Heavyweight international line-up for India Shipping Summit

The India Shipping Summit returns to Mumbai for the eighth event on 8-10 October and this year's programme is taking a prescriptive look at the unique challenges facing India's maritime industry. The summit examines the country’s ambitions and what's realistically achievable - it's a reality check for India shipping.

However, what’s significant this year is the even more powerful line-up of high-level international participants, who are adding their very different perspective to the discussions and debates.  It truly is a global platform for everyone in the industry to focus on the real issues faced by India's maritime community and of course the opportunities.

The programme is shaping up to be one of the strongest summits in the series with the large number of high profile international operators taking part, it’s sure to present very different and unique viewpoints.
The conference sessions are covering all of the pivotal issues that India faces:

• The implications of a slower rate of growth in India
• Feeding India's ever-growing hunger for energy
• Indian shipping and the Maritime Agenda
• Foreign investments in India's infrastructure
• Human resources: taking good care of your assets
• India's shipbuilding opportunities in offshore construction

Among the key international speakers and panelists are:

Nigel Anton, Managing Director and Head of Shipping Finance, Standard Chartered Bank - a high-ranking ship financier. The UK-based bank is heavily focused on Asia and has been increasing its shipping portfolio at a time when many others are retreating. “Standard Chartered Bank is delighted to be closely associated with India Shipping Summit 2012, India is an extremely important part of our franchise and events like this bring together the key stakeholders in the maritime sector of India.” said Nigel last week.

Philip Embiricos, Director, Embiricos Shipbrokers Ltd - hailing from an illustrious Greek shipping family, Philip is a leading figure in the international shipping industry and renowned maritime author and film producer. He is passionate about the environment and the role that shipping can play in its conservation.

Peter Hinchliffe OBE, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping - the eloquent voice of the International Chamber of Shipping and its sister organisation, International Shipping Federation, whose combined membership comprises 36 national shipowners’ associations and represents around 80% of the world’s merchant tonnage.

Sadan Kaptanoglu, Owner, Kaptanoglu Holding - one of the most prominent Turkish shipowners on the global maritime scene, an active member of the Turkish Chamber of Shipping. The Group diversified its holdings into ship operations, building and repairs through to the energy, construction and tourism sectors.

James Leake, Head of Research, ICAP Hyde – a leading industry analyst who heads the growing team of ICAP Shipping Research, dedicated to delivering market intelligence combined with market-leading analysis to leverage commercial advantage for its clients.

Robert Lorenz-Meyer, Managing Partner, Ernst Russ GmbH & Co KG - is at the helm of one of Germany’s oldest family-run shipping groups, Ernst Russ. Robert is responsible for the development of the Group’s Shipping Network, in particular in the Far East, with offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
Philippe Louis-Dreyfus, President, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs - comes from a venerable shipping company which has interests in bulk cargo, ferry and offshore shipping. He is Past President of the European Community Shipowner’s Association (ECSA) and has been involved in many high-level international negotiations.

Richard Sadler, CEO, Lloyd's Register – is a firm believer in the role of class and shipping’s chain of responsibility. “India is a major and growing player in shipping and commodities, I am looking forward to taking part in the India Shipping Summit” commented Richard.

India’s strong economic growth rate has stimulated considerable interest from the international communities but the cooling down of the Chinese economy and slow development of infrastructure has served to dampen the shipping market’s immediate prospects. Nevertheless, despite the depressed market, there are new and more creative strategies being developed by the operators and many are positioning for the upturn when it comes.

It promises to be another very stimulating event where the world of shipping gets together with the key Indian maritime stakeholders, policy makers and industry organisations to explore new potential initiatives.

For more details visit indiashippingsummit.com or please contact Jon Chaplin, Managing Director, NHST Events at jon.chaplin@nhstevents.com or John Foreman, Head of Marketing at jforeman@seatrade-global.com.