Mercator Media's events Director Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling is the driving force behind IceFish, and she recalled that the first exhibition could fit into an area of 5000m2 space at which the majority of exhibitors were local companies.

"In contrast, the 2017/2020 events occupy 13,000m2 of exhibition space and exhibitors come from all over the world," she said.

International exhibitors increased by 41% in 2017, this trend continues with a very strong presence from Spanish companies for this exhibition.

"We also have national pavilions organised by Denmark, Norway, the Faroe Islands, the UK and Canada. For the first time there will be a Spanish national pavilion, representing overwhelmingly shipyards; Armon, Astander, Balenciaga, Foro Maritimo, Murueta, Ferri, Gondan and Zamakona who form the Spanish joint presence, plus Ibercisa and Nodosa who have made independent arrangements."

Shipbuilding continues to be of high importance to the exhibition's, with yards from Spain, Turkey, Denmark, Poland and Lithuania already signed up as exhibitors.

"Following an extended period of slow investment in tonnage for a variety of reasons, Iceland saw a boom in new vessels joining the fleet that roughly coincided with the 2017 IceFish exhibition, and while this expansion has steadied, it's far from over," she said.

"Heading towards IceFish 2020, there is still scope for renewal of the Icelandic fleet, with several new vessels under construction, notably at Karstensen in Denmark and Armon in Spain. European shipyards recognise the opportunities that IceFish offers to present themselves to the fishing sector around the North Atlantic in general, and to the Icelandic market in particular."

If you are interested in exhibiting, sponsoring, attending or speaking at 2020 IceFish please call +44 01329 825 335 or email info@icefish.is.

International sales:

Diane Lillo Tel. +44 1329 825 335 or email dlillo@mercatormedia.com

Icelandic sales:
Birgir Þór Jósafatsson Tel: +354 896 2277 birgir@icefish.is or Bjarni Thor Jonsson GSM: +354 896 6363 bjarni@icefish.is