In the daily contact we have with our partners and exhibitors, one thing is clearly coming to the surface: the maritime industry is very eager to meet up in person again. Every week we receive requests from both returning and new exhibitors at Europort, with over 85% of the floor space already reserved. With a worldwide decrease in infection numbers and an increase in the number of people being vaccinated, better times are on the way. We cannot wait to welcome you again to Rotterdam Ahoy. As the venue hosting the Eurovision Song Contest this past month, we were offered a unique opportunity to gain the experience and insights needed to stage safe and successful events in 2021.

Europort visitor registration is now open to welcome the maritime industry to Rotterdam in November. A visit to Europort in November is essential, as it is one of the first opportunities for the maritime industry to meet once again in person. Please visit our website to register for free. Business must go on!

There is no doubting the ambition of International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. It is also aiming to reduce the total annual GHG emissions produced by international shipping by at least 50% by 2050, with the view to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

However, no single solution can provide the 'silver bullet’ needed to achieve these decarbonization ambitions in such a diverse industry. In fact, we all have a part to play in the decarbonization journey.

According to key exhibitors at Europort 2021, a combination of new fuels and new technologies will be essential if the shipping and offshore industries are to meet the decarbonisation targets.

Over 85% of the exhibition space has already been reserved by national and international companies. We are delighted to welcome many new exhibitors. Curious about who will be there in November? You can see all of the names on the exhibitor list on our website.

As investments in offshore wind continue to climb, demand for service operation vessels (SOVs) and offshore wind turbine installations vessels (WTIVs) is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future. A new report from IHS Markit predicts that annualised growth rates in offshore wind capacity will increase sixfold by 2030 as investors respond to favourable policies, reducing costs, advancing technology and the emissions imperative.

Love it or hate it, the Eurovision Song Contest is long-established in the international events circuit, always creating a buzz in the news. This year, the much anticipated 65^th edition took place at Rotterdam Ahoy.

The event was a great success. With the exception of Iceland, all 26 acts performed live to an audience of 3,500 in the Rotterdam Ahoy arena. Strict social distancing and testing measures were in place with 31,500 visitors tested over nine shows. The final was watched by an incredible 180 million viewers worldwide.

As one of the biggest TV productions worldwide, Eurovision 2021 showcased the immense technical possibilities available at Rotterdam Ahoy. The venue used 4.2km of audio cable, installed 298 speakers and reached a record 'rod load’ of 280,000kg.

Congratulations once again to Italy’s Måneskin, who delivered Italy’s third Eurovision win and were the first group to win the competition since 2011!

This will be the first Europort show for Hoffmann Group. "We are constantly looking for new markets,” says Sales Director Jan Fijnaut. "We are therefore very much looking forward to being at the trade show and meeting the market again, and will surprise the visitors with our products. At our stand, the focus will be on our workshop-containers, workstations, storage and tool management. Our specialists will demonstrate the GARANT Tool24 goods issuing system, which will help us make the lives of many easier.” Want to know where you can find them on the exhibition floor? Check out our floorplan.

If our industry is to stay ahead of the global competition and solve tomorrow´s challenges, we need to attract the brightest brains and hardworking innovative employees, and compete with other sectors for critical competence. Companies that go the extra mile in their efforts to focus on and promote young professionals in the maritime industry now have the chance to receive the Young Corporation Awards by YoungShip! Candidates can be nominated now: for more information, click here for all criteria and submission. The winner will be announced at Europort on the 5th of November.