Individuals, organisations and companies from across the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent maritime and shipping industry were honoured at the annual Seatrade Maritime Awards in Dubai this week.

The 11th edition of the awards, which was hosted by international journalist and broadcaster Mishal Husain, were a part of the Dubai Maritime Week and was held at the Atlantis, The Palm.

More than 850 guests attended the event, which was a celebration to recognise excellence in all areas of maritime activity across the Middle East and beyond, said a statement.

The awards programme was reformed this year with new categories, a new judging panel and a revamped format. The winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges based on a predetermined set of transparent criteria.

Chris Hayman, chairman, Seatrade, said: “The awards ceremony has attracted hundreds of key industry professionals covering the entire spectrum of the maritime and shipping industry in the Middle East, Africa and India. It certainly echoes the confident and optimistic mood of this vital industry sector.”

The Seatrade Personality of the Year award for the year was presented to Admiral Mohab Mohammed Hussein Mameesh, chairman and managing director of the Suez Canal Authority, said the statement.

“After a distinguished naval career, Admiral Mameesh took up his present position in 2012 and has since overseen the raising of $9 billion from Egyptian investors to fund a second channel parallel to the existing one that will be 72 km in length,” said Hayman.

“Together with deepening of the existing channel, this will reduce the time needed to transit the Suez Canal, from nearly 20 hours to 11 hours, allowing the number of daily transits to rise from less than 50 today to nearly 100,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service