Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East Opens, Indian Register of Shipping Expands Operations to Saudi Arabia

The 11th edition of the Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East (SMLME) conference commenced on May 6, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre with a landmark announcement from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The event was officially inaugurated by Eng. Hessa Al Malek, Senior Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, alongside Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director of DP World GCC, and Seatrade Maritime President Andrew Williams.

In a special video message, UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei emphasized the nation's ambitions: “We aim to place UAE Maritime Week among the world’s leading maritime events, driven by our strategic vision and dynamic leadership.”

Marking a major milestone, the IRS announced the opening of a new office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This expansion coincides with IRS’s 25th anniversary in the UAE and its 50th year of global operations. The move reflects IRS’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a world-class logistics and shipping hub.

“This new office strengthens our presence in the region and enables faster, more direct service to clients across major Saudi ports,” said IRS Managing Director P.K. Mishra. The Dammam branch will provide classification, statutory surveys, technical inspections, and compliance audits.

Santosh Patil, Vice President & Head of Corporate Affairs, added that IRS’s participation in Seatrade Maritime 2025 underscores its legacy of promoting maritime safety, innovation, and sustainability throughout the Persian Gulf and Red Sea corridors.