Maritime Industry

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Director of Maritime Advisory Services,
BSICO

Eng. Ali Shehab is the former Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), the Maritime Transportation arm of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), after having serving there for more than 35 years in various positions, including 7+ years as Deputy Chief Executive Officer Fleet Operations. During his tenure, he oversaw KOTC’s Fleet Operations, Marine Agency, and the Gas Filling Branches that supply LPG to the whole of Kuwait.

Prior to assuming Deputy Chief Executive Fleet Operations role in mid-2013, he had successfully managed KOTC’s multi-billion-dollar Fleet New Building Program that helped induct modern, environment-friendly technologies for safety and pollution prevention on board all KOTC vessels, and expanded KOTC’s Tanker fleet to match KPC’s strategic objective of increasing Kuwait’s oil production capacity to 4 million barrels per day.

He has served as distinguished Chairman and Board Member in KOTC’s subsidiary Shipping companies, and represented KOTC as a Board Member in Insurance and Industry bodies. As the Chairman of KOTC’s Risk Operating Committee, he oversaw KOTC’s company-wide Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) implementation Program. He also served as the Honorary Chairman of the DNV- GL Middle East Technical Committee since 2015, Deputy Chairman of ClassNK, and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarEST).

A graduate from South Tyneside Marine College, United Kingdom, Eng. Ali had served on board KOTC vessels in various capacities till 2001 upto the rank of Chief Engineer. Subsequently, he managed KOTC’s vessels as Technical Superintendent ashore and built up the Fleet Personnel Group where he was responsible for the Training and Development of Marine Engineers and Deck cadets onboard KOTC and KOC vessels, before moving on to lead the Company’s prestigious Fleet New Building Project.

He is quite well known in the industry circles for his passionate championing and advocacy of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. His remarkable leadership role in foreseeing and managing the ongoing COVID-19 crisis to ensure uninterrupted operations in the face of unprecedented challenges has drawn all-round appreciation from his peers and colleagues. As a leader, he has always placed great trust and faith in the inherent capabilities of his colleagues, and has always motivated them to explore and develop and reach to their maximum potential.

Medical Advisor,
Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC)

Dr. Fahad Al-Obaid, currently work as Medical Advisor, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), and working as Maritime medicine specialist since 2013, He hold many degrees including. Canadian board occupational medicine, FRCP, Canada. Fellowship in Clinical Occupational Medicine, University of Alberta, Canada, MPH in Public Health Leadership, University of Alberta, Canada.

Recently he was assigned as Approved seafarer’s doctors, for Norwegian Maritime Authority. He did formal training in the fields of Maritime Medicine, and Diving Medicine, Diploma in Petroleum offshore doctor, and hold certificate in Aviation Medicine, Monash University, Australia.

Professional Experience

• Occupational medicine consultant
• Head of corona task team – Kuwait oil tanker company.
• Member of COVID-19 committee – Kuwait petroleum company
• Fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• Member of Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM).
• Member of International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).
• Member of The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
• Member of KPC HSE 2030 Initiative Subcommittee (initiative #5).
• Head of Technical Unit in The Minister Of Health Office, State of Kuwait (2012).
• Secretary of the Social Communication Committee (Official twitter account), Ministry of Health, State Of Kuwait. (2012).
• Member of the Scientific Subcommittee, the Kuwait Heart Society.
• Senior Registrar in Occupational Medicine Department, Shouba Industrial Medical Center MOH. (2011-2012).
• Attended medical review officer course with ACOEM in Seattle, USA 2010.
• Member of Awareness Team of Chemical Substance (ATOCS) Kuwait EPA in 2004.

Projects:

1. Assessment of Organic Food Impact on Community (Group Project U of A).
2. Noise Exposure Effect on Pregnancy.
3. Impact of Sudden Noise Impulse on Hearing.
4. Cadmium Exposure Risk Assessments.
5. Barriers to Return to Work, Predictive Model.
6. Road Map To Health Reforms In Kuwait “Policy Proposal”

Director,
Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy

Dr Yasser Wahedi manages day-to-day operations at the Academy by developing and monitoring procedures and policies ensuring regulatory compliance. He is also charged with devising and implementing the Academy’s overall long term strategic plans. Prior to his joining Abu Dhabi Ports, Dr Al Wahedi garnered more than 14 years’ experience in the field of industrial research and academia. A seasoned educator, Dr Al Wahedi has taught university programmes to more than 600 students spanning Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Economics and Process Control, and has supervised and co-supervised more than 10 graduate projects (M.Sc. and PhD) as well as seven senior design projects. His research includes authoring and coauthoring 26 journal publications. Dr Al Wahedi spent two years at the ADNOC Sour Gas Shah project, where he conducted simulation studies and authored a design training manual. In subsequent years, he offered consultancy services and industrial expertise across ADNOC’s network of subsidiaries. He has served in several research committees, as well as the Chief Technology Officer at the Gas Research Center. A committed and noteworthy inventor, Dr Al Wahedi is a patent holder of one granted patent and four filed patents. Dr Al Wahedi received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the United States ranked third over USA in 2015.

