Hull’s world maritime event offers slice of £2 trillion market

Hull has attracted one of the country’s most important maritime business events. The World Maritime Showcase 2010, at the Hull University Business School on Monday, May 17, will provide briefings from worldwide experts on the business opportunities in the maritime industry. These are worth an estimated £2 trillion, £3bn of which already goes to the UK.

Organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in conjunction with World Trade Centre Hull & Humber, the Hull event will focus on Finland, India, Libya, Mexico and Vietnam.

In all, there will be fourteen maritime country specialists from British Embassies and High Commissions who will be on hand for one-to-one meetings with local businesses. Other UKTI international trade advisors will also be available for consultation at the event, which takes in a guided tour of the Logistics Institute.

“These advisors are the eyes and the ears of British maritime trade interests in their respective countries. Their knowledge, contacts and insights are second to none,” said Rob Penrose, managing partner of Andrew Jackson, an official World Trade Centre partner.

“The roadshow is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses in the export market to make some influential international trade contacts in one place at one time on home soil.”

The selected countries represent the best openings for UK companies, with fast growing markets such as Vietnam and Mexico, which was chosen ahead of the UKTI trade mission to the country in September.

India was selected for one of the five focus sessions due to interest from Yorkshire and Humber businesses, some of which visited India in 2009 on a UKTI ports mission. Mohan Bhambhani, the head of UKTI’s India maritime section at the British Deputy High Commission, who looks after UK’s maritime interests in five Indian cities, will talk about opportunities in the country.

It is UKTI’s second year of showcases, which includes Liverpool on May 19, on the Baltic, Brazil, Indonesia, Morocco and Russia, and London on May 20, for a marine workshop and a new report presentation on the opportunities for UK companies in Black Sea ports.

The arrival of the showcase in Hull represents something of a coup for the city as last year the third event was hosted by Newcastle. The switch to Hull in 2010 follows a visit by a delegation of UKTI ports experts to the World Trade Centre last year, which encouraged them to bring the showcase to the Humber.

“The visitors were impressed by the facilities in Hull, which is also one of the UK’s three largest maritime regions with extensive marine and ports infrastructure and marine resources,’ added Mr Penrose, who was optimistic about the prospects for Humber businesses.

“The UK maritime industry has suffered during the downturn because not as many overseas projects have been initiated. However, there is still great potential, including in the leisure sector.

“The maritime expertise in the UK, and the Humber, is highly thought of, and we are recognised as experts in design, consulting, education and training. We are also helped by the common use of English as a trading language.”

According to Graham Billany, Team Humber Marine Alliance project manager, THMA Members were excited about contacts that could arise from the roadshow.

“This is a prestigious event, which brings with it some highly respected and authoritative UKTI consultants, and we encourage businesses to attend,” said Mr Billany.

Richard Faint, commercial manager of the Logistics Institute, said: “Hull University Business School's Logistics Institute is delighted to host the World Maritime Showcase. This prestigious event will highlight the world class expertise and resources in logistics and supply chain management which reside in the institute and the wider region.”

There will be the chance to identify opportunities for overseas visits, exhibitions and UK events, contacts building and networking.

To register or for further information see: www.worldmaritimeshowcase.com or contact a member of the event team on 0117 933 9549.

For media information please contact Catherine Ackroyd or Julian Woodford at Mapa, 01482 589900, 07739 139056 catherine@mapa.org.uk or julian@mapa.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

World Maritime Showcase 2010 – dates and locations

(Offering practical advice suitable for any marine, ports or shipping industry supplier, either experienced or new to exporting)

Mon, May 17, Hull; Hull University Business School
- Finland, India, Libya, Mexico, and Vietnam.

Weds, May 19, Liverpool; Radisson Blu Hotel,
- Baltic, Brazil, Indonesia, Morocco and Russia

Thurs, May 20, London; BIS Conference Centre
- marine workshop and a new report on Black sea ports opportunities

World Trade Centre Hull and Humber
• World Trade Centre Hull & Humber is based at One Humber Quays in Hull and opened on June 16, 2008.
• World Trade Centers Association is a global organisation, with headquarters in New York, formed with the purpose of enhancing world trade. There are more than 300 World Trade Centres in the world serving 750,000 companies, but only three operating in the UK, Hull & Humber, Milton Keynes and Belfast, Ireland.
• World Trade Centre Hull & Humber is funded through Yorkshire Forward and Hull City Council, with support from UK Trade and Investment and the University of Hull. The intention is that it will work towards a commercially sustainable position, through selling services.
• Its partners include:
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce
• Hull Forward
• Hull City Council
• Humber Economic Partnership
• North East Lincolnshire Council
• North Lincolnshire Council
• UK Trade and Investment
• University of Hull
• Yorkshire Forward
• Language is Everything
• Andrew Jackson

Its services include:
• Acting as the first point of contact for investment and trade enquiries, and will signpost any enquiry from the World Trade Centers Association network, providing the knowledge, assistance and contacts to facilitate investment into Hull & Humber.
• Providing leadership for the promotion of trade and investment
• Organising trade missions to explore new markets and receive delegations
• Providing current information on products and services in the city region; perform customised trade research; and offer contacts, leads and referrals
• Offering practical international trade courses
• Taking a leading role in hosting trade-oriented events, and have year-round display space for local products and services
• Providing a one-stop-shop for information and trade links
• Providing ‘front of house’ facilities for companies to do business in high quality surroundings