Focus on technical innovation, cost efficiency, sustainability
The conclusion of Europort 2013 on 8 November allowed business to take stock on how technology can address the key challenges that face the maritime and offshore industry. The event’s sharp focus on the core themes of technical innovation, cost efficiency, sustainability and human capital received intense scrutiny at 31 conferences, seminars and fringe events, including networking receptions and matchmaking opportunities.
Organiser Ahoy backed up its claim for Europort as ‘connecting the maritime world’ by logging attendance by 29,355 visitors from 84 countries, with trade missions present from China, Russia and Brazil, among others. With 1,062 exhibitor companies, Europort 2013 played host to a record number of 16 country pavilions.
Konstantine Markelov, Vice-Governor of the Astrakhan Region, Russian Federation, came seeking partners to develop regional shipbuilding. He reported a “huge number of fruitful meetings”. “We have already agreed with several partners to jointly realize projects in Astrakhan,” he said. “We would like to combine our efforts, to create a Russian-Dutch shipbuilding cluster in Astrakhan.”
A Future Pioneers Award provided a fitting finale on the closing day of Europort 2013, Friday 8 November in Rotterdam, as four students from the HZ University of Applied Sciences were recognised for engineering ingenuity that also offers environmentally-friendly solutions to the real world. The award went to “Hydrogen, LNG or Diesel? How to meet the new Marpol NOx Tier III requirements for a second-hand engine”.
The honour echoed sentiments expressed at Europort’s opening address by Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment of the Netherlands. Acknowledging a global shortage of seagoing and technical personnel, she said: “Human capital is our most important resource…We must do everything we can to attract talented young people.”
Europort 2013 Exhibition Manager Raymond Siliakus summed up: “It has certainly been a busy week, but it has also been rewarding to see the planning and effort put into Europort 2013 coming to fruition. We are already well underway with Europort Romania, Constanta in May (13-15) 2014, while Europort Istanbul will take place from 18 – 21 March 2015, but we also look forward to welcoming visitors to Europort 2015 (3-6 November) in our ‘home’ port of Rotterdam.”
