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Global Business Gathering
Event Overview
METRANSLOG - Middle East Transport & Logistics is a Virtual Expo and Summit, taking place from 08 - 09 March 2021, which will bring together local, regional and international participants who will showcase international best practices, pioneering research, development solutions, advanced trends, innovative products and new technologies for more efficient and even faster Transport and Logistics services.
The Event is a networking platform giving impetus to business for global and regional stakeholders, C-level executives, leading industry experts, key decision makers, policy makers from across the value chain to engage in dialogue, discuss current challenges and business opportunities, share their knowledge, deliberate approaches and identify solutions aimed at shaping the future of the sector.
METRANSLOG is supported by various government, public and private sector organizations who contribute to the growth and continued success of this pivotal industry. This Event aims to create synergy and strengthen the collaboration between the authorities and the businesses where new projects and partnerships are initiated and visionary objectives are implemented.

EXPOrience the Future
A new way to experience an Exhibition. A virtual event works very much the same as our in-person events, with many of our physical features transferring across to the digital experience. The Event will run for 48 Hours from 08 March 2021, Gulf Standard Time – 10:00hrs or GMT+4, to make sure global attendance from all time zones. All you need is a desktop, laptop, tablet or phone, and you can digitally attend from the safety and comfort of your office or home.

The Summit
The Summit will feature a stellar line-up of speakers, presentations, case studies and panel discussions providing access to a wealth of industry-leading knowledge, information exchange, cutting-edge insights and outlooks with actionable takeaways.
The Agenda will also explore the role of digital technology in driving innovation, optimization and improvement across the industry. Sessions will provide informative presentations on key themes impacting the sector, from Data Analytics, AI, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Automation, Digital Transformation and Disrupting Technologies.
The Event is unrivalled in its scope, offering participants and attendees, a definite platform encompassing a diversified mix and across all facets of the Transport and Logistics industry

Navigating Transformation in the Maritime Sector
The Middle East Maritime Summit is a multi-stakeholder platform to connect and do business with the ports & terminals, shipping and offshore marine organizations.
Explore key investment opportunities, generate new leads, network with industry leaders and potential buyers, establish and strengthen existing and new partners and showcase your latest products and services to an engaged audience.
The Summit will feature interactive discussions and key industry insights that promote excellence and innovation in the maritime sector, identify measures to improve security, focus on critical issues, address challenges and explore methods to ensure sustainability in maritime operations.

Middle East Bus Summit is an inaugural and only dedicated event in the region for the Bus and Coach Industry. The Event will showcase buses, coaches, mini and midi vehicles, equipment, components and services.
Check the full spectrum of cutting-edge innovations, latest low and zero emission vehicles, charging facilities, intelligent transportation, urban transportation facilities, systems mechanical and engineering advancements, safety solutions, and much more to combine practical use, with bus industry integration and technological innovation.
The key focus of the Event, is to drive forward the realization of zero emission and its technologies for buses, since Reducing transportation-related emissions is a global priority. Experts will share their experiences, exchange ideas and best practices to operate zero emission buses.
Unique Offerings

Product Showcase

Exhibitor Virtual Booth

Generate New Leads

Watch Live

1-2-1 Meetings

Discuss

Webinars & Round Tables

On-Demand
Speakers

H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim
Chairman
Dubai Council for Marine & Maritime Industries
Chairman and Group CEO
KBI-UAE


