By Scott Baldauf
Event provides platform for opportunities and logistics discussions for professionals, decision makers, and government entities.
Aramco recently participated in the third edition of the Saudi Maritime Congress as a Strategic Sponsor, one of the largest global shipping and logistics events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two-day exhibition and conference, held on Sept. 28 and 29 at the Dhahran Expo, provided a unique platform to learn about the key opportunities in the Kingdom and a meeting place for shipping and logistics professionals, decision makers, and government entities.
The event was attended by more than 4,000, with more than 80 leading exhibitors, and more than 50 speakers.
Of Opportunity and Growth
In the keynote panel session, Fahad M. Al Abdulkareem, vice president of Industrial Services, gave an update on progress and growth opportunities in the maritime industry in the era of Saudi Vision 2030. Amer A. Amer, Aramco’s transport chief technologist, participated in a panel discussion, on the role that the shipping industry can play in the decarbonization of supply chains.
Majed A. Al Thubaiti, head of port facilities in the Aramco Marine Department, participated in a panel discussion about how to use big data and analytics to maximize asset performance. Turki Al-Shihri, director of National Maritime Academy (NMA), participated in a panel discussion about the development and training of the maritime workforce.
Fahad M. Al Abdulkareem, vice president of Industrial Services, gave an update on progress and growth opportunities in the maritime industry in the era of Saudi Vision 2030. (Photo: Mohammed Alshaikh/MPD)
“Aramco has undertaken a number of major initiatives to promote the manufacture of ships, including the King Salman Marine Industries Complex in Ras al-Khair, as well as the new complex for the manufacture of iron sheets and machinery,” said Abdulkareem.
“These initiatives not only provide necessary services to Aramco’s own business objectives in offshore oil and gas production. They also support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to foster a diversified economy that can create new jobs.”
— Fahad M. Al Abdulkareem
From Logistics to Innovation and More
The two-day conference program, which accompanies exhibits, focused on several key areas:
- The fuel revolution and the significant role the region plays in future fuels
- Innovation in technology and its application regionally
- Logistics innovation and investment both inside the Kingdom and regionally
- The offshore marine industry and its focus and future.
The Marine Department had an exhibition booth that showed the various types of vessels they operate and their sophisticated logistics supply chain, key environmental initiatives taken by the department such as the offshore waste recycling and hybrid vessels initiatives, it’s diving capabilities and high-tech equipment deployed in their diving operations, and Aramco’s oil spill capabilities.
Aramco’s Marine Department, which helped sponsor the recent meeting of the Saudi Maritime Congress, is meeting an increase in demand through the optimization of their fleet’s operations and logistics by investing in technologies and digitalization initiatives. (Photo: Mohammed Alshaikh/MPD)
About our Marine Department
At the lead of Aramco’s maritime activities, the Marine Department operates a reliable fleet of more than 300 vessels that provide a wide assortment of marine services to support the exploration, production, and transportation of oil, in and around Aramco’s offshore areas. The continuous rise in offshore activities is expected to boost the size of the future marine fleet by 50%.
The Marine Department is meeting the significant increase in demand through the optimization of their fleet’s operations and logistics by investing in technologies and digitization initiatives.
The maritime industry has an advantage for growth opportunity over other industries due to the surge in demand globally and domestically. Moving forward with our expansion and growth, localization of investments will be critical.
“The ongoing expansion of Aramco’s offshore fields to meet energy demands will yield diverse opportunities for the stakeholders in the Maritime offshore sector, which has an increasing appetite for growth worldwide,” said Marine manager Abdullah O. Al-Tewairqi.
To help Aramco meet the growing need for Marine services, the company has launched a number of strategic initiatives and partnerships with private and public entities, including the NMA to supply the market with qualified Saudi workforce, the establishment of the International Maritime Industries (IMI), which serves as the anchor project for the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services in Ras al-Khair, and the establishment of nearby facilities to manufacture steel and marine engines, creating a localized value supply chain for shipbuilding.
The Undersecretary of the Eastern Region Governorate Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed al-Batal cuts the ribbon of the opening of the Saudi Maritime Congress.
— The Arabian Sun: October 04, 2022