3rd Middle East Logistics Awards for 2009 celebrates best in logistics industry across the region

Dubai Industrial City, a member of Tatweer and the leading industrial hub of Dubai was the platinum sponsor of the Award night which saw key logistics individuals converge at the 3rd MELA to honour individuals and companies for their excellence in performance.

Ram Menen, Senior Divisional Vice President of Emirates Sky Cargo, bagged the Prestigious Hall of Fame award. Rashed Al Ansari, Vice President Dubai Industrial City, presented key awards on the night.

The Personality of the Year awards for Air, Land and Maritime categories went respectively to Fahad A.Hammad, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Airlines Cargo, Saudi Arabia; Jinendra Sancheti, Managing Director, TNT Express, Gulf, Middle East & Africa; and Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Vice Chairman, DP World, Dubai.

Speaking on the occasion, Rashed Al Ansari underlined the vital importance of 'planning and implementation' as key components of any successful logistics operation, citing the historically commercial importance of logistics in a highly networked global trade.

"Dubai is making substantial infrastructural investments, transforming itself into a major logistics hub that is attracting an increasing share of the global players of the industry and placing itself at the forefront of the market as an ideal location for business," he added.

Dubai Industrial City, he said, was proud to sponsor the 3rd MELA awards which celebrated excellence, one of the main endeavours of the light and medium industrial hub that spans across 560 million square feet of land in Jebel Ali.

Welcoming the gathering, Aleem Aziz, CEO, MELA Executive Office and Vice President, Media One, reaffirmed that the quest to honour 'Heroes of the Logistics Industry' would continue and there were plans to rotate the award ceremony across the Middle East region.

Audited by International auditors Horwath Mak, the awards, he said, were not only fostering healthy competition but also bringing about cohesiveness in the logistics industry, which is witnessing unrivalled growth.

The award for best Innovator of the Year went to the Economic Zones World, Dubai; The Best Airport (cargo terminal) was won by Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Airports; Best Express Operator was prized by FedEx Express Middle East while the Best Air Cargo Carrier was awarded to Emirates SkyCargo.

Best Air Charter Operator was given to Midex Airlines, UAE; and DP World Jebel Ali won Best Seaport and Best Container Terminal. Maersk WCA was judged as Best Shipping Line while Best Road Hauler was awarded to Al Majdouie Logistics Group, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Railways Organisation, Saudi Arabia won the Best Rail Operator and Best Exporter was awarded to Dubai Aluminium Co. (Dubal) while Best Importer was won by Al Futtaim Group, UAE.

The Best Logistics Service Provider (BLSP) was taken by Agility ME and the category of BLSP for Perishable Logistics was won by Gulf Agency Company (GAC). Best Logistics Park (Air) was given to Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) while the Best Logistics Park (Sea) was awarded to Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, UAE was selected Best Emerging Free Zone while HSBC Bank Middle East won the final award of the night for Best Trade Finance Bank.