H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim
Chairman
Dubai Council for Marine & Maritime Industries
Chairman and Group CEO
KBI-UAE
TOPIC : Back to the Future “Explore the Power of Infinity”
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is the Chairman & Group CEO of KBI-uae which is a conglomerate operating in several sectors including oil & gas, energy, navigation and industry. H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is a board member of Gulf Craft Inc and Asia Think Tank Group for future maritime transformation and the Global advisor for the MareForum, formerly he was Board Member and MD and Group CEO of Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC and Board Member of Drake and Scull International PJSC. H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is the Chairman of the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries, the specialized industry council formed to promote the interests of the offshore and maritime industry in Dubai and the UAE. He is also Chairman of Arab Association for Petroleum Professionals (AAPP), for the professionals in the oil and gas industry in the Middle East and the world to connect, network and collaborate to tackle major challenges facing the industry. In addition, he is the former Chairman of the Federal Committee for the Revision and Update of the UAE Maritime Law, the committee was created to review and update the UAE Commercial Maritime Law and formulate a new & futuristic law that will propel and govern the ongoing potential growth of business and the maritime industry in the UAE and the region.
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks world and Maritime world and Chairman of the Board of DDW-PaxOcean Asia PTE Singapore and has successfully led the organization through its restructuring during the global financial crisis. His leadership and direction have been instrumental in the company being able to acquire several pioneering projects on a global scale. This leadership has seen the company move from close to financial failure, create major synergies, recognize potential and place the organization firmly on a path driven to sustainable profitability and growth.
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is a Leading veteran in the oil and gas industry worked with Conoco and ConocoPhillips for 26 years and held various corporate and management positions, including vice president of Dubai oil company, a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips in the United Arab Emirates. He was also the Chairman and CEO of Regional Clean Sea Organization (RECSO) the oil industry environmental arm in the Gulf region.
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim is involved in a number of leading private & public organization, he was member of the Dubai Government Crises and Disasters Management Team, member of the Advisory board of Emirates Classification Society (Tasneef), Vice Chairman of the Federal Transportation Authority Technical Committee, Advisor to the Career Gulf Development and Senior Advisor in the Middle East and North Africa- Business strategies & International Energy.
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim has won many Awards and life time achievements, including being recognized as the most influential maritime top 50 personalities in the world by Tanker Shipping & Trade magazine of London 2015, The Maritime Standard Hall of Fame 2016, H.H sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Business Award 2014, The Tatweej Personality Award for leadership, management and business 2014, The "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement" award from Lloyd's List London for his contribution to the in an exemplary & profound manner and for his distinguished service to the maritime sector in the UAE, his role in reviving the legacy shipbuilder & helping to instill new energy into the Dubai & UAE maritime scene, The year personality award in the field of marine and maritime industry by International Ships Techniques 2013, Sword of Honors from the British Safety Council “ London 2014, The International Prize in Human Resource Management, The Archimedes Achievement Award "for excellence and exchange of knowledge" - United States of America and many others.
H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim holds Bachelor of Business Administration and Economics - United Kingdom and the National Administration degree in Crises Management and incident Command - United States of America and the High-accreditation on international human resources management (IPM) & a Credited executive in Mergers, acquisitions and transformation including corporate restructuring, finance and growth.

Carlo Borghini
Executive Director
Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking


Carlo Borghini
Executive Director
Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking
TOPIC : From Research to Innovation: How to Deliver Rail Transformation for Socio-Economic Benefit
Mr. Carlo Borghini is responsible for the overall management of the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking activities since he took up the position of Executive Director in February 2016.
Prior to this posting, Mr. Borghini held senior management positions in different domains in private and international organisations, at corporate level. He was the Deputy Executive Director for the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) in Brussels from 2008 to 2014, and prior to this was Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialised Agency of the United Nations based in Rome.
Mr. Borghini holds a Master’s Degree equivalent in Business Economics and speaks Italian, French and English. He is married with three children.

Thomas Deloison
Director, Mobility
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)


Thomas Deloison
Director, Mobility
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
TOPIC : Pathways to sustainable urban Mobility
Thomas Deloison leads the mobility work at WBCSD, a CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. Before that, he held various roles for Nissan in product strategy, marketing strategy, vehicle program management and corporate strategy in Europe.

Piia Karjalainen
Secretary General
MaaS Alliance


Piia Karjalainen
Secretary General
MaaS Alliance
TOPIC : Mobility as a Service - Past, Present and Future of User-Centric Mobility Services
Ms Piia Karjalainen is Secretary General of the MaaS Alliance. She lives and works in Brussels, Belgium. The MaaS Alliance is an international public-private-partnership, established in 2015, bringing together more than 100 member organizations worldwide, supporting the development of Mobility as a Service ecosystem, based on the principles of openness, inclusivity, sustainability and user-centricity. Karjalainen is leading and coordinating all the activities of this international Mobility as a Service community. Previously she has been working in various positions at the European Parliament and the Finnish Ministry of Transport & Communications, mainly dealing with transport strategies, ITS, Mobility as a Service, policy-making and EU regulation. She holds a Master of Science in Economics.

