THE next decade is likely to see a closer alignment of the maritime and logistics sectors.

This alignment will coincide with two trends of global significance that will increasingly shape the decisions we take about investment in the infrastructure needed to keep maritime and logistics businesses active.

These trends are, firstly, a deeper concern for sustainability — most obviously in the need to protect a vulnerable environment — and, second, a keener perception of the impact of next-generation technologies on the world of work, particularly related to transportation.

There is nowhere better to explore the interaction of sustainability, new technologies and changes to employment than in a rapidly expanding economy that is open to fresh ideas and ready to support them financially.

The government of Qatar, led by Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, has shown its willingness to take on huge projects such as the construction of a fleet of sporting stadiums of regional and international standing and the development of the new Hamad Port.

Qatar’s ambition is a powerful catalyst for development that will make the 2020s a decade of transition to intelligent supply chains.

Lloyd’s List is leading an investigation into the changing maritime and logistics worlds in February in a summit that brings together the senior voices from across Qatar and beyond.

These include Mwani Qatar, the national ports management business that is supporting the summit; Qatar Petroleum, the state-owned petroleum company; the terminal operator QTerminals; Gulf Warehousing Company and Qatar Free Zones Authority. Regional leads from transport ministries, classification, liner shipping, and maritime intelligence will also be contributing to this exciting new exploration of maritime and logistics in the decade ahead.

Delegates at this summit will hear how shipping is transforming in fuels and propulsion systems, trading patterns and ports and terminals requirements; how energy suppliers are realigning their businesses to meet new expectations; how digital processes are revolutionising the supply chain from manufacturer through to end-user; and how the culture of safety will influence every decision taken throughout the logistics process.

The Qatar Maritime and Logistics Summit 2020 will identify which trends are likely to have the greatest impact on transportation in the Middle East region and world-wide, and how swiftly we will need to act on these trends to stay in business.

The Qatar Maritime & Logistics Summit will be held at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha on Tuesday February 18, with guided tours and a gala dinner on Wednesday February 19, 2020.

For further details and registration, click here.