Three major Bahrain-based companies are leading a regional maritime business drive at the Middle East’s mainline industry event being held in Dubai this December. Atlas Copco, Yellow Springs Instruments (YSI) and Hidd’s Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) are going all-out to win support for their new equipment and facilities initiatives at Seatrade Middle East Maritime at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 4-6.

Atlas Copco will use SMEM to win contracts for its dual output booster as regional ship owners, yards and dry docks increase investment in their facilities.

“We want to gain market share leadership of on-board compressed air equipment,” said Ben Van Reybroeck, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Services Middle East. “The number of ship owners making purchase decisions of on-board compressed air equipment is increasing and we intend to be leaders in this highly fragmented segment. SMEM will introduce us to our required audience.”

At SMEM, YSI Environmental hopes to demonstrate how its new water quality monitoring optical sensors will further healthy, safety and quality among the region’s sea-faring community.

“The Middle East is a growing market for us,” said Hassan Alsalem, YSI’s Regional Manager. “At SMEM we will experiment with a new audience – one that is extremely intelligent and understands technology-based maritime applications. We are keen on addressing this specialised audience.”

YSI has dealers in most GCC and Arab countries but are looking to expanding their channels throughout the Middle east and North Africa region. At SMEM they will be displaying their recently launched V2 series of Multiparameter Water Quality Sonde and ROX (Optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor).

For ASRY, the stakes are high, as analysts predict that the region’s dry dock capacity will increase over the next five to seven years. “This is a substantial rise in shiprepair capacity and indicated costs are that these new facilities will cost over US$ 2.25 billion, an extraordinary amount of money to be invested in a highly competitive market,” said a senior spokesperson from ASRY.

ASRY is part of the growth constructing a new repair slipway with two side transfers, expected to be complete by July 2007.

“We intend to highlight our modern world-class facilities at SMEM,” explained the spokesperson, “and this is reflected in the fact vessels from all over the world come in for repairs. We hope that added investment will help keep afloat not just our yard but all the others coming up in the region.”

SMEM 2006 is set for its largest showing in the event’s history with over 250 exhibitors from 32 countries confirmed, including national pavilions from France, Germany and Pakistan.

“The growth in SMEM reflects surging fortunes for the maritime industry on a global and regional level,” explained Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade – the international maritime publisher and events organiser behind SMEM.

“While more than a third of the exhibitor profile emanates from within the Middle East, the strong international presence holds out major networking opportunities for the creation of partnerships, joint ventures and agency agreements among between regional participants and their overseas counterparts. We anticipate some exciting business initiatives will result.”

A three-pronged conference programme will run alongside SMEM 2006 which will include dedicated segments for the cruise, general shipping and SuperYacht sectors.

Meanwhile, the third Seatrade Dubai International Maritime Awards (DIMAs) will be presented at a gala dinner to coincide with SMEM 2006. The awards are the leading honours recognizing top industry achievers in West and Central Asia.