Adam Giambrone
Acting General Manager
Khartoum BRTxpress


Adam Giambrone
Acting General Manager
Khartoum BRTxpress
TOPIC : "Ultra Low-Cost" BRT in the MENA region
Adam has over 20 years of experience in the transportation sector and is a former President of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and has worked as the head of surface rail expansion with the City of New York and a Director of Planning Studies with Montreal's regional transit authority (RTM).
He has consulted on transit projects around the world and is currently a General Manager at Saudi Public Transport Company but on a secondment as Acting General Manager with BRTxpress which is building a Bus Rapid Transit project in Khartoum. He has a MBA from the University of Toronto (Canada) and an EMBA focused on transit operations management from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

Stephen Stanton
Chief Business Officer – Parcels & Express
Emirates Post


Stephen Stanton
Chief Business Officer – Parcels & Express
Emirates Post
TOPIC : Last Mile
Having joined Emirates Post in March 2015 in the role of Operations Director, Steve had an initial remit to consolidated the group courier and postal operations. Steve was subsequently promoted to Senior Executive Director in 2017 with an increased operational scope and then appointed as Chief Business Officer – Parcels & Express in November 2019.
With over 18 years’ experience in logistics, his efforts have always been focused on delivering consistent improvements in service levels and enhanced levels of customer experience across a consolidated domestic postal and courier service portfolio.
Driving the organization’s strategy in transforming last-mile capabilities, Steve has led Emirates Post entry in to the e-commerce market, introduced hyper-local network solutions and cash-on-delivery options, and expanded sustainable operating capacity across the Emirates Post pan UAE network.
In his current role, Steve leads the Parcels & Express business unit holding full P&L accountability with a focus on the delivery of market leading solutions and a best in class last mile operation.

Dr. Amit Garg
Founder & Chief Scientist
ORMAE, LLC


Dr. Amit Garg
Founder & Chief Scientist
ORMAE, LLC
TOPIC : Supply Chain Optimization in E-commerce, Pharmaceutical & Manufacturing Industry
Dr. Amit Garg, a Guinness World Record holder in Mathematics is the Founder and Chief Scientist at ORMAE. ORMAE has worked on 50+ Optimisation & Data Science projects savings millions of dollars for 25+ global clients in USA, Germany, UAE, KSA, Japan & India. Dr Amit has decade of industry experience in Optimization and Analytics area in leading MNCs in USA like Amazon, Genesys, Penske & Progressive Insurance. He completed Phd in Operations Research from Case Western University after completing B.Tech and M.S from IIT, Delhi. He has worked in various industries like Supply Chain, Transportation, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, e-Commerce, ITeS and Insurance. He has spoken at many global conferences, Corporate as well as University events.
He became the first Indian to win a silver medal in mental calculation world championship in London, UK. He participated in many global championships and has done many math shows.

Dr. Tom Voege
Head of EU Affairs & Customs and Supply Chains Lead
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)


Dr. Tom Voege
Head of EU Affairs & Customs and Supply Chains Lead
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
TOPIC : International cooperation, trade development and coordinated public action
Dr. Tom Voege is Head of EU Affairs & Customs and Supply Chain Lead at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) based in Brussels. Previously, he worked at the International Transport Forum at the OECD as a Policy Analyst where he coordinated work on intelligent transport systems (ITS), including vehicle automation, shared mobility concepts, and big data in transport. Prior to this, he worked for the United Nations (UN DESA) as a Road and Traffic Safety Expert, following on from earlier roles in management consulting and academia. He holds an MSc and a PhD in Transportation Planning and Engineering, both from the University of Southampton. He is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Expert Network, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Springer Lecture Notes in Mobility and is a Member of the TRB Committees on Intelligent Transport Systems and on Vehicle Highway Automation.

Lawrence Slade
Chief Executive Officer
Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA)


Lawrence Slade
Chief Executive Officer
Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA)
TOPIC : Infrastructure Investment, Resilience & Adaption
Prior to taking up his role as Chief Executive Officer with GIIA in January 2020, Lawrence Slade worked with Energy UK since 2011, becoming Chief Executive in January 2015. He has been involved in the energy industry since the late 1990’s working in countries all over the world. Lawrence is a member of the UK Government’s Committee on Fuel Poverty, an Advisory Board member of Connected Kerb, a Board Trustee and Audit Committee member of the Money Advice Trust (who run the National Debtline and Business Debtline) and is also a Fellow of the Energy Institute.

