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 Center, co-located with Expo 2020 Dubai promoted as the worlds biggest 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 fifth TOC Middle East will bring collectively cargo owners, ocean and land carriers, port operators and different stakeholder companies to talk about challenges and chances for the Middle East countries and their global trade partners, together with the India Sub-continent and Africa. The exhibition will host the worlds leading suppliers of hardware, software, digital, automation and independent smart solutions for cutting-edge port, terminal and trade logistics operations.

TOC Middle East is one of various flagship events being staged at the time of UAE Maritime Week, which is hosted by Dubai Maritime City Authority. Other occasions taking place throughout the week encompass Seatrade Maritime Awards Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, Seatrade Maritime Middle East and Seatrade ShipTech Middle East.

The Middle East has witnessed tremendous investment in new and upgraded port and terminal amenities over current years, which includes adoption of some of the worlds most advanced automation and digitization technologies. Port volumes throughout the region are tipped to be among the quickest developing in the world over the coming few years in accordance to market analyst Drewry, which forecasts boom 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 thrilled 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 throughout all three regions to discover technology, operational excellent practice, finance and business improvement priorities. As part of the programme, there will be a unique focus on One Belt One Road (OBOR) and other government-level investments in new corridors and clusters that are set to alternate the face of international trade.

As with all TOC events in 2020, TOC Middle East 2020 will also grant a platform to explore accelerating technology innovation, which includes 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 method efficiency, regulatory compliance, safety, protection and more.

Its an honor to deliver the TOC brand back to the Middle East and join the UAE Maritime Week, stated Paul Holloway, TOC Event Director. We are looking ahead to staging ultra modern business, technical and technology debates in an area we have not visited for four years. The decision to return was pushed by demand, specifically from the exhibitors who have welcomed the news that we are back in the region. This event is especially exciting as it is co-located with Expo 2020, an exhibit of international innovation and creativity".