Operators, officials and industry leaders gathered together last night in Abu Dhabi to honour the achievements of the world's top performing ports in the areas of Efficiency, Innovation, Environment and Safety and Security at the annual World Ports & Trade Awards.
Held yesterday evening, the World Ports & Trade Summit Awards were attended by more than 300 industry professionals, members of the IAPH (International Association of Ports & Harbours) along with guest of honour, HE Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, Minister of Environment.
Presenting the first award of the evening was Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman, ADPC, hosts of the evening. The award was presented to PSA International Pte Ltd for Safety & Security and received by Mr Mia Hock Goh, Head of Group Process & Assurance.
Also taking to the stage to present an award was Grant Gilfillan, CEO and Director, Sydney Ports Corporation, and First Vice President, IAPH Asia and Oceania, who also spoke earlier in the day at the Opening Keynote Session for the World Ports & Trade Summit. Mr Gilfillan presented Kuwait & Gulf Link Ports International with the award for the highly contested 'Efficiency' category, as the Gulf state saw off stiff competition from Tanzania, Busan and Shanghai.
H.E Mohamed Thani Murshed Al Rumaithi - Chairman, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry - Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry presented the Port of Barcelona with the award for Innovation which was received by its Deputy General Manager and Chairman of the European Seaports Organisation, Mr Santiago Garcia- Mila.
Shortlisted nominees for the Environmental award included Sydney Ports, Port of Gothenburg, Port of Rotterdam and Port of Los Angeles, but it was Belgium's Port of Antwerp that claimed the sought-after accolade, marking its second WPTS award after its CEO, Eddy Bruyninckx, won the WPTS Ports Award in 2012.
The final award of the evening was the coveted 'WPTS Personality of the Year' and this was presented to Mr L Radhakrishnan, Chairman of India's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust for his 'outstanding contribution to the industry'.
The awards were held at the luxurious St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort during a gala dinner event hosted by leading international broadcaster & presenter, Naga Munchetty.
Commenting on this year's awards, Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade and chair of the 2013 judging panel, said: "Our thanks go out not only to our esteemed judging panel, which included EE Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organisation and Dr Peter Swift, former MD of Intertanko, but to the international maritime industry.
"This year we saw 14 of the world's top port operators representing established destinations, as well as those at the forefront of development in some of the world's most exciting emerging markets, make it to the awards shortlist. The level of commitment from the industry to creating a global dialogue and sharing best practice is prompting a new era of cross-border and international co-operation that will drive sustainable trade links and economic prosperity."
Organised by Seatrade, the World Ports & Trade Summit is held in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).
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