Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Eastern Province, sponsors the World Maritime Day 2016 that will be held this year under the theme "Shipping Indispensible to the World". The festival will be organized at the Maritime Front in Al-Khobar City on Sept. 25-29. Musaed Abdulrahman Aldrees, Director of Ports Authority, Deputy Chief of the Festival Committee, signed an agreement with the founder partner of Exhibition Horizon Company, a specialized company for exhibition and conference organizing Expo Horizon, Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Mohammed, to carry out all the works of the event. Aldrees said the agreement is to get ready for carrying out all the works and arrangements of the festival that will be attended by the Secretary General of the World Maritime Organization and representatives from some friendly countries, the matter that reflects the importance of organizing such an event in the Kingdom as well as the corresponding events and their vital role in the field of maritime transportation in both the international and regional levels. Aldrees said the celebration this year coincides with the efforts of the Maritime Transportation Matrix in the Kingdom to achieve the main strategic objective for transportation sector within the framework of the Kingdom's comprehensive plan 2030 to make the Kingdom a first class international logistic center, thanks to the potentials of the Kingdom's trading and industrial ports with huge infrastructure in addition to latest equipment and best services according to the highest international standards and specifications, and to take advantage of the kingdom's unique position that links three continents Asia, Africa and Europe, whereas 30% of the international trade pass through the Red Sea. The Kingdom gains vital strategic importance due to its geographical position for marine navigation. The festival will last for 5 days and will include maritime exhibitions from some government agencies as well as a fair where ministries, key government agencies, major companies and organizations interested in maritime transport industry will participate. It will also include a theatre for presentations of folklore and art bands as well as competitions, cultural and historical presentations related to the maritime transportation sector. Mohammed Al-Mohammed said partnership is considered one of the largest specialized festivals in the maritime sector in the kingdom and one of the most successful. The festival is expected to benefit all the participants and visitors of the festival. The celebration reflects the issues related to the maritime transportation industry worldwide.
