THE recent four-day Marintec China 2013 exhibition and conference in Shanghai, organised by UBM Asia and the Shanghai Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers, attracted a record number of exhibitors and visitors.

Occupying six halls of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, over 1,700 exhibiting companies met 57,886 visitors from 88 countries and regions, a 13 per cent increase compared to the last event in 2011.

"Caterpillar has been exhibiting in Marintec China for over 20 years. Marintec is excellent and is the largest maritime exhibition in Asia," said Caterpillar Marine regional sales director Kody Chan. "This year, Marintec China has grown both in size and quality. We met many existing and new customers, and we actually struck a few deals as well."

Said IHC Holland Area manager Andre Vrijsen: "Marintec China gives us an idea of what is going on in China's marine market. This will be important for our future development."

Said Rolls-Royce president-merchant Neil Gilliver: "It was a very successful show. China is such an important market, Rolls-Royce will definitely be exhibiting again."