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Convention

R
epresentatives from ship Topics covered during the three the present day and the many highlights
supply companies across the days included the launch of Project and milestones which had been

world attended the 60th ISSAWatchdog (ISSA’s credit information achieved along the way.
Convention and Trade Exhibition heldand debt recovery service) by ISSA Overall, 40 accompanying persons

in Singapore in April, the diamond lawyer Bruce Hailey, and a fascinating also enjoyed a packed and varied

anniversary event being hailed a triumph.and sometimes humorous presentation programme exploring the delights of
Around 250 delegates from 50 by The Baltic Exchange’s Chris Jones, Singapore. The sight-seeing included

countries, along with a record 60 who spoke about his life in shipping and trips to Chinatown, Merlion Park,
exhibitors, attended the three-day gave an update on The Baltic’s global Marina Bay Sands Sky Park and the

event, held at the Convention Centre at operations and market review.Gardens by the Bay on day one and the
the stunning Resorts World Sentosa.tour on day two included Chinatown
“
This year’s Convention was wet market, a river cruise from Clarke
organised by the International Quay and the Malay Heritage Centre

Shipsuppliers & Services Association in and Bugis Junction.It is a wonderful
conjunction with hosts the Singapore Also included in the Convention

Association of Shipsuppliers & Services programme were many great achievement by
networking events, in particular a
(SASS). It also marked 50 yearsthe Association to
since the foundation of the State of buffet and drinks reception at the S.E.A.

Singapore and SASS moving into its Aquarium in Resorts World Sentosa, celebrate 60 years
35th year.where the common quip of the evening
of service. This
Along with the record number of on seeing all the ish was, ‘where are the
stands, there was a packed programme chips?!’
shows the important
of plenary sessions and keynote There was also a glittering closing
speakers and Andrew Tan, Chief Gala Dinner at the beautiful Shangri-
role the Association
Executive, The Maritime and Port La Hotel, at which 50 ISSA Member
Authority of Singapore (MPA) delivered Companies who had achieved long plays and will

a very informative and interesting and distinguished service within the
ship supply industry were formally continue to play
keynote speech as Guest of Honour at
the oficial opening ceremony.recognised for their achievements.

Praising the work of ISSA, he said: In addition, Captain Peter Machado, Andrew Tan, Chief
“It is a wonderful achievement by the CEO of Middle East Fuji (Dubai), was Executive, The Maritime

Association to celebrate 60 years of presented with the Shipsupplier of the and Port Authority of
service. This shows the important role Year Award 2015 in recognition of his Singapore (MPA)
”
the Association plays and will continue signiicant contribution to the industry
to play.”over very many years.

He said to remain competitive, ship ISSA President, Mr Hajah, who
suppliers should embrace innovation had tirelessly led the team himself that There were panel discussions on

and technology to increase productivity, put together ISSA’s fantastic Diamond ‘Whatever happened to E-Commerce?’,
reliability and eficiency, and it was Jubilee celebration, was preceded into ‘What are the caterers looking for in their

therefore apt that the theme this year the dinner by a Scottish Pipe Band and ship suppliers?’ and sessions on ‘Arrest

was ‘Heritage of Shipping: The Journey there was also entertainment during and debt enforcement in Singapore’and
of Innovation & Productivity’.the night from one of Singapore’s most ‘How sophisticated should 21st century

It was the irst Convention as ISSA popular bands along with a comedy act.ship supply become’.
President for Abdul Hameed Hajah,The 600 guests at the dinnerOne of the days was also devoted to

of Singapore, who took up the post also witnessed the hand-over of the a series of educational and informative
from out-going President Jens Olsen ISSA Flag from Danny Lien, SASS presentations, staged managed by

in January and Mr Hajah praised the President, to Mr Hajah and on to Saeed Singapore Management University
hard work of SASS in putting on such a al Malik, UAE National Association of and keynote speakers for this included

fantastic Convention.Ship Suppliers President, as the 61st Professor Stavros Tsolakis, MPA Visiting
SASS President Danny Lien said the Convention will take place in Dubai in Professor of Maritime Economics,

Organising Committee for ISSA 2015 November 2016. This breaks away Singapore Management University and

had worked hard to ensure a positive from the norm of holding it in April/June, Professor David Lee, Director, Sim Kee
experience for all attending the event as the Dubai climate will be preferential Boon Institute for Financial Economics.

and it was the irst time that an institute in November and Convention is also set A great draw during Convention was
of higher learning had been Knowledge to coincide with the biennial Seatrade the ISSA stand which displayed a huge

Partner of Convention.Middle East Maritime event. utimeline of ship supply from 200BC to

The SHIP Supplier Issue 65 2015 19