The awards are one of the most respected global maritime recognition schemes and this year the Ceremony Dinner was hosted by International journalist and broadcaster, Justin Webb, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, together with 400 industry leaders and professionals from around the world.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was the guest of honour and in an opening address thanked Seatrade, in her capacity of President of the Mission to Seafarers, for the constant support that the awards have given around the world.
SEATRADE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Award sponsored by Oman Drydock Company
Winner: Dr Henrik O. Madsen, Group President and CEO, DNV GL
When appointed as CEO of DNV GL, Dr Madsen made a declaration of intent: 'Our goal is to become the world's leading organisation in safeguarding life, property and the environment'. This has been the guiding principle for his tenure ever since.
Most recently he presided over the company's merger with another major player in the same field, in what has been the biggest consolidation seen in the sector. Dr Madsen also believes their 150th anniversary has been achieved based on integrity and trust within the organisation.
"I am extremely flattered and humbled to receive this prestigious award – the fact that it is the Seatrade award makes it all the more satisfying" he said.
"Indeed, our vision to make a global impact for a safe and sustainable future remains in place today and will remain so in the future. We all know that the world cannot progress without shipping, and that the shipping industry is expected to become safer, smarter and greener. Our goal is to find solutions that create value and growth for our customers and reduce the strain on the globe."
SEATRADE GLOBAL PERFORMER
Winner: United Arab Shipping Company
Award accepted on their behalf by Mr Jørn Hinge, President & CEO.
Presenting UASC's CEO, Jørn Hinge with the "Global Performer" award trophy, Seatrade's Global Events Director, Vanessa Stephens, praised the company's upcoming range of 18,000 teu fuel-saving newbuilds as "the cutting edge of achieving operational efficiencies."
Citing the $200m of estimated fuel savings provided per year by UASC's existing 13,500 teu ecoships, Stephens said: "The newbuilds are not only among the largest container ships ever ordered, but are also believed to be the first for deepsea trades that have been specified as 'LNG ready'.
"Indeed, this company has also committed to building its own LNG bunkering station in its home region of the Middle East."
SEATRADE PERSONALITY
Award sponsored by ClassNK
Winner: Ms Angeliki Frangou, Chairman & CEO, Navios Maritime Holdings Inc
Under Angeliki Frangou's leadership since 2005, the Navios Maritime Holdings has grown to comprise six companies, three of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, together controlling more than 145 vessels of over 14m dwt.
Originally a dry bulk owner, the Group entered the tanker sector in 2010 and in the last year has acquired container vessels as well. In the past 16 months it has raised $2.5bn in the capital markets and added 50 vessels to its fleet.
Of particular note was the innovative deal it concluded in late 2013 with German shipping bank HSH Nordbank to take over 10 distressed vessels.
With a conservative business model that Frangou describes as combining "a strong balance sheet and common sense," the Group celebrated its 60th Anniversary earlier this year.
Frangou responded to the award "It's very nice to win this Seatrade Personality Award, but I'm just a face to this award. This award belongs to my management team and it is only proper that I thank them and accept the award on their behalf."
SEATRADE YOUNG PERSON IN SHIPPING
Winner: Mr Emanuele A. Lauro, Chairman, Director
& CEO, Scorpio Bulkers Inc.
Accepted on his behalf by Mr Roberto Giorgi, President, V.Ships.
Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade, said "Aged just 35, Mr Lauro of Monaco based Scorpio, has come a long way in a very short time.
After graduating from the European Business School here in London, he served an apprenticeship with his family's shipping firm, before taking over the reins from his grandfather in 2003. At that time the company owned just three ships, which Mr Lauro started augmenting with a fleet of chartered-in tonnage.
But it was after the global economic crisis and subsequent collapse of new ship prices that he made his big move. A tanker unit was launched with a $150m IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in Spring 2010, and the group embarked on a massive newbuilding spree.
Forays into gas carriers and a bulk shipping have since followed, financed by a series of further New York listings. In all the group has placed orders for some 160 ships worth over $6bn since 2011, making it probably the world's fastest growing shipping business
Roberto Giorgi, president of V.Ships and a Scorpio board member, accepted the award on his behalf.
IMO THEMED AWARD "IMO Conventions: Effective Implementation"
Award sponsored by China Classifications Society
Winner: Internatinal Association of Classification Societies.
Award accepted on their behalf by Mr Roberto Cazzulo, Chairman, IACS.
There are many stakeholders involved in the effective implementation of the requirements in IMO Conventions. However, the winner of this award has been chosen because of the key role it plays in the effective, uniform and global implementation of IMO instruments.
The association has been recognised for making a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through compliance verification and technical support. Its members issue statutory certificates to ships acting on behalf of governments who are the signatories to such IMO Conventions as SOLAS, MARPOL and Load Line.
