Maritima 2008

A SHOW RESOLUTELY ANCHORED IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ECONOMIC SCENE

With the opening of Maritima just two months away, those in the profession are more mobilised than ever. While the show’s “historic” exhibitors have come forward to answer the organisers’ call, the show has at the same time been developing as well around new segments and into the international market.

With a renewed and diversified offer, Maritima 2008 will mark a turning point in the evolution of this young, expanding show.

RISING FIGURES

200 exhibitors will be coming to Maritima 2008, 25% more than during the last exhibition in 2006.

Among the exhibitors, many “newcomers” are making their dramatic entrance into the show, attesting both to the appeal of the event and to the dynamism of the industry.

Among these 40% new exhibitors, we can cite companies such as: Ancr’est and Nautiscaphe, specialists in anchorage work respectful of the sea bed; Atell for pumping and purification activities, or further still Axilab, the group from Nantes that has been acting to deal with the acoustic problems in shipbuilding. Among the top companies in the industry, we find such groups as SPIE, the giant in electrotechnical engineering, communications and installations; Aker Yards, one of the most important shipyard centres in the North Sea; or still further yet, Voith Turbo or Fenwick Linde Hydraulics.

Other major characteristics of the 2008 show: the number of international exhibitors has more than tripled and passed from 3 to 10% between 2006 and 2008. Germany, with for example Deutz engines and Alcan Singen panel composites… Belgium with Tresco, a reference for the tools and software needed for inland navigation…the Netherlands with Ravestein, builder of pontoons and port Roll on/Roll off ramps… Great Britain with Bellingham which builds ports and marinas all over the world… Italy with Working Boat World… and Denmark with Selco, rounds out the group of European countries present.
Outside Europe, we note as well the presence of Chinese shipyards, and the New Zealand
the manufacturer of bow thrusters, Hamilton, who are taking part for the first time.

Increasing as well is the sample of sectors represented at the show. Maritima this year numbers 12 industry sectors. Beside the traditional shipyards, engine builders, deck fittings, electronics and onboard communication… Sectors have been developed this year such as equipment and port services, safety and activities linked to the protection of the environment, surveys and project management or further still naval architecture.

INDUSTRY SPIRIT

A major platform for the industry, Maritima has attracted new exhibitors while winning the support of the older ones.

A common denominator for all the players in the industry “maritime and coastal "economies”, the show of course welcomes the trade and institutional organisations that encourage and support professionals from these sectors. Thus at Maritima 2008, we find the Institut Français des Architectes Navals (IFAN) and the French Cluster Maritime which gathers under its flag the Marine Nationale, the Armateurs de France, the Chambre Syndicale des Chantiers Navals, the Comité National des Pêches, the Bureau de Promotion du Short Sea, to mention but a few…

In addition, the visitors will meet more than 50 companies gathered at regional group stands on the initiative of the local authorities like the Pays de la Loire pavilion, or trade associations like Bretagne Pole Naval, the Interprofession du Port de Concarneau, or the Pole Naval du Languedoc Roussillon.

We will also note this year the presence of the major western ports like La Rochelle, Maritima regular, and Nantes/Saint Nazaire, which through their participation in the show assure the promotion of their infrastructures dedicated to shipbuilding/repairing and the companies that these Meccas of the French maritime economy harbour.

Lastly, the success and appeal of Maritima would not be what they are without the presence of its most loyal exhibitors who are, among others, the shipyards Ocea, Gatto, Glehen, Gamelin, Piriou…as well as Cummins Diesel, Nanni Industries, Moteurs Baudouin, MTU France, Schottel, Simrad, Themys, Degaie Equipement Portuaire, Wartsila and Navelec.