Executive Director,
International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

Roger Harris is the Executive Director of the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). Roger joined the International Committee on Seafarer’s Welfare (ICSW), the predecessor to ISWAN, over twelve years ago. Roger has been responsible for developing ISWAN into a leading international seafarers’ welfare organisation. For the last five years Roger has played a key role in developing ISWAN’s work on mental wellbeing. ISWAN runs the SeafarerHelp helpline and bespoke emotional support lines for a number of shipping companies. Working with Dr Pennie Blackburn, a clinical psychologist, ISWAN now offers a range of online mental wellbeing courses aimed at the maritime industry.

Regional Director, Middle East and South Asia,
The Mission to Seafarers

Andy has been married for more than 30 years, has 4 children and 1 grandson – he considers these his greatest achievements, along with the 20 foster children who have passed through his family. He moved from social work in the UK to support those impacted by HIV/AIDS in Asia in the 90’s. On return he became a Director with a national disability charity before training to become a Priest. Since then he has started a church in a café/restaurant where he was also the chef, explored creative ways of helping people engage with faith, opened a young peoples community hub & ice cream parlour called ‘Not just Sundaes’ & cycled around the UK setting a world record in the process. He spent 4 years working for ‘Head Office’ of the Anglican Church leading the focus on poverty and justice issues. Since 2018 he has been in Dubai working with the Mission to Seafarers across the Middle East and South Asia. Andy has 20 years engagement in international development work, started 3 social enterprises and was first team life-coach at Southampton FC for 10 seasons. He is a board member with CMS (Church Mission Society) having previously served in the same capacity with Tearfund (UK).

Chief Executive Officer,
Emirates Ship Investment Company LLC

Chris Peters Joined Eships in May 2009 and took over as CEO in March 2017, having previously been the CFO. Chris joined Eships from GE Commercial Finance and was previously at Nordea Bank, having almost 20 years banking experience, of which the last 13 years were directly in shipping/offshore finance. Chris attained an MBA from Cass (formerly City University) Business School London, majoring in Finance and Strategy. He has worked on multiple senior debt and project finance facilities as MLA and has overseen several shipping IPO facilities. Whilst at GE he was responsible for structuring and negotiating several equity acquisitions from a shipping fleet to a shipping bank. As CEO, Chris is directly responsible for the implementation of the shareholders strategy for the business ensuring not only the financial targets are met, but met, whilst upholding the groups commitment to safety and good corporate governance.

Managing Director,
Constellation Marine Services

Capt. Zarir Iràni, FIIMS, FICS, AFNI, HCMM, Asso. CII, NAMS-CMS, MBA
The Chair at Board of Directors at Constellation Marine Services, London, UAE & SINGAPORE.
Current Board member & immediate past global President of – International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) – (2018-2020)
Global Assurance committee member at Nautical Institute, UK.

“A Surveyor delivers trust, accountability and competency via his independent report first and then knowledge and efficiency – much later.”- as quoted by Zarir Irani.

Zarir represents Antiqua & Barbuda Maritime & Flag State Administration as their sole representative and Regional Director for UAE & Singapore.

Over 29 years of work experience in the Maritime and Offshore oil gas industry of which 16 years as an Independent surveyor having concluded 22,500 nominations as principal of Constellation Marine. (A Master Mariner holding MCA class I license Unlimited foreign going (FG) (valid until 2022.)

Industry Expertise:
• OCIMF Accredited, OVID Inspector(valid 2020)
• Maritime Law-Southampton-short course
• Expert witness @ DIFC courts and courts of Appeal.
• Advanced Accident investigation course
• Member of Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)-UK
• Full Member of NAMS CMS Global, USA
• HAZMAT Course, Warranty surveying course
• NEPIA Loss Prevention course.
• Associate Fellow of Nautical Institute and member of Global Assurance committee UK
• Lead Auditor (IRCA approved)
• Life member of Honorable Company of Master Mariners India & Annual member HCMM in UK.