Consequently, the association has been uniquely placed for the last 45 years to provide feedback and technical advice to the regulators who attend IMO meetings.
SEATRADE AWARD FOR COUNTERING PIRACY
Award sponsored by DP World
Winner: Joint Maritime Industry Project Partners: Shell, BP, Maersk, Stena and the Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and "K" Line
Award accepted by: Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President Shipping & Maritime, Shell International Trading & Shipping Company Ltd.
With a goal to address the problem at its core, the Joint Maritime Industry Project was initiated by Shell in 2013 to support capacity building projects in piracy hot spots in Somalia. The project, which brings together Shell, BP, Maersk, Stena and the Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and "K" Line, has pledged a total of $2.5 million to fund the "Alternative Livelihoods to Piracy in Puntland and Central Regions of Somalia Project." This project aims to strengthen community resilience against piracy through a range of activities intended to stimulate local economic development, support entrepreneurship and create jobs, particularly for vulnerable youth in the areas where piracy is prevalent.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) scoped and is now implementing the project. A recent highlight includes the expansion of the local market in Adado – a busy town in central Somalia – that provides new employment for retailers and improves opportunity for farmers to sell their produce.
Other awards made on the night were:
SAFETY AT SEA
Award sponsored by Lloyd's Register
Winner: Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme
Award collected by Dr Peter Swift, Chairman
CLEAN SHIPPING
Award sponsored by ABS
Winner: International Paint Ltd
Award collected by Mr Trevor Solomon, Intersleek Business Manager
INNOVATION IN SHIP OPERATIONS
Award sponsored by Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard – ASRY
Winner: Subsea Industries
Award collected Mr David Phillips, Hydrex Group Communications Executive, Editor for Journal of Ship Hull Performance, Hydrex White Papers
INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE
Award sponsored by DNV GL
Winner: SVITZER A/S
Award collected by Mr Philipp Knebel, Head of Business Development, SVITZER Middle East Ltd.
Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO), said in his summary address, "Over the last 27 years, Seatrade Awards have been supported by successive IMO Secretary General's - C P Srivastava, William O'Neil, Efthimios Mitropoulos and myself. This is an important mechanism for the shipping industry and also for International Maritime Organization. The vision is to raise the profile of international shipping and over that time we have seen significant encouragement and as far as IMO is concerned while I am Secretary General, we will continue to support this very important activity"
Surprise Charity Donation
In a very generous gesture, His Excellency Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman of Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard – ASRY, took the opportunity of presenting Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization, with a donation for the International Search and Rescue (SAR) Trust Fund – the Fund supports developing countries establish/improve maritime SAR capabilities to locate and rescue persons at sea, including seafarers, fishermen, passengers, recreational sailors.
His Excellency said, "We at ASRY, as the leading shipyard in the Arabian Gulf, are dedicated to the security and safety of all seafarers. We want to do all that we can to make the seas as safe and secure as possible and hope that our contribution and ongoing support will help to reduce the risks involved in seafaring, and help the delivery of priority activities and projects on maritime search and rescue".
In keeping with the non-profit making motives of the Seatrade Awards scheme, Seatrade also make a donation from the proceeds to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and The Mission to Seafarers.
For further information, visit seatrade-awards.com
**ENDS**
Images:
Global Performer
Lifetime Achievement
2014 Seatrade Winners
Contacts:
John Foreman, Global Head of Marketing: [email protected]
Chris Morley, Project Manager: [email protected]
Editors' Notes:
Seatrade Awards: The Seatrade Awards were first launched in 1989 and have developed into one of the most respected and recognised global maritime award schemes, with the logo regarded as a recognised symbol of excellence. The scheme rewards those who have demonstrated innovative solutions for safe, efficient and environmentally friendly shipping and is in keeping with the goals and objectives of the International Maritime Organization.
This year's judging panel:
Chairman:
Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The Judges:
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Clinton-Davis, PC, Former Chairman, Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ACOPS)
Mr John Denholm, President, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
Mr Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman, Cruise Lines International Association Europe (CLIA)
Dr John Coustas, Chairman, Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA)
Mr Roberto Cazzulo, Chairman, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
Mr Masamichi Morooka, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
Mr John Platsidakis, Chairman, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO)
Capt Graham Westgarth, Chairman, International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)
Capt David Cotterell, Director, Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)
Seatrade: Established over 40 years ago, Seatrade is a leader in maritime and cruise publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects. Regular events include international trade exhibitions and conferences across all maritime sectors, management training courses for shipping professionals, training seminars for travel agents and maritime award schemes, including the prestigious Seatrade Awards held at the Guildhall in London. Seatrade publications include magazines, supplements and yearbooks, whilst daily maritime news is provided online by seatrade-global.com and seatrade-insider.com.