Surging demand suggests NEVA 2017 set for early space sell-out

20 July, 2017 – The last few exhibition spaces are disappearing at an extraordinarily early stage for NEVA 2017 – 14th International Maritime Exhibition and Conferences of Russia, which is set to take place in St. Petersburg, between 19-22 September.

Organisers Dolphin Exhibitions reports that over 97% of stand space is already reserved a full two months before doors open at the Expoforum Convention Centre near Pulkovo International Airport, where expectations are high that the number of visitors to this year’s NEVA will once again top the 15,000-mark.

“A few premium location stands remain for those yet to confirm their position in the Russian maritime market. I am happy to say that it is not too late to book space for NEVA this year, but at the current pace, we expect the remaining few positions to be reserved soon, probably before the end of July,” says Matthew White, General Director, Dolphin Exhibitions.

In a latest demonstration that NEVA 17 is attracting influential international partners, Iceland’s newly-formed KNARR Maritime Group has become a first-time exhibitor. The organisation, which has strong governmental support, was created in early 2017 when six Icelandic fisheries and fishing technology companies joined forces to offer design, construction and equipment services.

The urgent need to modernise Russia’s fishing fleet has also encouraged a strong presence from Norway, with Innovation Norway, the Norwegian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and the Norwegian Russian Consulate occupying a new Norwegian National Pavilion. Ten of the 18 participating companies are active in either vessel building or fishery fleet equipment. NEVA also attracted official support from the Russian Federation Ministry of Agriculture for the first time, to sit alongside its traditional backing by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign affairs.

Strong signs that other business opportunities in Russia are being recognised come from Turkey, where the Istanbul Exporters’ Association recently requested that its Pavilion be one third larger to accommodate more participants. Turkish Shipyards have also independently confirmed space, with Hat-San and Kuzey Star among the most recent additions. The Turkish Shipbuilders Association – GISBIR, is also exhibiting.

In addition, White reports that the Chinese Pavilion expanded to just under 300 square metres in recent weeks to welcome China’s ever-growing list of confirmed exhibitors. Extra space is also provisionally planned to accommodate increased demand for this year’s showing of outside exhibits, located just in front of the main NEVA entrances between Halls F and G, a prime location for visitor flow exposure.

Meanwhile, the finishing touches are being put to NEVA 2017’s parallel Conference Programme, which offers unrivalled insight into Russia’s maritime, inland shipping and ports industries and participation by the highest echelons among business and government. Senior representation is also confirmed by the International Maritime Organisation, as well as Christo Lampridis, Secretary General of Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investments in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece and Manuela Schwesig, Minister President of Germany’s Mecklenberg-Vorpommern.

New additions to the Programme this year include a Disruptive Technology session devised by the National Technology Initiative MARINET working group to explore the direction of breakthrough technologies within the global marine industry in the coming decades. The session will bring leading Russian developers and manufacturers together to discuss innovative shipbuilding, technologies for exploring and developing ocean resources, shipping and e-navigation.

International participants are also being given the opportunity to drive the debate, notably through the ‘Optimisation of Design Procedures for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair’ round table organised by software Netherlands-based developer CADMATIC in association with the Makarov State University. The conference agenda also includes a special Russian-Finland Seminar for Cooperation in Shipbuilding, while Rostock Business will stage its own event to highlight opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

Among other programme highlights will be a round table introduced by USC Vice President for technical resources and supply management, A.V. Businov, covering ‘Criteria for Localisation of Shipbuilding Production and Ship Equipment Manufacturing in the Russian Federation’. Also of note is the 2nd International Conference ‘Renewing the Fishery and Fish Research Fleet’, focusing on the developments in shipbuilding, ship machinery and equipment production that are urgently required to meet the needs of Russia’s Fishery Industry.