Jan Deman
Managing Director
Busworld Foundation


Jan Deman
Managing Director
Busworld Foundation
TOPIC : The way to zero emission for collective road passenger transport
Jan Deman has been working in the bus- and coach sector since 2007. In 2011 he became the director for the Flemish federation for bus- and coach companies (BAAV). He is the first director of the Busworld Foundation, which is the holding company over the Busworld Academy. Both positions allow to experience the daily needs of as well the operators as well as the manufacturers, and to detect the needs from public authorities and from private travelers.
Current projects focus on safety, sustainability and comfort matters, and the development of niche markets and the improvement of the image of the sector.

Rami Karout
Adviser for the Middle East
The International Road Transport Union (IRU)


Rami Karout
Adviser for the Middle East
The International Road Transport Union (IRU)
TOPIC : Digitalization of Supply Chains
Rami is an expert in trade facilitation and cross-border solutions at the International Road and Transport Union (IRU) in Geneva. His speciality is helping logistics and road transport operators to establish closer trade links between Middle Eastern and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
He has over 10 years of experience working with international organisations and private sector companies across Europe and the Middle East. After a six-year spell in the reinsurance industry in Paris and Geneva, Rami spent four years working in the financial division of the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Since joining IRU, Rami has managed the implementation of the TIR system in several countries, with a focus on facilitating trade, unlocking inter-regional trade potential and enabling transport companies to reduce costs and delivery times.

Zoë Harries
Project Director
World Free Zones Organization


Zoë Harries
Project Director
World Free Zones Organization
TOPIC : Role of Special Economic Zones in boosting sustainable economic recovery
With a background in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Advisory, Zoë Harries supports governments, multilateral organizations and SEZs in accelerating sustainable economic growth though SEZ development, investment attraction and trade promotion. Zoë also provides cross-border expansion and market entry services to companies.
Born in South Africa, based in Amsterdam and Dubai, Zoë holds a BSc. in International Business Administration and Economics from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. She has extensive experience working with governments, companies and SEZs in Europe, Russia, CIS, North America, Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East and Asia.
Zoë’s mission is to mobilize the public and private sector to achieve the SDGs. She is a keynote speaker and lecturer on topics such as FDI Trends, Trade & Investment Promotion, Business Development, Marketing & Branding, Sustainability (SDGs) by organizations such as Nyenrode Business University, AIM, WAIPA, AmCham Jordan, The World Bank, Regional Cooperation Council, USAID/DAI, AIM, World FZO, Impact Investment Summit Europe, Jordan Investment Commission, Kazakh Invest.

Ziad Alexandre Hayek
President
World Association of PPP Units & Professionals


Ziad Alexandre Hayek
Managing Partner
Hayek Associates LLC
President
World Association of PPP Units & Professionals
Vice Chair
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Working Party on PPP
TOPIC : The Greater Need for PPP in Transportation and its Greater Challenges
Hayek has 39 years of experience in investment banking, international finance, corporate strategy, corporate governance, public policy, emerging markets, economic development, and government relations.
In 2019, Hayek was nominated to be President of the World Bank. He has managed multicultural teams in both the private and the public sectors and has lived and worked in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the US, and Latin America.
His board and governance experience includes multinational companies, banks, professional associations, civil society NGOs and educational institutions. It also includes chairing board audit committees and risk management, strategy validation, succession planning, corporate divestiture, ESG and the corporate governance of state-owned enterprises.
Hayek was CEO of investment banking firm Lonbridge Associates in London and of Banque Indosuez’s operations in Mexico. He held very senior management positions at Citibank, Salomon Brothers, and Bear Stearns. He started his career trading foreign exchange, fixed income, and derivatives before going into structured finance and asset securitization, including the establishment of funds to invest in projects and other future receivables. Later, as an investment banker, he led highly visible equity and fixed income capital markets placements and advised on M&A deals and infrastructure projects valued at more than US$15 billion. He headed large teams and was responsible for the P&L of major departments.
Hayek is an international expert on public-private partnership (PPP). He has been involved in financing, tendering, and overseeing PPP projects since the late 80s. He is currently Vice Chair of the United Nations Working Party on PPP and President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals. Before that, he was Secretary General of Lebanon’s High Council for Privatization and PPP (a ministerial-level position). Working with various prime ministers, he organized three major fundraising events and helped attract US$13 billion of investment commitments to the country.
Hayek has worked extensively with UN entities, the World Bank, IFC, EBRD, and EIB. He was a member of the US Council on Foreign Relations, a Senior Consultant to the Reagan Administration’s Enterprise Program and liaison with the Arab League.
Loay Ghazaleh
Advisor to H.E. Undersecretary on Infrastructure & PPP
Ministry of Works
Kingdom of Bahrain


