Breakbulk Voices

This session examines how sanctions compliance plays out in maritime operations in the Gulf region, through the lens of current US, EU and UN sanctions regimes. Rather than treating compliance as a standalone issue, the discussion follows how sanctions considerations move through everyday shipping, trading and insurance activity.
 

With no clear consensus on the fuel of the future, operators face high-stakes choices: invest now in hydrogen, e-fuels, or LNG, or wait for certainty. This session places fuels at the heart of the sustainability debate, examining cost pressures, financing challenges, and whether new technologies are truly bankable. It will also address evolving policy frameworks, ESG standards, and port restrictions on “dirty” vessels, asking what’s really driving investment decisions – and whether fuels are a margin-killer or the next source of competitive advantage. 

As project cargo volumes grow consistently across GCC ports, the focus is shifting beyond volume to capability. This session examines market trends, changing shipper priorities, and the critical role of ports, logistics partners, and authorities in sustaining breakbulk growth over the next decade.

The UAE has become a pioneer in integrating People of Determination into the workforce, with initiatives such as Abu Dhabi Ports’ collaboration with ZHO. This session highlights how the logistics industry can unlock talent, foster inclusion, and build models that set a global benchmark for accessibility and opportunity.

An outlook on project cargo developments in Tunisia and Libya from 2026 to 2030, exploring opportunities across energy, oil & gas, renewables and major infrastructure projects. The session will cover key cargo flows, main industry players and the region’s long-term potential.

This session will explore practical strategies to safeguard supply chains in the Middle East, focusing on mitigating cargo theft risks and enhancing operational resilience for transport operators.

This seminar explores how exposure conditions drive deterioration in Middle Eastern port structures, and presents key aspects of international best practices for inspection, assessment, repair/refurbishment and asset management to support sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective maintenance and refurbishment.