H.E. Rashid Al Leem, Director General from Sharjah Ports & Customs and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority has joined the speaker panel at the 2nd edition of the Port Management Strategy Summit.

An estimated allocation of $36 billion to develop the port infrastructure in the GCC region clearly reflects the ever growing nature of this industry. Besides GCC, Transnet, SA has announced to invest $4.3 billion to boost South Africa's port operations and encourage the economic growth and operational efficiency in its port terminal management. The European Commission has recently announced a new initiative to improve operations at 319 European seaports and its aim at reducing congestion across the EU. Acknowledging the recent developments in different regions the "2nd Annual Port Management Strategy Summit" will discuss on how to seize new opportunities with value-added port strategies in today's market and creating maximum impact in the business. The summit will be held on 11 - 12 February 2014 at Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

The launch edition of Ports Management Strategy Summit was held on 5 - 6 February at UAE, under the patronage of National Transport Authority, The Marine Administration of UAE & a special address by H.E. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Acting Director General, National Transport Authority, UAE. Over 100 maritime professionals and 15 thought leaders across the globe had gathered to share insights, discuss emerging trends, strategies and lesson from Port Management initiatives applied across the globe. Delegates had the opportunity to grow their network and participate in round table discussions to enhance their knowledge of best practices.

In the 2nd edition of the Port Management Strategy Summit, the attendees will gain knowledge from H.E. Rashid Al Leem, Director General from Sharjah Ports & Customs and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, Capt. Feisal A. Saad, Manager Port Operations from Ras Laffan Port, Qatar Petroleum and Christophe Piloix from Port of Marseille-Fos Authority, COO, France. Maritime professionals will get the opportunity to learn from the best practices, synchronize their thoughts and coordinate their efforts in order to strategically adapt to the current trends in port management.

The forum is open to all ministry officials, port authorities, port operators, terminal operators, marine consultants and others who are eager to learn from the best practices and coordinate their efforts in order to strategically adapt to the current trends in port management. Solution providers at the summit will get the opportunity to gather market information and to raise profile of the company in the region. The 2nd Annual Port Management Strategy Summit will help the attendees familiarize themselves with the latest technologies to improve the port operational efficiency and enhance their awareness on port performance improvement tools.