Maritime Week 2018

The year 2018 starts in full swing at the Mauritius Port Authority with various activities to showcase that Port Louis is on the way to become a maritime hub in this region of the world. In this context, a Maritime Week is planned to take place from Monday 22nd 2017 to Friday 26th January 2018 at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Balaclava.

This week-long event is set to present Port Louis harbour as the preferred maritime gateway in the region for five main sectors, namely, container transshipment, bunkering, cruise tourism, seafood and ancillary port services.

The Maritime Week will integrate the Indian Ocean Ports and Logistics (IOPL) 2018 Conference and Exhibition, the largest annual container port, transport and logistics exhibition and conference in the Indian Ocean region organised by Transport Events – now in its 12th successful year.

Senior C-level port executives will interact with the region’s leading shippers, cargo owners, importers/exporters, shipping lines, freight forwarders, logistics companies, ports, terminal operating companies, railway operators, port equipment and service suppliers from the Indian Ocean islands and countries from Africa, Europe and Asia.

To ensure productive networking and exchange of ideas during the Mauritius Maritime Week 2018, MPA and Transport Events have planned the following:

• A Technical Site Visit to Port Louis’ port facilities, container terminals and logistics centres including the official inauguration of the new extended quay and ship to shore cranes at the Mauritius Container Terminal;

• CEO Forum themed “Mauritius as the preferred regional maritime gateway”;

• The Indian Ocean Ports and Logistics Exhibition and Conference on Wednesday and Thursday; and

• To highlight Mauritius’ unique position as the hub for international cruise, a showcase on Vanilla Islands incorporating a visit to the Christian Decotter Cruise Terminal and an exciting opportunity to enjoy a Catamaran cruise to the beautiful Indian Ocean islands.

Furthermore, the two-day IOPL Conference will feature 35 world class conference speakers addressing issues, challenges, solutions and innovations in port operations, shipping, supply chain and logistics strategies in the Indian Ocean region.

There will also be commercial opportunities for 50 exhibitors and sponsors to network directly with delegates at this major annual international maritime transport trade event for the Indian Ocean islands.

The Chairman of the MPA, Ramalingum Maistry gives more details

What is the objective behind the organisation of the Marine Week?
The Mauritius Maritime Week (MMW) 2018 is the first-ever event of its kind to be held in Mauritius; the main aim of the MMW 2018 is to showcase Port Louis Harbour as the preferred maritime gateway in the region for five main sectors, namely:

• Container transshipment;

• Bunkering;

• Cruise tourism;

• Seafood; and

• Ancillary port services.

The MMW 2018 will integrate the Indian Ocean Ports and Logistics (IOPL) 2018 Conference and Exhibition, the largest annual container port, transport and logistics exhibition and conference in the Indian Ocean region organised by Transport Events Management Ltd (TEML), Malaysia – now in its 12th successful year.

The conference segment of the MMW 2018 will see the participation of renowned and international speakers from across the globe, including amongst others:

• Mr Justin MURPHY, Chief Executive Officer, The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), United Kingdom

• Captain K. SUBRAMANIAM, General Manager, Port Klang Authority, Malaysia

• Mrs Nozipho MDAWE, Secretary-General, Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), Kenya

• Ms Aradhana KHOWALA, CEO Aptamind, United Kingdom

Why such an event and what do you want to achieve?
“This event will see senior C-level port executives interact with the region’s leading shippers, cargo owners, importers/exporters, shipping lines, freight forwarders, logistics companies, ports, terminal operating companies, railway operators, port equipment and service suppliers from the Indian Ocean islands and countries from Africa, Europe and Asia.”

To ensure productive networking and exchange of ideas during the MMW 2018, MPA and TEML have planned the following:

• A Technical Site Visit to Port Louis’ port facilities, container terminals and logistics centres including the official inauguration of the new extended quay and ship to shore cranes at the Mauritius Container Terminal;

• CEO Forum themed “Mauritius as the preferred regional maritime gateway”;

• The Indian Ocean Ports and Logistics Exhibition and Conference on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th January 2018; and

• To highlight Mauritius’ unique position as the hub for international cruise, a showcase on Vanilla Islands incorporating a visit to the Christian Decotter Cruise Terminal and an exciting opportunity to enjoy a Catamaran cruise to the beautiful Indian Ocean islands on Friday.

Furthermore, the two-day IOPL Conference will feature 35 world class conference speakers addressing issues, challenges, solutions and innovations in port operations, shipping, supply chain and logistics strategies in the Indian Ocean region.

There will also be commercial opportunities for 50 exhibitors and sponsors to network directly with delegates at this major annual international maritime transport trade event for the Indian Ocean islands.

The MPA is a restricted area

Major components of the MMW 2018 will be held at the Ravenala Hotel in Balaclava and it includes the IOPL exhibition on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th January. This exhibition will be open to the public and entrance will be free.

With regards to activities that will take place within the port area, appropriate measures have been put in place so as to enable:

a) well-planned and guided technical site visits for registered delegates of the MMW 2018 on Tuesday 23rd January in collaboration with private operators in the operational and commercial areas of selected facilities; and

b) guided tours for HSC/tertiary students on Monday 22nd January at selected facilities and infrastructures within the port area to offer these students a glimpse on possible career paths they may opt for within the ports industry.

Importance of the Ocean in Mauritian economy

Moreover, the MPA in collaboration with the British Council and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research also launched an essay competition for students aged 16 to 25 on the topic: “Why is the ocean so important to the Mauritian economy?”, with the aim of engaging and encouraging students to think about our promising Blue Economy and the multitude of possibilities it will offer.