Breakbulk Asia Posts 40 Percent Attendance Increase for 2011, Will Launch New Shanghai Conference in 2012

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a highly successful third Breakbulk Asia event in Singapore Jan. 24-26, UBM Global Trade will inaugurate Breakbulk China in Shanghai in early 2012, bringing the largest event in the heavy-lift, project cargo and breakbulk maritime sector to the world's largest port city.

The recent Breakbulk Asia Conference and Exhibition in Singapore experienced record increases of 40 percent in attendance and 30 percent in exhibitors over the 2010 event. Breakbulk Asia 2011 addressed strategies for sustained growth as well as emerging market opportunities for the breakbulk and project cargo shipping sectors.  

"We are delighted with the success of Breakbulk Asia this year in terms of both exhibition and attendance," said Gregory March, Asia event director, Breakbulk. "The extensive attendee list – including representatives from 53 countries including many attendees from key Asian breakbulk markets Korea, Japan, China, Australia and Indonesia – reflects the marketing investment we continue to put into these key regions and our events globally.

"This growth and our continued research in China now aligns us perfectly for our inaugural Breakbulk China event at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Feb. 28 – March 1, 2012. Seventy percent of Breakbulk Asia exhibitors have already booked their participation and we look forward to welcoming many more to Breakbulk China 2012," March said.

In addition to an economic overview of Asian breakbulk markets, Breakbulk Asia 2011 examined industry challenges of piracy, vessel choice, operating in locations having minimal infrastructure and common complications between the bidding process and contract implementation. International breakbulk industry issues ranged from Australia's quarantine regulations to the growth plans of India and the Port of Shanghai.

Roundtable discussions and keynote speakers included industry leaders such as:

-- Christopher Palsson, director, site manager, maritime research and consultancy, IHS Fairplay.

-- Yuan Jinghua, deputy general operations manager, Shanghai International Port Group.

-- Karsten von Hoesslin, senior analyst, MSS, Risk Intelligence.

Breakbulk Asia provides a forum for shippers to develop relationships with the leading carriers, forwarders, ports, terminals and packers that have the expertise and resources to handle oversized cargoes with unique handling requirements. This year, the conference held its first Education Day, a day-long course for industry newcomers addressing the unique aspects of the breakbulk and heavy-lift industry.

Breakbulk Asia is one of three annual breakbulk and project cargo transportation conferences organized by the Breakbulk (www.breakbulk.com) division of UBM Global Trade. The company also produces the annual Breakbulk Europe Transportation Conference and Exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium, and the Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference and Exhibition, held alternately each year in Houston or New Orleans. For more information on these events, please visit www.breakbulk.com/events.

About Breakbulk -- The Breakbulk (www.breakbulk.com) division of UBM Global Trade has been the most trusted source of intelligence for the breakbulk and project cargo industry since its first breakbulk conference in 1989. The Breakbulk division includes the bimonthly Breakbulk Magazine, three annual conferences, access to all business news articles, indices, archives and more on Breakbulk.com and the weekly e-newsletter, Breakbulk Newswire. Authoritative editorial content in the forms of daily news and in-depth analysis ensure Breakbulk members have the data and information necessary to understand the issues facing the breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo shipping sectors. For membership information visit www.breakbulk.com/membership.

About UBM Global Trade -- UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).

SOURCE Breakbulk Events