Subsequent to the announcement of support of the SSM, Undersecretariat for Defence Industries made in June 2010 for SMM Istanbul 2011, further professional associations and institutions have announced their endorsement of the exhibition, which is now making its way at full speed towards the new, modernised and expanded Lüfti Kirdar Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC).
The second SMM Istanbul shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology trade fair will be held in the heart of the metropole at[ds_preview] the modernized Lütfi K rdar Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC) Istanbul with the Rumeli Hall the first destination in the New Year and the meeting point for the international shipbuilding industry from 26 to 28 January 2011. The Turkish Ministry of Industry and Trade shows great interest in that, as the official supporter of SMM Istanbul.
The recovery of world trade and the growing appeal of the shipbuilding markets in Turkey and neighbouring countries promise a »full house« for SMM Istanbul 2011. The organisers are Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC), which hosts SMM, the world’s leading shipbuilding fair, and the Turkish partner Goca Fuar Kongre ve Sergi Hizmetleri Ltd.Þti (Goca Exhibitions).
The fair is the international platform for new maritime technology and innovation and brings together all the key decision-makers in world shipbuilding. The inaugural SMM Istanbul 2009 attracted more than 4,000 trade visitors from 66 nations and 150 exhibitors from 30 nations.
Divided by the Bosphorus, Istanbul is built on two continents and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The city has a strong tradition in shipping and shipbuilding and has become a growing international force in the maritime industry. It is currently the 5th largest shipbuilding country in the world – with an already high number of shipyards that is ever increasing to accommodate the growth and development in the Turkish maritime sector.
Along with numerous Turkish shipyards and maritime equipment suppliers, a number of leading exhibitors from Asia and Europe have booked their presentations at SMM Istanbul 2011. The tremendous interest of the Turkish maritime industry in the fair is summarised by Metin Düzgit, Director of Düzgit Yalova Shipyard: »After the major losses in newbuilding business last year, SMM Istanbul 2011 gives great opportunities for the companies of the Turkish shipbuilding industry, at a location practically on our own doorstep.« These are opportunities that will definitely be taken by Turkish shipyards such as Düzgit Yalova Shipyard, Uzmar Shipyard, Çeliktrans Shipyard, and also by maritime equipment suppliers such as Yedi Deniz, ENKA, the outfitter Makpa Kristal, Ozkan Steel (the leading manufacturer of steel sections), Polar Marine, JRC (a marine electronic specialist), and Mega Endüstri, an Ankara-based manufacturer of automation and control systems.
The good business prospects will also attract many maritime equipment suppliers from Europe and Asia to Istanbul. »Turkey is currently our most important export country, with plenty more potential for expansion«. says Mathias Pein, Managing Director of Piening Propeller, one of the leading German manufacturers of marine propellers and propulsion systems, based in Glückstadt on the Elbe. The company has been active in the Turkish market since the 1970s. One of the most important elements for Pein is contact with the SSM (Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries), which gives full support to SMM Istanbul, on behalf of the Turkish Government, with strong commitment both at the exhibition and the conference. »We continue to see our best opportunities in navy and coastguard vessels, and in superyachts,« he said, »because that is where the demands are the highest.« At present Piening is supplying the »power package« for various newbuilding series for the Turkish navy and coastguard, comprising propellers, shaft systems, shaft struts and other components, up to the gearbox.
Mehdi K l ç, Managing Director of Volvo Penta Turkey, describes the fair as »the right address for the shipbuilding industry«. The company’s exhibits at the fair will feature the Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Performance System), an integrated solution for commercial shipping and for maritime leisure activities. Good business prospects are also seen by companies from France, Spain, Norway, Italy, Portugal, the US, Taiwan and Korea. A number of countries have announced national pavilions, including Denmark, Germany and Japan. The Japan Marine Equipment Association (JSMEA) will have a stand with eleven Japanese companies.
A comprehensive overview of the Turkish shipbuilding industry and its international relations, and on the directions of future development, will be provided by the accompanying two-day conference at SMM Istanbul 2011, to be opened by U ur Yi it, Commander of the Turkish Navy, on the first day of the fair, 26 January 2011. Ba aran Bayrak, President of the Turkish Ship and Yacht Exporters’ Association, will deal in his opening speech with the importance of the shipbuilding industry for Turkey, and present the thematic areas of the conference. The introductory keynote speech by Murad Bayar, Director of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, focuses on the contents of Session 1. There, under the general heading of »Our Future – Joint Forces Naval Shipbuilding and Private Shipbuilding«, speakers from the SSM and CEOs of major Turkish shipyards will present shipbuilding projects and engage in exchange of experience. Session 2 addresses more the technical aspects of design, requirements and operational areas of ships.
One of the eagerly awaited highlights for participants is Session 3 on »Green Shipping«, which starts the second day of the conference. Information is provided there by John Aitken, Secretary General of the Shipping Emissions Abatement & Trading (SEAaT) industry group, on the status of the international discussion on emissions reduction. Ceren Bylgyn Güney of the Technical University of Istanbul will discuss sustainable ballast water management. Other presentations will cover further environmental protection aspects such as Risk Management and Fire Protection. There is a special section at the conference dedicated to superyachts. A discussion of the current situation in the Turkish superyacht market and future developments in this sector will be held, with participation by managing directors and owners of mainly Turkish yacht builders, such as Necdet Salgür, General Manager of Proteksan, an Istanbul shipyard; Mike Burham of RMK Marine, an Australian builder; Sinan Özer, owner and CEO of Ege Yacht; and Sedat Ergün, General Manager of Dünya Yachts.
The wide range of events on offer at the exhibition is complemented by an attractive and extensive supporting programme in a truly stimulating maritime environment. Highlights include:
• Exhibitor reception
• Shipyard visit
• Panel discussions
• Workshops
• Match making
Mr. Ercüment Kafali, Consultant, TVK Shipyard Kocaeli said: »Turkish shipbuilders, the leaders in the chemical tanker sector, are now aiming to produce ever more sophisticated, high-technology vessels. In this respect, the SMM Istanbul exhibition is an excellent opportunity to reach yards, operators and investors in the challenging maritime industry. I am very proud to be Chairman of the Conference. As SMM Istanbul 2011 has an enormous potential, I am pleased to help further strengthen this exhibition«. Mr. Ercüment Kafali will be acting as chairman and special advisor during the exhibition.
An Advisory Council was set up for the conference, comprising representatives of maritime industry (industry associations, shipyards, equipment suppliers, logistics and transportation). It supports SMM Istanbul and gives advice on the direction and contents of the conference.
Mr. Hasan Naiboglu – Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Turkey said: »We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the fair organisers. SMM Istanbul is a subsidiary fair of SMM Hamburg, the worlds leading shipbuilding, machine and marine technology fair – and an event that we have followed closely on behalf of the Turkish shipbuilding industry. Within this framework we would like to take this occasion to express our belief that SMM Istanbul – to be held for the second time between 26–28 January 2011 – will once again be a great success. It is a major event that is of considerable importance both for the development of Turkey’s shipping and shipbuilding sectors and for the fact that Turkey has the honour of playing host to so many maritime industry professionals.«
GF
