Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards honour industry's finest

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.

"These prestigious awards celebrate and reward excellence and innovation in the maritime sector across the region and are much anticipated throughout the industry,"

said Christopher Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, the award organisers.

For more than 20 years Seatrade has presented awards championing high standards and quality in shipping issues.

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.

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.

The Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards coincided with the close of the Middle East Money & Ships Conference.