From 3 – 6 November 2015, Europort, organised in the world port city of Rotterdam, will again be the meeting place for the international maritime industry. 1, 100 exhibitors from 40 countries will present their innovative technology against the background of one of the most versatile maritime clusters in the world.
Europort has a strong focus on innovative technology and complex shipbuilding covering offshore, dredging, navy, fishery, construction vessels, workboats, inland navigation and super yachts.
The key themes to be explored during Europort in 2015 are aligned with those areas of most importance and interest to the international maritime community, especially those which pose challenges for and offer opportunities for the future.
Presenting concepts in technological leadership
Advanced technology can open up new markets and stimulate sustainable solutions that deliver increased efficiency and profitability. Europort facilitates the development and distribution of ground-breaking technologies that push the parameters of tomorrow for the maritime sector. Europort 2015 will showcase complex special vessels and progressive new deep-water systems concepts, retrofitting, IT systems, heavy lifting, solutions for safety and regulatory compliance, new materials and innovative ship designs.
Exploring ship efficiency solutions
The maritime industry has been presented with numerous challenges over the past few years, with rapid fleet growth and the financial crisis dampening the market. It now sees signs of a better balance between fleet expansion and trade growth, but the raft of environmental regulations on the horizon are throwing up other considerations that are sharpening company strategies on cost reduction. Ship efficiency solutions are driving commercial decisions, and the latest developments will be presented at Europort 2015: integrated and intelligent systems, smart ships, power optimisation, remote controlled vessels, lifecycle support, total cost of ownership and effective maintenance strategies.
Identifying new market opportunities
There are niche markets within the industry that offer opportunities for new business development. Europort will highlight the market opportunities available within these sectors including: offshore wind, inland shipping within BRIC countries, deep-sea mining, arctic shipping and LNG. Establishing technological partnerships, gaining improved market access, securing financial resources, and public/private partnerships will also feature on the agenda at Europort in 2015.
Highlighting human capital
In leading the discussion on the human capital challenges faced by the industry, Europort will cover factors such as: methods to enhance maritime proficiency and maintain skills, how to involve young talent, and best practices concerning recruitment and retention. Europort is highlighting the human capital challenge with an entire day dedicated to this theme; Friday 6 November. Particular topics for discussion will include ways in which the industry can appeal to young talent and how the industry can provide the types of services those entering the industry have come to expect from competing land-based careers. See the programme overview for more details.
Innovations
Click here for a list of all of the innovations that have been submitted by Europort 2015 exhibitors.
Europort 2015 Programme
The Europort 2015 programme will include many high level conferences, masterclasses and matchmaking sessions, not to mention the Maritime Awards Gala, the Europort Cruise party and numerous networking gatherings.
Click here for the complete programme
Conferences
Mare Forum Shipfinance 2015
The 15th Mare Forum Shipfinance 2015 “Ship owners versus Capital Providers” on Monday 2nd November at the Hilton Hotel Rotterdam, will once again gather an impressive number of leading Dutch and international ship owners, capital providers and other members of the international maritime community. The event will provide an active forum for learning about the pertinent themes for the industry in relation to ship-finance and ship-investments, as well as ample opportunity for discussion and networking.
The open approach employed by Mare Forum produces a wonderful environment for brainstorming, sharing and improving knowledge and stimulating discussion with both the speakers/panellists and the audience contributing to a day packed with the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience. Click here for more information.
Brazil Network Day (BND)
New to the Europort programme for 2015 is the Brazil Network Day (BND). The 9th edition of this event will take place during the opening day of Europort 2015.
Organized twice a year since 2011, BND is a proactive initiative of the Embassy of Brazil in The Hague. BND Rotterdam will be organised in cooperation with Rotterdam Partners, Ahoy and in partnership with KPMG, Baker McKenzie, Intertrust, NeoGrid and KLM.
BND Rotterdam will include the participation of a large Brazilian trade delegation coming from Rio de Janeiro State to Europort 2015, providing an update on business opportunities in Brazil for companies aiming or already doing business in the country, as well as an unrivalled networking environment. Click here for more information.
Energy Efficient Ships 2015 Conference
Also new to the programme this year is the Energy Efficient Ships 2015 conference, organised by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) on the 4th of November.
International regulation and fierce global competition means that the maritime industry must design, build and operate more energy efficient ships. A ship’s energy-efficiency rating is increasingly becoming an important factor in charterer decision-making.
