's LNG DF chemical tanker Tosca gets Green Award
15:19 CEVA Logistics develops new vehicle logistics business at the Port of Dunkirk
14:11 MPA: SaR operation continues for a missing crew member of the Liberia-flagged UTOPIA
13:07 To develop the Far East it makes sense to build a new shipyard in the country’s eastern regions, President Putin said
12:48 World’s first use of ammonia as a marine fuel in a dual-fuelled ammonia-powered vessel in the Port of Singapore
11:39 COSCO Shipping calls Port of Genoa, Italy with 20,000 TEU vessels on regular basis
10:03 DMC contracted to supply rudder systems for the world’s largest PCTCs

2024 March 14

18:04 Shearwater awarded seismic survey for UK carbon capture and storage project
17:15 UAE, world leaders discuss maritime corridor for aid to Gaza
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15:43 World Shipping Council selects NCB for liner shipping Cargo Safety Program
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12:43 Wartsila Lifecycle Agreement to support optimised low-emission operations for two P&O Ferries vessels
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2024 March 13

18:02 Lebanese, French officials float a plan to rebuild Beirut port nearly 4 years after huge explosion
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15:23 Hede International Shipping enters the Transpacific container trade
14:43 Concordia Damen wins contract to deliver a CDS2410 River Pusher to Transporte Fluviales Frey Bentos
14:13 CMA CGM Group launches its first loyalty program SEA REWARD
13:13 Cargill posts results of the six-month test period of the world’s first wind-powered ocean vessel
12:24 Rotterdam's Gate Terminal sees need for more LNG bunkering capacity at Rotterdam
11:58 MOL announces delivery of LNG-fueled car carrier CERULEAN ACE
11:24 Panama Canal announces increase in daily slots at Panamax locks
10:25 thyssenkrupp Veerhaven plans the climate-friendly pusher tug

2024 March 12

18:04 Cosco Shipping installs Iridium Global Maritime Distress and Safety System on PCTC Cosco Tengfei
17:30 LR issues Project Certificate for CrossWind Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm
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16:25 China Classification Society and MAN ES sign dual-fuel methanol engine agreement