Maritime Standard Awards showcase regional quality and achievement

The fourth annual Maritime Standard Awards, held on 23 October at the iconic Atlantis Ballroom of The Palm set a new standard for regional awards ceremonies, with exceptional levels of grandeur, glamour and professionalism. 

Hosted by well-known Bollywood actress and model Lara Dutta, the awards attracted a top calibre audience of over 700 executives from across the shipping, ports and related sectors, from almost 70 different countries.

The high-profile event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, celebrated and rewarded the achievements of leading companies and individuals active in maritime fields in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. 

Amir Mosadeghi - Islamic P & I Club; Clive Woodbridge - The Maritime Standard; Richard Briggs - Hadef & Partners; Omar Abu Omar - Gulf Navigation Holding; Katherine Yakunchenkova - Al Safina Security; Erwin Bamps - Gulf Craft; Ali Shehab - Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Sudhir Rangnekar - Oman Shipping Company; Capt. B.K. Tyagi - The Shipping Corporation of India; Sachindra Saxena - Drydocks World Dubai; Naser Al Abdulkareem - Bahri; Lara Dutta; Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah - Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Shaik Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa - ASRY; June Manoharan - LUKOIL Marine Lubricants DMCC; Mohammad Abdul Gafour - Kuwait Oil Company; Tarik Al Junaidi - Oman Shipping Company; Alaa Fathi Ahmed - DNV-GL; Johan Thuresson - GAC; Sajan Varghese - General Insurance Corporation of India; Ray Girvan - International Bulk Journal; and Capt. Harihar Prasad - McQuilling Shipping Services

The Maritime Standard Awards founder and Managing Director Trevor Pereira said: “We were once again tremendously honoured that His Highness has supported the awards. Having the backing of such an esteemed figure shows how well recognised the TMS Awards are and how the importance of the industry is appreciated at the highest level.”

The Awards demonstrated that the region’s ports and shipping sector is one that continues to show innovation, creativity and a determination to succeed in uncertain times. Moreover, it leads the way especially in areas such as environmental protection, corporate social responsibility and security.

In total 29 awards were presented to individuals and companies following the deliberations of the judging panel. Clive Woodbridge, Editor of TMS and Chairman of the judges, said: “This year we received an all-time record number of nominations of the highest quality. All the judges were impressed with the standard of entries. It is evident that maritime companies in the region are not sitting back - they are being innovative and proactive. It was difficult to select the winners, and as a result not just those who picked up an award, but all of those who were shortlisted, can be justifiably proud of their achievements over the past year.”

In addition to the awards determined by the judging panel, there were a number of special awards presented by the TMS team for particularly impressive individual achievements. The Maritime Standard Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sudhir Rangnekar of Oman Shipping Company; The Hall of Fame Award was given to Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah - Chief Executive of the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; The Personality of the Year Award went to DP World’s Mohammed Al Muallem and the Editor’s Choice Award was presented to Richard Briggs - Executive Partner, Hadef & Partners.

 Other award-winners selected by The Maritime Standard included June Manoharan - Managing Director of Lukoil Marine, who was the recipient of the Woman in Shipping award, and Amir Hossein Mosadeghi of Islamic P&I Club, who was named Young Person in Shipping. Omar Abu Omar of Gulf Navigation won the Excellence in Shipping Award and the winners of the Deal of the Year were Abu Dhabi Ports and JOCIC of China for their Musataha agreement.

“It was a fantastic night of celebration, that showcased the tremendous achievements and progress that is being made in the region. On top of that we raised the bar still higher as far as awards ceremonies go. Once again we showed that we deliver the biggest and best awards for the maritime sector in the region, which is what the industry deserves,” said Pereira.

Full list of award-winners

Safety and Security Award - Oman Ship Management Company

Environment Protection Award - Kuwait Oil Company

The Green Shipping Award - ADNOC Logistics & Services

The Technology/Innovation Award - MAP Marine Technologies

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award - Abu Dhabi Ship Building

Shipyard/ship repair Facility of the Year Award - Drydocks World Dubai

The Maritime Education and Training Award - Shipping Corporation of India - Maritime Training Institute

Marine Broker of the Year Award - McQuilling Shipping Services DMCC

Marine Crewing and Manning Award - Liberty Manning Services Limited

Maritime Security Award - Al Safina Security

Passenger Ship, Leisure Craft and Yacht builder of the Year - Gulf Craft

Marine Insurer of the Year - General Insurance Corporation of India

Ship Manager of the Year - Bahri Ship Management

Ship Agency of the Year - GAC

Tanker Operator of the Year Award - Kuwait Oil Tanker Company

Ship Owner/Operator of the Year - Bahri

Classification Society of the Year - DNV-GL

Terminal Operator of the Year - DP World UAE Region

Port of the Year - Abu Dhabi Ports

Shipping Company of the Year - Bahri

Deal of the Year - Abu Dhabi Ports

The Maritime Standard Young Person in Shipping - Amir Mosadeghi

The Maritime Standard Woman in Shipping Award - June Manoharan

The Maritime Standard Excellence in Shipping - Omar Abu Omar

The Maritime Standard Editor’s Choice - Richard Briggs

The Maritime Standard Outstanding Achievement Award - Dr. Abdullah Salem Alkatheeri

The Maritime Standard Personality of the Year Award - Mohammed Al Muallem

The Maritime Standard Lifetime Achievement Award - Sudhir Rangnekar

The Maritime Standard Hall of Fame Award - Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah