Sultan Bin Sulayem honoured with Personality of the Year award at DIMA

The award comes in acknowledgement of his pioneering and far-sighted vision that is responsible for placing Dubai on the international maritime map.

At an award ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai last night, Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), presented Sulayem with the award and commended him on his contribution to the growth and development of the maritime industry in the region.

In a keynote address at the award ceremony, Sulayem said, "The Dubai International Maritime Awards have come to be regarded as the ultimate recognition for companies and individuals involved in the maritime industry in the region. To be conferred the highest honour at this prestigious awards ceremony, and by such an eminent panel of experts, is truly rewarding."

He spoke with pride about the emergence of Dubai as a global maritime hub, stating the ambition of Dubai Ports to achieve the ranking of 6th or 7th largest in the world in terms of container handling capacity. He further stated that the merging of Dubai Ports and Dubai Ports International to become DP World meant the management of 20 ports around the world spanning five continents.

He also highlighted the mega expansion of the Jebel Ali Port and said that Dubai Ports has always been ahead of its times, planning and implementing strategies by anticipating future demand and completing them well ahead of schedule. The construction of the Jebel Ali New Container Terminal will significantly boost its container handling capacity.

As a key supporter of the Dubai International Maritime Awards, Amer Ali, Project Manager of Dubai Maritime City presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Maritime Services to Ahmed Hussain, CEO Environment, Health & Safety of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corp (PCFC), UAE. Whilst the award for Outstanding Contribution to Liner Activity was presented to Captain Hamzeh Keshavarz, General Manager, Container Div, Asia from Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines by Mohammed Al Muallem, DP World Senior Vice President and Managing Director, UAE.

The award for Safety and Quality in the Shipping category sponsored by Dubai Drydocks went to the UAE's Vela International Marine Ltd and the innovation in Shipping title sponsored by Scan-Trans Middle East went to Applied Research International of India.

C. Steinweg Oman LLC walked away with the Port Operations honor which was sponsored by Seatrade Academy whilst the Countering Marine and Atmospheric Pollution Award sponsored by ABS went to Transas Ltd of Ireland.

The Education & Training category sponsored by Lloyd's Register went to Pakitstan's Maritime Training Institute and the award for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Dry Bulk Activities sponsored by Charter Trade Global (LLC) went to India's Samsara Group. The award for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Energy Activities sponsored by Vela International Marine Ltd went to National Iranian Tanker Company.