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

In a video message to participants, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, shared 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 (IRS), a prominent international classification society and a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), has opened a new office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This expansion coincides with the IRS celebrating 25 years of operations in the UAE and its 50th anniversary worldwide. P.K. Mishra, Managing Director of IRS, stated, “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.”

The Dammam office will provide the IRS's complete range of services at all major ports in Saudi Arabia, including ship classification, statutory surveys, technical inspections, and various international compliance audits. This move allows for closer engagement with local clients, quicker service, and dedicated support for ship owners and operators in the region. Santosh Patil, FICS, Vice President & Head of Corporate Affairs at IRS, mentioned that the company's presence at SeaTrade Maritime 2025 emphasises its long-standing contributions to maritime safety, innovation, and sustainability over the past five decades. The new expansion further enhances the IRS’s presence in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea naval regions.