Managing Director,
Marsh JLT Specialty, Marine & Cargo Division

Mark Cracknell has 35 years’ experience of the marine insurance markets. Mark began his career at Steamship Mutual, before joining Sedgwick in 1992. After Sedgwick’s acquisition by Marsh in 1998, he became head of Marsh’s P&I team in London. He went on to lead the London marine operations of both Benfield Corporate Risk and Aon, following Benfield’s acquisition by Aon in 2008. In 2013 he joined JLT, and with Marsh’s acquisition of JLT in 2019 he is pleased to be back at Marsh where, along with some broader client relationship duties, he heads Marsh JLT Specialty’s UK P&I team.

General Manager,
GIC of India

Satyajit Tripathy, is currently General Manager and manages Agriculture, Aviation, Liability, Marine, Misc., Motor, Re Takaful, Credit Rating, Corporate Communications, HR & Training, Vigilance Compliance, Investor Relations, Investment Accounts at GIC of INDIA.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in science (agriculture) from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, a post-graduate diploma in Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar(XIMB) and has completed the licentiate examination of the Insurance Institute of India.

He joined GIC of INDIA in March 1, 1988 as a direct recruit officer. Previously, he has worked as Assistant Manager in AICL, Delhi, Chief Manager in Investment Department, Assistant General Manager in Investment (Operations) Department and Deputy General Manager in Agriculture Reinsurance, Investment Mid- Back office of GIC. Before joining Crop Insurance Deptt of GIC he was Chief Investment Officer of GIC from 2015-18.

CEO,
Islamic P&I Club

Amir Mosadeghi started his cooperation with the Club as the IT Manager since the establishment of Islamic P&I Club and assisted IPIC in preparing a proper platform of communication between the clients and the company from one side and within the club’s different departments from the other side. After gaining an enormous amount of experience within the Club’s different sectors after two years, he was appointed as the Club Deputy CEO. Since 2005, when Islamic P&I Club officially established, he has been stationed in Dubai as IPIC regional manager, expanding the company’s market in the Middle-East while supervising the IPIC Jakarta office, responsible for South-East Asian markets as well as the recently opened representative office in Athens, Greece. Throughout these years, all the claims handled by the IPIC claims handling department as well as underwriting-related matters have been managed under his direction from Dubai office. In October 2015, he was nominated as the Club CEO which is attested and approved by the Organization of the Islamic Shipowners’ Association.

In October 2017 and during the Maritime Standard Awards held in Atlantis Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, he has been awarded as a Young Person in Shipping within the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.

Portfolio Underwriter,
TT Club Mutual Insurance Ltd – Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Eastern Med.

Julien has been with the Thomas Miller Group since 2003, initially working for the UK P&I Club before transferring to the TT Club in 2006. In 2014 he relocated to Dubai where he served as a Director of TTMS Gulf, the Network Partner of TT Club in the Middle East. In 2020 he returned to the London to lead the Underwriting for TT Club in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey & the Eastern Med regions as the Portfolio Senior Underwriter.

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, including road, rail and airfreight operators.

Julien is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (FCII) and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Insurance from the World Maritime University. He has been a Member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners since 2013.

General Secretary,
Insurance Federation of Egypt

Insurance expert with more than 25 years of richly diversified experience in insurance industry as practitioner, consultant and trainer.

Besides, he served at the cutting – edge of Maritime industry as an economic researcher with Maritime Research and Consultation Center (Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport).
His Areas of expertise encompass Underwriting, underwriting management, Key account management, International insurance programmes and Takaful.

Throughout his career he has supported insurance professionals, executives and board members through conducting insurance courses ad seminars in various areas of insurance across the Middle East.
He published many books and articles in Marine insurance.

Tarek holds a PhD degree in Maritime Economics, MSc in Marine Insurance, B. Com (Economics). He is also a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute.

CEO,
South Asia Gateway Terminals

Romesh David is CEO of South Asia Gateway Terminals (www.sagt.com.lk). Prior to his appointment as CEO of SAGT, he worked for 38 years at Sri Lanka’s premier blue-chip conglomerate, John Keells Holdings PLC (www.keells.com), where he was President of the Transportation Group, responsible for strategic business units in the ports & shipping, logistics, airlines and aviation services sectors.

A Chartered Fellow of the century old Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, he currently serves as International Vice President of CILT for South Asia and is a Global Advisor to WiLAT (Women in Transport & Logistics). He also serves as President of the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce, is Chair of the National Agenda Committee on Transport & Logistics of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and a member of the IFC’s Women-in-Work, High-Level Advocacy Group in Sri Lanka.

