Bahrain-based Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry) has been nominated in four categories at the upcoming Lloyds List Middle East and Indian Subcontinent (MEIS) Awards, one of the region's leading honours in the shipping industry.

Asry, whose diversification strategy in recent years has cemented its position as one of the world's leading marine hubs, has been nominated in the categories of Shipyard of the Year, Safety, Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The ceremony is set to take place in Dubai on October 16.

"Lloyds List is one of the leading marine industry resources and their accolades are some of the most sought-after in the shipping world," said Asry chief executive Chris Potter.

"Receiving these nominations is another vindication of a diversification strategy that has seen the yard weather the recent economic storm and move forward with expansion plans as competitors struggle for business," he said.

"Without diversifying, Asry would not be the region's leading shipyard, nor have the global reputation which attracts this kind of attention," Potter said.

The Lloyds List MEIS Awards are given to the best performers from the region in the key areas of shipping, port operations, as well as shipping services.

Asry's four nominations this year equals its previous record of most number of nominations at a single awards programme and follows on from winning the Shipyard of the Year award at the 2011 Lloyds List Awards.

These new nominations add to a growing history of awards success for Asry.

This includes Corporate Social Responsibility Awards from both the Seatrade MEIS Awards 2010 and Lloyds List Global Awards 2010, and the Lloyds List MEIS Award for Shipyard of the Year 2011.-TradeArabia News Service