Global ports, shipping, maritime trade logistics and supply chain event will be held 7 - 9 December in Dubai and co-located for the first time with the Seatrade portfolio of maritime events

19 January 2020 – TOC Middle East returns to Dubai in 2020, taking place for the first time as part of UAE Maritime Week  at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre, co-located with Expo 2020 Dubai – promoted as “the world’s greatest show”.

As part of the global portfolio of TOC conferences and exhibitions that champion ports and terminals as key enablers of maritime trade and supply chains, the 5th TOC Middle East will bring together cargo owners, ocean and land carriers, port operators and other stakeholder groups to discuss challenges and opportunities for the Middle East nations and their international trade partners, including the India Sub-continent and Africa. The exhibition will host the world’s leading suppliers of hardware, software, digital, automation and autonomous smart solutions for modern port, terminal and trade logistics operations.

TOC Middle East is one of several flagship events being staged during UAE Maritime Week, which is hosted by Dubai Maritime City Authority. Other events taking place during the week include Seatrade Maritime Awards Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, Seatrade Maritime Middle East and Seatrade ShipTech Middle East.

The Middle East has witnessed significant investment in new and upgraded port and terminal facilities over recent years, including adoption of some of the world’s most advanced automation and digitalisation technologies. Port volumes across the region are tipped to be among the fastest growing in the world over the coming few years according to market analyst Drewry, which forecasts growth of 5.1% from 69 million TEU in 2018 to 89 million TEU by 2023.

Exploring the regional outlook for port operations, shipping networks and maritime clusters, including the evolving role of ports and terminals as supply chain and trade logistics hubs, will be a central theme at the 2020 conference. Recently, TOC was pleased to present Abu Dhabi Ports with the award as Port & Terminal Operator of the Year at the 2019 Seatrade Maritime Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa Awards. TOC Middle East 2020 will gather leading port and terminal operators from across all three regions to explore technology, operational best practice, finance and business development priorities. As part of the programme, there will be a special focus on One Belt One Road (OBOR) and other government-level investments in new corridors and clusters that are set to change the face of global trade.

As with all TOC events in 2020, TOC Middle East 2020 will also provide a platform to explore accelerating technology innovation, including the new ecosystem of start-ups, scale-ups, incubators and accelerators as the industry seeks new solutions for eco-efficiency, clean energy, supply chain visibility and business process efficiency, regulatory compliance, safety, security and more.

“It’s an honour to bring the TOC brand back to the Middle East and join the UAE Maritime Week,” said Paul Holloway, TOC Event Director. “We are looking forward to staging cutting edge business, technical and technology debates in a region we have not visited for 4 years. The decision to return was driven by demand, particularly from the exhibitors who have welcomed the news that we are back in the region. This occasion is particularly exciting as it is co-located with Expo 2020, a showcase of global innovation and creativity'.