February -24- Some 1,500 attendees saw the opening of the first Breakbulk Asia Conference and Exhibition held in Singapore.

The two-day event held at the Suntec centre in the city brought together managers involved in heavy lift, project cargo and breakbulk activities, to consider headline issues relating to the global industry in a series of lively debates as well as taking advantage of networking opportunities in a busy exhibition hall.

A major emphasis of the discussions was the state of the heavy lift, project and breakbulk markets in Asia, given the economic chill facing much of the global economy.

Attendees heard panel discussions that covered piracy off the coast of Somalia, forward planning to survive the downturn, intraAsian activity, deficiencies of India infrastructure and port developments that impact on the business.

The concluding address considered the marketing opportunities that managers can exploit and how to manage business opportunities to guarantee survival and growth during a troubled period.

All eyes now turn to Antwerp, where the 4th Annual Breakbulk Europe Conference & Exhibition will take place between 26 - 28 May 2009. For further information on that event, visit http://www.joc.com/conferences/