More than 700 executives from across the shipping, ports and related sectors, from almost 70 different countries attended the fourth annual Maritime Standard Awards, which concluded yesterday (October 23) in Dubai, UAE.

In total 29 awards were presented to individuals and companies following the deliberations of the judging panel, said a statement.

The high profile event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and celebrated and rewarded the achievements of leading companies and individuals active in maritime fields in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.

It was hosted by well-known Bollywood actress and model, Lara Dutta, said a statement from the organisers.

Trevor Pereira, founder and managing director of the event, said: “We were once again tremendously honoured that Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has supported the awards. Having the backing of such an esteemed figure shows how well recognised the 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, said a statement.

Clive Woodbridge, editor of Maritime Standard Awards 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 by 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 event’s 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 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 awards 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.
 
Pereira added: “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,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service