A New Era of Opportunity

The growth outlook for roll-on, roll-off shipping is reflected in the theme of next month's RORO 2002 conference and Exhibition in Lubeck (28-30 May). Organised by Lloyd's List Events, the conference opens with a summit on market and design trends before running in parallel freight/logistics and shipbuilding/technology tracks. The programme also includes a post-conference workshop on ro-ro terminal planning, design and operation hosted by Posford Haskoning on May 31. Over 300 leading international companies will be exhibiting at RORO2002.

The event takes place at a time when ro-ro prospects have been boosted by advances in ship, terminal and equipment design, demand for door-to-door services and political initiatives to shift goods from road to sea - the subject of German federal transport minister Kurt Bodewig's opening address. Safety and security issues will be highlighted as crucial to the industry's development. Panellists in a ro-ro safety debate include Tom Allan, chairman of the International Maritime Organisation safety committee. The shipbuilding and technology track will assess German and South Korean ro-ro construction and compare standardised with tailor-made designs. Further technical sessions will review cargo handling, power and propulsion developments and safety management systems.