THE FIRST CEBU MARITIME EXPO LAUNCHES

 An Ideal Platform for Industry Partnership to Usher Cebu as Top Maritime Hub and Major Destination for Global Navigation Lines

Cebu Maritime Expo-2023 (CME), the first of its kind in Visayas-Mindanao regions, is going to be launched on April 13-15, 2023 at the Il Corso Lifemalls, South Reclamation Properties, Cebu City.

Hosted by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME), in strategic collaboration with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and event organized with the assistance of Full-Force MarketStrat Gateway (FMG), this event will showcase everything about the maritime industry and demonstrate Cebu’s potential in the niche.

CME-2023 condenses its visions and ambitions for the maritime and boating industry into a few succinct words: ‘Navigating toward maritime advancement;’ which serves as the event’s tagline.

CHARTING INNOVATIONS

The 2023 first edition of CME features indoor and outdoor exhibitors converging around the whole atrium of Il Corso Lifemalls, while the waterfront will feature an array of vessels from the dependable Philippine banca to functional boats to luxury yachts from the local industry and from shipbuilders in the world.

Expecting a draw of about 500 visitors per day, this pivotal three-day event will bring together a congregation of experts and pioneers, industry stakeholders, and decisionmakers creating an avenue for showcasing innovative ideas, state-of-the-art designs, latest launches and specialty services, and exploring investments under one roof.

The Cebu Marine Expo and boat show is open from 9am to 5pm not just to industry stakeholders but to the general public as well.

To the public in general, CME-2023 is an opportunity to understand the industry product and services, as well as appreciate the lifestyle and strong drivers of the maritime industry. And in order to participate and experience the expo, interested spectator need to register online at www.cebumaritimeexpo.com in order to get the free passes.

“SONAME has been aspiring to unify an entire ecosystem to retain focus on our maritime industry and the spaces it represents, with emphasis on innovation and digital transition. 

The CME is the fruition of the marriage between our aspiration and hard work;” imparts SONAME Secretary Engr. Doyle Figueras.

STRATEGIC FORESIGHTING

The Expo is also an important step towards keeping pace with MARINA’s comprehensive 10- year Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) which includes, in its eight (8) flagships, the development of a global maritime hub. 

MARINA plans to unveil during this trade show its visual vision to position Cebu among the global ranks as top maritime city.

The Philippines is blessed with one of the longest coastlines in the world, and Cebu owns roughly 840km of that. With the Philippines as top provider of both seafarers and officers to the global marine fleet; and with Cebu already a bustling port, Cebu City is ready for an exponential growth.

Further, CME2023 compellingly aligns along with Cebu’s roadmap initiative and bold vision for primacy in the maritime industry and beyond. With Cebu being easy access to an international audience, the event is expected to generate economic benefits, stimulate interests and extra revenues, and further reinvestments. Hence, CME provides the potential to leveraging the momentum for sustainable growth opportunities.

VIBRANT RESILIENCY

The CME is also an optimal platform to help revive Cebu’s local boating industry and boost it through sustainable tourism and strategic implementations of best practices. 

On December 2022, Super Typhoon Odette massively wrecked 80% of the bancas; consequently, affecting this vital sector of the local tourism.

To ensure the ubiquitousness of the traditional boats especially in coastal communities is among the goals of CME2023. “The local boating industry, colloquially the banca, is not only a vital economic force for Cebu but also a quintessential factor in its attractiveness. Reviving and developing this industry is a priority, and is only appropriate as it is part of our time- honored seafaring traditions.” SONAME’s CME Project lead Engr. Jose Dupal-ag expresses.