UBM International Media, organizers of the annual Cruise Shipping Miami, the world’s largest and most important international tradeshow and conference serving the cruise industry, announces today the launch of Cruise Shipping Asia. The inaugural event will take place Nov. 16-18, 2011, at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Organizers expect the new event to unlock the region’s potential as Asia emerges as the industry’s next major growth market. In 2010, Asian cruise passenger numbers are predicted to rise by 40 percent, to more than 1.5 million.

“Globalization of the cruise passenger is one of the key areas of growth for the cruise market,” said Michael Kazakoff, vice president, UBM International Media. “As the industry expands from a North American base to passengers worldwide, we see Asia’s growing number of passengers as a strong indication that this region will continue to expand.”

The event will include a tradeshow and conference program focusing on the Asian cruise market.

“The arrival of this major cruise event in Asia underscores the growing recognition of this market’s strong potential, and will greatly complement our ongoing efforts in promoting Asia’s cruise industry development,” said Jennifer Yap, spokeswoman for Asia Cruise Association and managing director of Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte Ltd. “We look forward to giving our support to and working with the organizers as well as cruise companies and travel agents across Asia to make its debut a success.”

Michael Duck, senior vice president of UBM Asia, said: “We are delighted to bring Cruise Shipping Asia back to Singapore. It has been 10 years since we last organized a cruise event here and today the Asian market is primed for tremendous growth. Singapore has rejuvenated itself in the past few years as an exciting cruise destination and now plays an important role as a platform for the global and regional industry to showcase itself.”

Cruise Shipping Asia’s exhibition will feature product sectors including destinations, itinerary planning, shore excursion services, port and terminal development as well as ship operations, ship services and hotel operations.

Conference sessions will be led by panels of industry experts discussing pertinent industry issues.