Business Development Director- ME & Africa, DNV GL – Maritime

He is a Marine Engineer who started his career at sea and after sailing as a Chief Engineer joined DNV in 1995 at Bahrain. He started out as a Surveyor and a Lead Auditor for Quality and Safety Management system and later relocated to Singapore. As a Project Manager for Conversions in Singapore he was amongst the pioneers involved in shuttle tanker conversions & LNG Ships Life Extensions. He subsequently took on the role of Country manager for Indonesia & after a successful assignment there relocated back to Singapore. He established the Singapore Service Center where, as a Senior Principal Surveyor and Lead Auditor he streamlined customer support & enhanced efficiency by providing a single point of contact for all operational issues.

He relocated to Dubai late last year and took up his present role.

Founder,
Zaitoun Green Shipping Company

Internationally recognized and renowned globally across the maritime industry, Mr. Mohamed Zaitoun, an engineer by training, has brought his 30+ years of experience and technical knowledge to our organization to enhance and innovate the world of green shipping. During his career, boasting a project-budget of approximately USD 4 billion, Mr. Zaitoun has specialized in the construction of nearly 35 innovative and highly efficient mega vessels, acting as both an active contributing member for projects belonging to acclaimed companies such as Hyundai, and Samsung Heavy Industries.

Mr. Zaitoun continues to partner with top tier manufacturers and suppliers in the industry.

Under his visionary guidance, the revolutionary state of the art vessels produced countless TEU records, essentially revitalizing the shipping industry.

Mr. Zaitoun is an ex-United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) A. Vice President (New Building Technical Projects) and head of multiple industry organizations. Mr. Zaitoun is sought after for his technological expertise, lectures and featured numerously in specialized journal publications.

Mr. Zaitoun holds an engineering degree in Marine Engineering and has maintained up-to-date skills through ongoing coursework in Maritime Studies at various reputable and prestigious institutes.

Deputy CEO,
CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal

Mr. Naser Al Busaeedi is the Deputy CEO of CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal (CSP ADT) and the Secondee from Abu Dhabi Ports in CSP ADT. CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal operates a Container Terminal in Khalifa Port, of Abu Dhabi.

Mr. Naser Al Busaeedi manages the overall daily business activities at CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal and leads the various teams which includes Project, Commercial, HSSE, HR, Security, Quality, Legal and Business Continuities of CSP ADT. Mr. Naser ensures a quality performance and service of the Terminal and adapted a quality work culture in the organization which is best in the industry.

Mr. Naser has practically 25 years of experience and started his professional career with Abu Dhabi Port in Port Operations. The Key contributions during his carrier include Managing the Ports and new projects, setting up of Fujairah Port, Terminal businesses and building Customer Operations units within port sites such as Roro Operations in Khalifa Port, Container Freight Station at Khalifa Port, EGA operations and General Cargo Operations at Khalifa Port, etc

From 2015, he is assigned as the Terminal Manager of Khalifa Port and set up the Roro Terminal at KP, Established Maqta Gateway systems in Khalifa Port and various other key business & project developments including Cosco Terminal Project. Considering the exemplary contribution to Abu Dhabi Ports project developments, in 2017, he has been assigned as the secondee from AD Port to CSP Abu Dhabi terminal during for the project development stage and currently holding the position of Deputy CEO of CSP ADT.

Mr. Naser Al Busaeedi possesses BTEC in Strategic Management & Leadership from Cornerstone College of International Studies and a master’s degree in Strategic Management (MBA-Strategic Management) from University of Wolverhampton, UK. In addition, He has been attended various courses and trainings and awarded with MAFNOOD Award, Best Contractor Management Winner and Best HSE Performance Winner

Regional Director of Business Development – ME & Africa,
ABS

Chris Greenwood is the Regional Director for Business Development for ABS, responsible for the Middle East & Africa; based in Dubai, UAE.

Chris joined ABS in 2008 as a graduate trainee starting his career in ABS’s London Engineering Plan Approval office before moving to Houston, Texas for initial training. Chris was subsequently posted to South Korea where he spent 6 years after which he transferred to Japan where he spent a further 3 years. Chris then returned home to the UK as the Principal Surveyor in Charge of ABS’ Aberdeen Port; responsible for ABS’ North Sea operations. After a short spell in ABS’ Corporate office in Houston, Texas running a strategic project, Chris was assigned to his current role in February 2020.

