Champions of Maritime Excellence

Companies, organisations and individuals that have championed high standards and quality in shipping issues have been honoured in the annual Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards.

The awards, recognising maritime safety and the environment, ship and port operations and efficiency, security and financing, were presented at a gala dinner attended by around 600 senior executives of the region’s maritime and related industries at Al Johara Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, on Thursday.

More than 60 companies and organisations were short-listed for the awards which recognise excellence in ship and port operations and efficiency, financing, legal and the environment. In addition, three individuals were singled out for special honours for their significant and lasting contributions to the shipping and maritime industry throughout the region.

The Personality of the Year award went to Fazel A. Fazelbhoy, Chief Executive Officer, Topaz Energy and Marine. The Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award went to Captain Jitendra Misra, Managing Director, Emarat Maritime and Chairman of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, UAE.  The Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award went to Captain Abdul Wahab Al-Diwani, Director Maritime Safety and Environment, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.

The evening’s guest of honour was HE Dr Nasser Al Mansoori, Director General, National Transport Authority, UAE. Mishal Husain, of BBC World News, was MC for the evening.

The full list of other award winners is as follows:
Safety and Quality Award- Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM).
Technical Innovation Award- World-Link Communications.
Environment Protection Award - Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.
Education and Training Award – National Iranian Tanker Company.
Ship Repair/ Shipyard Award - Drydocks World, Dubai.
Ship Manager Award - V.Ships.
Tanker Operator Award - Varun Shipping Company Limited.
Bulk Operator Award - Emarat Maritime.
Container Terminal Operator Award - DP World, UAE region.
Port Authority Award - Ras Laffan Industrial City.
Classification Society Award - Det Norske Veritas.
Workboats Award - Topaz Marine MENA.
Marine Insurance Award - Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda).
Ship Finance Award - Standard Chartered Bank.
Marine & Offshore Services Award - Whitesea Shipping & Supply.
Maritime Law Award - Holman Fenwick Willan.
Ship Agent Award - Sharaf Shipping Agency.
Energy: Oil and Gas Award - Ras Laffan Industrial City.
Ship Owner/Operator Award - United Arab Shipping Company.
Deal of the Year - Standard Chartered Bank.

Lead sponsors of the 2009 Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards were the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, DP World, DNV and Dubai Maritime City Authority. Other sponsors were: ABS, Drydocks World; Emirates Shipping Line; Gulf Energy Maritime; Hind Terminals; Holman Fenwick Willan; the National Iranian Tanker Company; Ras Laffan Industrial City; Seaport International Shipping Company; Topaz Energy and Marine; United Arab Shipping Company; and WhiteSea Shipping & Supply.

(www.seatrademiddleeast.com)