Loay Ghazaleh
Advisor to H.E. Undersecretary on Infrastructure & PPP
Ministry of Works
Kingdom of Bahrain
TOPIC : PPP in Modal Transport Infrastructure
Loay Ghazaleh, a 1986 Texas A & M Civil Engineer with MBA 2000 Finance from Thunderbird – Arizona, is backed by over 25 years diverse experience in both government and private businesses spanning Brazil , Philippines , India and GCC regions.
Loay for the past 8 years has served as the Advisor to H.E. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Works in the Kingdom of Bahrain with primary focus on major Roads and Sanitary infrastructure, buildings Construction and PPP development, regulatory reform and contracts arbitration.
Loay provides Technical, Claims Assessments and Financial reviews on a wide array of topics for Roads, Sanitary & Building Projects spanning Strategy, Budgets, Cost Recovery, Arbitration and Mega Projects & PPP Structuring and Delivery with extensive coordination tasks with other Government & Semi-Government units and Authorities.
In this capacity as advisor, Loay also supports the undersecretary Memberships in National Committees like Urban Planning, Traffic Council; Disaster & Emergency Response, Economic City; Housing; Infrastructure, Cost Recovery in addition to contributing to legislative drafts like Highway Law, PPP Law, and Amendments to Sanitary Law.
Loay Career Successes include PPP negotiations & closure of Muharaq STP (Samsung Consortium) in year 2011 with the Ministry of Works for 330 Mil USD, Development of Sharjah Marina (Burooj) coastal mix use front (17mil ft2) in year 2008 for Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) at a value of 15 billion AED, Commercial & Technical advisory role on Mina Al Arrab with Rak Properties in year 2006 for10 bill AED, Leading a team for Al Qudra private placement IPO in year 2005 for550 mil AED, Leading Economic kingdom wide SME survey in Jordan in year 2001and prior to this Registering and Operating including P&L responsibility three branch offices for Zamil Steel in Philippines, Brazil, and India in years the 1996 – 1998.
Loay has contributed to PPP , Project Finance / Investments and Project Management development and the application of FIDIC Contracts in MENA region over the years by speaking at over 40 professional events in areas of Social Infrastructure / Affordable Housing , Renewable Energy & Sustainability, Facility Management , Railways, ITS / Smart Cities, Roads & Safety , Rehabilitation of Water and Sanitary networks and STP’s.

Will Bierens
Advisor to the CEO
Mowasalat
State of Qatar


Will Bierens
Advisor to the CEO
Mowasalat
State of Qatar
TOPIC : S.M.A.R.T. Project implementation to deliver Transport for Football World Cup 2022
Mr. Will Bierens is advisor of the CEO of Mowasalat on all Football World Cup 2022 related transport topics as procurement and maintenance of buses, charging infrastructure, transport planning system, Smart Fleet devices and Marine Water Transport. Head of the S.M.A.R.T. Buses Stream, member of the Steering Committee and responsible for the implementation of almost 3.000 buses including 750 electric buses.
He has a recognized history in increasing bottom-line results with remarkable figures by adjusting contract models, cuttng down expenses by TCO approach, optimising business performance, execute change management processes and strategies to ensure uniform performance throughout the company.
Prior to this position Mr. Bierens held different management positions in a more than 30 year career at Transdev/Connexxion. The last 10 years he was Purchase Director for Connexxion Holding, Chairman of the Procurement Board, initiator of the transition to zero emission in Netherlands and responsible for the supply chain of the product lines Public Transport, Taxi and Ambulance.
Mr. W. Bierens lives in Netherlands with his wife and daughter.