Chris has a Bachelors in Marine Technology from the University of Plymouth, a Masters in Project & Programme Management specializing in Oil & Gas from the University of Liverpool, and Post-Graduate certificates in Strategic Operations Management and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning from the Universities of Copenhagen and Oxford, respectively. Chris is married with twin 4-year old sons, and is passionate about anything to do with the sea.

CEO,
Oman Shipping Company & Oman Drydocks Company

Ibrahim Al-Nadhairi is the Chief Executive Officer for Oman Shipping Company and Oman Dry Dock Company, His last position was Chief Operating Officer of Oman Shipping Company and in charge of the ship management segment looking after the technical management of the fleet and overseeing the running of the company’s asset with third party managers. He is leading a multinational organization to run a business that extends all over the world with mobile units and over 1900 persons. Extensive experience in engineered systems and process that require deep understanding of critical business drivers in multiple market and industries. Highly successful in seizing control of critical problems and delivering on customer commitments. Industry focused and performance driven. Ibrahim has undergone extensive executive training at INSEAD and is a UK qualified chief engineer with MBA and PhD in management.

Senior VP – Shipmanagement,
Delta Corp Shipping

Caroline Huot is Senior Vice President – Shipmanagement at DELTA CORP SHIPPING PTE LTD, a DELTA CORP Group affiliate, dedicated – inter alia – to commercial and technical ship management and operations for the dry bulk and tanker sectors and offering a wide range of efficient integrated logistics solutions to owners, managers and shippers globally.

A French national, with an original background in finance, international affairs and business law, she has more than 30 years’ experience in Downstream Oil and Shipping Industries . Amongst a number of high profile positions, she has served as CEO and Managing Director for GULF OIL MARINE, as Managing Director for TOTAL Lubmarine Asia Pacific, as COO and CCO of an independent Downstream diversified Oil group in Africa, operating its own products tankers as well as petroleum and jet fuel storages and more recently as Global Head within COCKETT Group, a global Energy reseller affiliated to VITOL and Grindrod.

Over the years, Caroline has been a regular speaker in Shipping and Maritime conferences, offering expert knowledge of marine engines lubrication, global maritime logistics and supply operations as well as other maritime related topics.

Based in Singapore for the last 7 years, throughout her career Caroline has worked in various locations in Asia Pacific, Central America, Europe and Africa and speaks English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

During most of her professional path, she has been focusing on providing operational excellence and global supply solutions to Owners and Ship Managers, building mutually profitable long term partnerships.

Senior Manager,
Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre

Vanessa Welch has established a career in operations and corporate management in the UAE over a span of 25 years. Her journey in logistics and then shipping started in 2003 and has seen her working in supply chain management, chartering and operations. In her role at Vela International Marine Limited from 2007, Vanessa specialized in crude chartering and scheduling specifically with VLCCs. Having taken a year’s sabbatical to complete her studies with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), then winning the ICS award for Tanker Chartering in recognition from Shell, Vanessa joined the United Arab Chemical Carriers and worked in the commercial department with vessels carrying petroleum products. In 2019, the ICS recognized Vanessa as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, one of the few women in the Middle East to have achieved that honour. After a short absence from the maritime industry, Vanessa returned to a role with the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre as their Senior Manager. As part of the Centre’s founding team, and taking a lead in the Centre’s business development and marketing efforts, as well as, playing an integral role in the Dubai’s maritime cluster, Vanessa has helped create a platform that brings the maritime community together through discussion about issues and frustrations faced in the sector as a whole. EMAC’s breakfasts have been a staple event for the maritime industry in the region for the last few years. In bridging the gap between legal and commercial, her mantra continues to be that of ‘Be the change you would like to see in the world.’ With that in mind, Vanessa continues to be involved in various initiatives through which shipping can market itself to attract talent to build on competency in the sector.

President,
WISTA UK

Sue Terpilowski is the Chair of Maritime UK’s Women’s Task Group driving forward real change in diversity within the sectors and also President of WISTA UK (Women in Shipping and Trade). WISTA UK’s purpose is to help promote networking, provide educational activities and events and the exchange of experiences among women who are working in the sectors of shipping, maritime and international trade.

Sue is also Chairman of the Ports, Maritime and Waterways within CILT, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and is their new Policy Chair. She regularly chairs sessions and acts as a facilitator for CILT on sector related issues including SOLAS, CTU Code, M2M/Autonomous/Automation, portcentric and port trends and is a regular speaker and facilitator at maritime and logistics conferences and seminars around the world.