A wide range of options are available to improve vessel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. This international conference, seeks to provide information on some of these options and to explore the key issues and themes that are relevant to designers, builders, owners and operators who are seeking to increase energy efficiency within the maritime sector. The conference will take place in the Conference Room of the Congress & Meeting Centre in Ahoy Rotterdam. Click here for more information.
CEDA Dredging Days
CEDA Dredging Days, CEDA’s trademark event, has been the primary international dredging conference in the CEDA region for many years. It is widely considered as an invaluable forum for leading researchers and industry experts to discuss and share dredging challenges, solutions and experiences.
The 2015 conference will focus on innovative dredging solutions for ports and the latest technical and scientific developments will be presented. In addition, CEDA Dredging Days 2015 will cover best practice relating to maintenance and capital dredging in ports and access channels and the management of sediments, including the sediment balance of the broader port environment. The conference will take place on 5 and 6 November in the Conference Room of the Congress & Meeting Centre in Ahoy Rotterdam. Click here for more information.
Europort Masterclasses
Among the innovations featuring in the 2015 programme are the Europort Masterclasses. Six inspiring Masterclasses, each one covering a different industry topic with leading professionals sharing their knowledge and expertise with participants. In just three hours attendees will learn about the newest technologies and innovations, get an insight into future developments and interact with the industry’s leading figures.
The Europort Masterclasses are an initiative of Ahoy Rotterdam – organiser of Europort – and Netherlands Maritime Technology. Each Masterclass has its own theme and target audience:
Tuesday 3 November: Leadership through Design
- Masterclass ‘Vessels for the Future’
Wednesday 4 November: Leadership through Technology
- Masterclass ‘Autonomy in Shipping; Onshore in Control’
- Masterclass ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Automation in Manufacturing’
Thursday 5 November: Leadership through Efficiency
- Masterclass ‘Condition Based Maintenance, Towards Zero Down Time’
- Masterclass ‘Fuel Strategy, A Long Term Perspective’
Friday 6 November: Leadership through People
- Masterclass ‘Attracting and Retaining the Talent Your Company Needs’
Click here for more information.
Seminars & meetings
Speakers’ Corner
The speakers’ corner, located in Ahoy Plaza, will allow exhibitors the opportunity to give technical presentations, of 20 minutes duration, every day during the opening times of the exhibition. The speakers’ corner is free to visit.
Lloyd’s Register Innovation Seminar
The History of humanity is essentially a long list of developments that were thought to be impossible, right up to the point when they became reality. This afternoon seminar includes speakers from the Marine Industry as well as an ‘outside’ view on the subject, highlighting developments and future technology, as well as providing a differentiated view on innovative thought: Thinking in solutions rather than just possibilities. The seminar will take place on Tuesday 3 November in Dock 3 of the Congress & Meeting Centre of Ahoy Rotterdam and can be visited free of charge (registration required).
Seminar on ECDIS by the UK Hydrographic Office
Every day at sea, critical decisions are made. Living with ECDIS requires the ship manager and the ship’s officers to remain aware of changes in legal requirements, maintenance issues, chart data considerations and ECDIS management.
On the occasion of Europort 2015, The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) will be providing a free seminar on 5 November to highlight the ongoing requirements when living with ECDIS, following on from implementation. The responsibilities of shipping companies will be highlighted and discussed with the attendees, with questions and comments encouraged throughout the seminar to make the event interactive. The seminar will be presented by Capt. Paul Hailwood who will draw on his extensive experience with assisting shipping companies in the adoption and ongoing management of ECDIS.
This seminar will benefit any person involved in the shipping industry including, managers, owners, ship personnel, regulators and auditors. The seminar can be attended free of charge (registration is required).
Activities
Exposition of Student Innovation
Students of various universities and colleges will show their innovative concepts for the maritime industry in the corridor of hall 7 and hall 8.
YoungShip Rotterdam Seminar Europort 2015; ‘Key success factors to kick-start your maritime career’
Recently graduated students and young professionals are faced with numerous opportunities to get their careers started, whether applying directly for a specific job vacancy or trying to enrol in a trainee programme. During the seminar young maritime professionals and employers will have an open (panel) discussion on how to start a successful career in the maritime industry, with the aim of helping young professionals in the early stage of their working life and to attract a new generation of professionals into the maritime industry.
Job Route
In the Maritime & Offshore Career newspaper, distributed at the entrances of Europort, visitors can find a ‘Job Route’ guiding them to many interesting companies offering career opportunities. The ‘Job Route’ is organised by Navingo.
