David Dingle, managing director of Southampton-based P&O Cruises, is due to deliver the opening paper at a major shipping conference and exhibition next month.

Cruise and Ferry 2003 is one of the most important dates in the industry's calendar, bringing together delegates, company representatives and 350 suppliers under one roof at London's Olympia.

Mr Dingle, who will be taking part in a keynote session on the first day of the conference staged in conjunction with the exhibition, is set to deliver a paper entitled Cruising in the 21st Century - New Developments in Supply and Demand.

The tenth annual Cruise and Ferry exhibition will run over three days from Tuesday, May 13 to Thursday, May 15.

The conference will include topics on security and safety, design, new business opportunities, technology, finance and manning as well as an overview of the market.

More than 3,500 visitors are expected to attend the event to see individual exhibitors and special pavilions featuring UK marine interior companies, such as Southampton's Trimline.

Following its debut two years ago there will also be, on the first two days, a seminar dedicated to all aspects of on-board passenger operations.