Dr. Jan Hoffmann
Chief, Trade Logistics Branch
Division on Technology and Logistics
UNCTAD


Dr. Jan Hoffmann
Chief, Trade Logistics Branch
Division on Technology and Logistics
UNCTAD
TOPIC : Port calls and other trends in the Middle East
Jan joined UNCTAD in 2003 and became Chief of the organization’s Trade Logistics Branch in 2016. The Branch is implementing multilateral transport and trade facilitation capacity building programmes, as well as regional and national projects in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Jan is co-author and coordinator of the annual UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport, created and co-edits the quarterly UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter, and initiated the UNCTAD Maritime Country Profiles and the annual Liner Shipping Connectivity Index.
Previously, Jan spent six years with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago de Chile, and two years with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London and Santiago. Prior to this, he held part time positions as assistant professor, import-export agent, seafarer, translator, and consultant. For eight years, he also worked part time for the family tramp shipping business Hoffmann Shipping, based in Horneburg, Germany, with a tweendecker registered in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda.
Jan has studied in Germany, United Kingdom, and Spain, and holds a doctorate degree in Economics from the University of Hamburg. His work has resulted in numerous UN and peer reviewed publications, lectures, technical missions, data bases, and electronic newsletters. Jan is member of AJSL, CPI, IJSTL, INCU, JST, MEL, MPM, and the Propeller Club of Geneva. From 2014 to 2018, Jan was president of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME). Jan has had his hair cut in 71 countries. He has three sons and one wife.

Abdul Fahl, MSc
Director
TT Club


Abdul Fahl, MSc
Director
TT Club
TOPIC : Port of Refuge; Current trends
Abdul’s role as Director of TTMS (Gulf), the Dubai based Middle East Network Partner of TT Club sees him focus on business development and Membership servicing in the Middle and Africa. Abdul has been with TT Club since 2013 initially in the London office before relocating to Dubai office in August 2020. Prior to TT Club Abdul worked as Insurance and Claims Manager for a CMA CGM subsidiary in London. Abdul has master degrees in Marine Policy as well as in Maritime Law from Cardiff University and Swansea University respectively. Abdul’s focus since 2013 has been on the ports and terminals, freight forwarding, multimodal logistics and container shipping industries.

Julien Horn, FCII
Senior Underwriter – Middle East & Africa
TT Club


Julien Horn, FCII
Senior Underwriter – Middle East & Africa
TT Club
TOPIC : Port of Refuge; Current trends
Julien’s role as Senior Underwriter sees him focus on Ports & Terminals and Transport & Logistics risks and operators in the Middle East and Africa as part of the TT Club EMEA region. Julien has been with Thomas Miller since 2003 initially working for the UK P&I Club then TT Club since 2006 in Dubai & London. He is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (FCII) including Post Graduate.
Diploma in Marine Insurance from the World Maritime University. Julien has been a Member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners since 2013. He has extensive experience in Port and Terminals liability and Transport & Logistics insurance and risks management.

Paul Holthus
CEO
World Ocean Council


Paul Holthus
CEO
World Ocean Council
TOPIC : The Blue Economy and sustainable use of oceans
Paul Holthus founded the World Ocean Council (WOC) – the Global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization – as the international business leadership alliance on “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. The WOC brings together investment, shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, oil/gas, offshore renewables, mining, submarine cables, ports, and other sectors for global business community leadership, collaboration and action.
The WOC Ocean Investment Platform links investors, ocean industries and innovators. The annual WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) is the premier high-level global ocean business and investment event on ocean sustainable development.
Paul has held senior positions with UN Environment, IUCN, The Nature Conservancy and other international organizations. He has worked in 30+ countries, with companies, communities, industry associations, UN agencies, NGOs, and governments on practical ocean sustainability solutions.
Paul has advanced degrees in marine resources and international business, was a Fulbright scholar in Australia and is an East-West Center alum.
Paul is a regular speaker at international business, investment and intergovernmental events, was invited to be on the UN Secretary General’s ocean advisory panel for Rio+20 and is the only global ocean business organization representative invited to address the UN General Assembly. He has been invited to be on the Advisory Board of an increasing number of ocean investment entities.