Social events
Maritime Awards Gala
Over the past ten years the gala has grown into the leading maritime event of the year where the captains of industry come together for the presentation of five maritime awards. The Maritime Awards Gala will take place on Monday 2 November at the RDM campus in Rotterdam. An admission fee is required to attend the Maritime Awards Gala. Click here for more information.
Europort Cruise Party
After closing time of the exhibition, business continues in the vibrant atmosphere of the magnificently renovated SS Rotterdam (Steam Ship Rotterdam). This legendary ship sailed off to almost every corner of the world as the former flagship of the Holland America Line. Today, the ship is back at her birth place in the city of Rotterdam and offers the perfect venue for the Europort Cruise Party on the evening of Wednesday 4 November. It will be an ideal occasion to meet industry friends while enjoying good food and drinks, overlooking the beautiful River Maas and the skyline of the dynamic city of Rotterdam.
Shuttle buses will be available after the exhibition closes to transfer visitors and exhibitors to what will be a most rewarding and stimulating evening.
Thursday night – A networking must
Whatever your plans are for Thursday 5 November, an ideal starting point will be the evening opening of Europort, taking place on the exhibition floor itself, allowing visitors to move seamlessly into the networking possibilities for which Europort is renowned.
General information about Europort 2015
Opening ceremony
Europort has an official opening ceremony on Tuesday 3 November 2015 at 10.30 hours.
During this ceremony, Bouwe Bekking, skipper of the Brunel team in the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race, will make a special appearance. In line with the Europort theme ‘Advancing maritime leadership’ he will recount his experiences as leader of the Brunel team. Four captains of industry will also give their opinion and vision on leadership within their particular field of the maritime industry.
Opening hours
Tuesday 3 November: 10:00 – 18:00 hours
Wednesday 4 November: 10:00 – 18:00 hours
Thursday 5 November: 10:00 – 22:00 hours
Friday 6 November: 10:00 – 18:00 hours
Exhibition guide & catalogue
At each of the entrances to the exhibition everyone receives an exhibition guide with exhibitor list and an overview of the conference programme. Free catalogues are available during all exhibition days at both entrances. Alternatively, this information is available in the free Europort app, which can be obtained in the Play store (Android) and App Store (Apple/iOs).
Exhibitor profile
Over 1, 100 exhibitors from 40 maritime countries and spread over 10 halls, will be showcasing their products and services in:
- Shipbuilding, repair and conversion
- Propulsion and manoeuvring
- Electronics, communication & navigation
- Environmental and auxiliary systems
- Deck, safety and specialist equipment
- Maritime services (including classification, finance, nautical services, media, government and sector associations.
Visitor profile
Europort is a must attend event for ship owners, shipyard managers, ship designers, super intendants, fleet managers, ship brokers, technical engineers, naval architects and all other maritime professionals that are involved in shipbuilding, repair or conversion.
Visitor registration
Maritime professionals can register for a free visitor pass at www.europort.nl/registration or at the entrance of the exhibition. After completing the registration each visitor will receive a digital entrance ticket. Visa application is integrated into the registration process.
Interactive exhibitor search module
Visitors can prepare their visit before arriving at the exhibition by exploring Europort’s interactive online floor plan. This floor plan includes a detailed search engine tool, allowing users to search for products/services and by company name or stand number. Europort’s exhibition ‘app’ also contains the detailed exhibitor search engine tool.
Stay tuned
Visitors and exhibitors will be informed about the latest developments during the event via a LinkedIn group, a Twitter account and a specially designed mobile app.
New-2-Market
Located within Hall 6 is a special ‘New-2-Market pavilion’, where fledgling maritime entrepreneurs can put themselves in the spotlight at minimal cost. Each of the participants will have launched their ventures after 1 January 2012 and will be newcomers to Europort.
What to eat and where
Visitors to Europort can enjoy a full range of dining options to enhance doing business, ranging from a quick bite to quality dining, depending on the needs of the individual. Facilities include Restaurant Floyd (first floor of Ahoy Plaza) and the stylishly furnished restaurant, ‘Sushitime’ (between Halls 7 and 8) where delicious freshly prepared sushi will be served from the conveyor. In self-service Restaurant Rivers in Ahoy Plaza you can find a broad assortment of sandwiches, snacks and hot dishes. A quick way to get a snack or drink are the buffets, coffee corners, snack corner or the Amstel Pub on the exhibition floor.
Rotterdam, world port, world city
Rotterdam city is young, dynamic and international. Bursting with architecture, design, restaurants, art, shops and culture it offers a host of attractions to share with your business contacts. In 2014, the New York Times, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet cited it as a ‘must visit city’. Make sure to book a long enough stay to enjoy all that the city has to offer!
