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The new convention center at Monte Carlo, where Ro-Ro '80 will be held. The 4th International Conference And Exhibition •JV A j The 4th International Confer- ence and Exhibition on Roll-On Roll-Off Transportation will be held from April 15-17, 1980 in Monte Carlo at the new Conven- tion Centre. The Principality of Monaco is located midway be- tween the French and Italian ro- ro ports of Marseilles-Fos and Genoa. The Ro-Ro '80 meeting will pro- vide an integration of Conference and Exhibition in the same man- ner as the previous gatherings— Ro-Ro '76 and Ro-Ro '77, held in London, England, and Ro-Ro '78, held in Hamburg, West Germany. Each of these conferences at- tracted more than 700 partici- pants from the international com- munity—shipowners, port opera- tors, equipment suppliers, engi- neers, naval architects and others interested in this form of trans- portation. Ro-Ro '80 is expected to be even more successful. More than 40 international companies will be exhibiting the latest ro-ro technologies and services during the three days of the Conference. For centuries man has used the roll-on/roll-off method of trans- porting wheeled vehicles across bodies of water. Originally rafts were used to move wagons and carts across rivers and enclosed bodies of water. As mankind pro- gressed, local economies became national and national economies became worldwide, requiring in- creased water transportation. However, the roll-on/roll-off con- cept remained localized in the form of ferryboats, carfloats, etc. Economics indicated that the space consumed by the undercar- riage of wheeled vehicles was not conducive to efficient use of ship cargo space. This concept held true when manufactured goods were being moved between indus- trialized countries. The world of trade has changed in the past 30- 40 years and thus the roll-on roll-off ship was developed to meet changing needs. The first major use of roll-on/roll-off ships was between the Scandinavian coun- tries. These were basically glori- fied ferryboats. Now, such ships are a major factor in international trade. Ro-Ro '80 will reflect the cur- rent concern for profitable and full employment of the new ton- nage being built. The Conference in its ship operations and design sessions will emphasize a further factor — ship utilization — focus- (continued on page 40) 36 ZIDELL Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
