The 11th edition of the Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East (SMLME) conference opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre with a significant announcement from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The event was officially inaugurated on May 6, 2025, 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 Andrew Williams, President of Seatrade Maritime.
In a video address to attendees, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, highlighted the country’s vision: “We aim to position UAE Maritime Week among the world’s top maritime events, with all stakeholders engaged in shaping the future of this industry. The UAE continues to rise as a global logistics hub, guided by visionary leadership and bold strategies.”
The Indian Register of Shipping, a leading international classification society and a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), announced the opening of its new office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This expansion coincides with IRS marking 25 years of operations in the UAE and its 50th anniversary globally.
“Our new office in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in IRS’s global growth journey. It reflects our long-term commitment to serving the maritime industry in the Kingdom and supporting its transformation into a world-class logistics and shipping hub,” said Mr. P.K. Mishra, Managing Director of IRS.
The Dammam office will offer IRS’s full suite of services across all major Saudi ports, including ship classification, statutory surveys, technical inspections, and various international compliance audits. This strategic move enables closer engagement with local clients, faster service delivery, and dedicated support for ship owners and operators in the region.
Santosh Patil, FICS, Vice President & Head of Corporate Affairs at IRS, stated that the company’s participation in SeaTrade Maritime 2025 highlights its enduring contributions to maritime safety, innovation, and sustainability over its five decades of service. The expansion further strengthens IRS’s regional footprint across the Persian Gulf and Red Sea maritime corridors.
