Europort 2009 Shows No Signs of the Global Recession
Brett Keil, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of the Maritime Executive says Europort 2009 is one of the most impressive shows he’s attended in recent memory.
BALKENENDE ‘STEERS’ EXHIBITION EUROPORT INTO AHOY ROTTERDAM
Prime Minister impressed by the scale of this maritime exhibition
Europort 2009, the international maritime exhibition Prime Minister Balkenende opened this morning, apparently hasn’t been hit by the worldwide economical crisis. Balkenende was impressed by the scale of Europort 2009. During his round on the exhibition floor, he was explicitly interested in the total presentation of every maritime discipline. He observed that the need for a maritime meeting place is shown to be larger in a hard economical climate like this. Balkenende opened Europort 2009 out of the ordinary. He steered his virtual vessel into the harbor of Rotterdam and kicked off the four day exhibition in Ahoy Rotterdam.
Members of the inland navigation, sea shipping and dredging, to naval specials, offshore and fishery are all here. A record number of 900 exhibitors from 35 countries and every imaginable discipline within the maritime industry have come together to show their wares and talk shop. Prime Minister Balkenende mentioned the inspiring theme of Europort 2009 in his speech: Advanced Technology, Imagination becoming reality. “Today, innovations in sustainable technology and operational management are a necessity rather than a luxury. Now that climate change is forcing us to set ambitious targets to reduce harmful emissions at national, European and global level, the maritime sector is also being asked to play its part”, says Balkenende. Sjef van Dooremalen, Chairman of the Maritime Innovation Council, asked the Prime Minister to continue investment in high-quality infrastructure. Balkenende offered a positive answer: “Success depends on constant innovation. But above all it depends on confidence in the future and the belief that an imagination can become reality.”
The exhibition’s theme “Advanced Technology” is also reflected in the record number of related workshops, conferences and meetings taking place during Europort 2009. In cooperation with HME ‘Advanced Technology Conferences’ are organized, besides the CEDA Dredging Days and The Europort Short Sea Conference. Europort lasts until Friday the 6th of November.