Gary Brown
General Manager - Commercial Vehicles
Zawawi Trading Co. L.L.C.
Authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Sultanate of Oman


Gary Brown
General Manager - Commercial Vehicles
Zawawi Trading Co. L.L.C.
Authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Sultanate of Oman
TOPIC : Road and traffic safety, Level of technical improvements on Heavy Trucks
Gary Brown is the General Manager for Commercial Vehicles Mercedes-Benz Oman. Gary brings with him over 30 years of experience in Commercial Vehicles, including the last 15 years with Mercedes-Benz in the United Kingdom. As General Manager, he oversees all aspects of the business’ operations in Muscat, Sohar, Haima, and Salalah, ensuring Mercedes-Benz Oman maintains its position as the market leader for Commercial Vehicles in the Sultanate.
Gary began his career with Renault Trucks as a commercial apprentice. He worked his way up the corporate ladder and after 12 years became Renault Trucks UK Sales Manager. When Volvo purchased Renault Trucks in 2001, Gary was transferred to Volvo and became the Truck Sales Manager for Volvo Truck and Bus South, Volvo’s largest Truck Dealer. From there, Gary joined Mercedes-Benz and has been with the brand for 15 years.
After spending 5 years overseeing the entire UK Dealer Sales operations as Mercedes-Benz’s UK Truck Sales Manager in Milton Keynes, Gary dedicated the last 10 years of his career working as the Managing Director for two large Mercedes-Benz dealer groups, managing the businesses across all areas including overseeing service, sales and parts. Through his commitment to building relationships with customers and ensuring that they get nothing short of superior service, Gary was able to increase the brand’s customer base across both sales and aftersales. His dedication to retaining staff and focusing on their development and training has not only facilitated comradery amongst the staff he has worked with, but was instrumental in ensuring that everyone remained aligned with the company’s mission and worked towards implementing the highest of standards.

Dr. Tarek Shaalan
Industry Advisor Expert, Cargo, Logistics & Transportation | EMEA South
SAP


Dr. Tarek Shaalan
Industry Advisor Expert, Cargo, Logistics & Transportation | EMEA South
SAP
TOPIC : SAP COVID-19 Innovative Response: SAP Vaccine Collaboration HUB
Dr. Tarek Shaalan is SAP Industry Advisor Expert for Cargo, Transportation & Logistics for Europe South, Middle East and Africa (EMEA South region). He has over twenty five years of Industrial experience working in multinational corporates worldwide. Before joining SAP, he was the General Manager of Seaport Terminals for Cargill Port Terminals in MENA region. Moreover, He was a member of the Suez Canal Development Project Government Advisory Board in Egypt reporting to HE the former Prime Minister in Egypt. Also, He was the former Development Advisor for H.E. the former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation in Egypt. He was also the MD and Senior Supply Chain Solutions Consultant for the Industrial and Service Engineering Consultants Group (ISEC) for four years until July 2013. He also was Global Supply Chain Solutions Consultant for Agility Logistics out of their office in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and a Regional Operations Director and Projects Manager for Agility’s Middle East in UAE. He received a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering in 2006 from the University of Central Florida, USA. He is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Professional from the American Society for Quality Professionals (ASQ), USA since 2006.

Carlina Marani
Business Development Director EMEA
TradeLens - IBM


Carlina Marani
Business Development Director EMEA
TradeLens - IBM
TOPIC : Global Trade Digitization
Based in the Netherlands, Carlina leads the business development in EMEA for TradeLens. She has worked for IBM for 9 years in different roles, helping clients with their journey to digital transformation. Notable projects include a digital twin roll out in one of Europe’s biggest ports and several digitalisation projects in the maritime & oil sector in the Netherlands.
In her free time, she enjoys being with her daughter and husband and they enjoy discovering new countries, cultures and local food together.

Maroun Fadel
Managing Partner
Aikon Solution LLC
Vice President of Sales and Business Development
Astrata International


Maroun Fadel
Managing Partner
Aikon Solution LLC
Vice President of Sales and Business Development
Astrata International
TOPIC : Road safety - Drivers behaviors as a mission critical
Telecom Advisor in Public Safety and Mission Critical Solutions. Vice President of Business Development and Technical Account Management, Astrata Middle East; Managing Partner Aikon Solution LL; carries more than 26 years of international industry experiences with a unique blend of Technical, Business and Strategic Planning capabilities. Founded a series of start-up companies since 1994. Currently based in the Sultanate of Oman. Enthusiastic about Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and emerging digital economy, driven by innovation and a deep passion for technology and business. Solid experience with leading global technology providers, service providers and carriers’ services, in mature and emerging markets. Executive speaker, invited to speak on several industry events about public safety, mission critical, technology evolution and managed services in emerging markets.