As a member of Women in Logistics and Women in Transport groups, Sue is also a member of the steering committee of the London Freight Forum (TfL group) and is one of the forum chairs and advisor on associated freight matters, bringing together TfL and the freight sector.

London policy chairman for the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), Sue is regularly interviewed and quoted in the business press radio and television as an expert source on a wide range of issues affecting the self-employed, micro and small businesses. She also appeared on BBC television in the final of the Apprentice 2015 as part of the interview panel making the choices of winning contestants.

Chairperson and Managing Director,
The Shipping Corporation of India

Mrs. H.K.Joshi, Chairperson and Managing Director, joined SCI on 5th February, 2015 as Director (Finance) and was also appointed as CFO, SCI w.e.f. the same date. During her term lasting less than five years, she held multiple additional charges from time to time at the Board level – of Director (Personnel & Administration) in 2017-18, Director (Bulk Carrier & Tankers) in 2019, CMD from 12th September 2019 consequent to completion of the tenure of the former CMD and currently she holds the additional charge of Director (Finance) w.e.f. 19th December 2019 when she was appointed by the Government of India as the Chairperson & Managing Director, SCI.

Senior VP,
Ship Management, ADNOC Logistics & Services

Captain Al Ali started his career with NGSCO in 1996 as deck cadet and made his way through the ranks until he sailed as first UAE National Master on LNG carrier in 2008. Later in 2009 he joined the head office of ADNATCO-NGSCO to serve as Operations Manager, Tanker Fleet Manager and in 2013 was appointed Senior Vice President of Operations supervising the Operations of all LNG, Tanker and Dry Bulk Fleets as well as Marine personnel.

In 2017, following the merger of ESNAAD, IRSHAD and ADNATCO, he assumed the role of Senior Vice President Shipping at ADNOC Logistics & Services to supervise the operations of all Shipping Fleet.

Captain Al Ali has been actively involved in sponsoring the energy efficiency project and maintenance optimization projects, achieving Energy Management Standard ISO 50001 and Asset Management Standard 55001. He supported the takeover of 16 new deliveries in 2011. Capt Al Ali has lead his team into achieving various Maritime awards including ADNOC HSE, Dubai Sustainability, Maritime Standard and Sea Trade awards.

He holds an Executive Master Degree in Business Administration from Zayed University and BSc degree in Maritime Business and Management from John Moores University in Liverpool.

Senior Managing Director,
Middle East, ISC and Africa, Hapag Lloyd

Dheeraj Bhatia is the current Senior Managing Director, Region Middle East for Hapag Lloyd Middle East based in Dubai.

Prior to this Dheeraj assumed the position of Managing Director Area ISC in June 2015 after the merger of Hapag-Lloyd and CSAV. Previously, he held various management positions at CSAV. After joining CSAV in 2003, Dheeraj held senior positions in Asia Regional Operations until 2007, when he was appointed as the Line Manager for the Asia-Europe Trades. In 2008, he was nominated as the President of the India Agency for CSAV Group and Norasia Container Lines. In 2011, he became the Senior Vice President ISC – Middle East Region. In 2013, Dheeraj moved to the United States and continued his career in New York as President Region North America, Central America and Caribbean Islands.

Dheeraj’s entrepreneurial traits have led him to initiate and execute changes in the business strategy to achieve profitability, improve customer perception and cost efficiency.

Dheeraj is a Master Mariner by profession and a trained Pilot. He has a 12-year sailing and piloting career before he came ashore in 2003. He also holds various Chairman and Directorships at various Hapag Lloyd entities.

CEO,
Port of Haifa

Mendi Zaltzman is CEO of Haifa Port Co. Ltd., a post he has held since September 2008. Mendi has also held a number of other senior positions within Israel’s ports industry in a management career stretching back to 1986. His distinguished track record includes periods as CEO of both Haifa Port and Eilat Port, while he has also served as Vice President of the Israel Port Authority and Statutory Regulator of Haifa Port Co. Ltd for the Ministry of Transport.

Chairman,
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)

One of Sri Lanka’s most senior military figures, General Daya Ratnayake has been chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority since December 2019. This follows a distinguished service career, culminating in being appointed commander of the Sri Lankan army between 2013-15. He has also chaired the National Sports Council and is a past President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka.

Commercial Director,
DP World- UAE Region

Shahab Al Jassmi is the Commercial Director at DP world UAE Region with responsibility for spearheading the core commercial functions such as – Container Terminal, General Cargo, Trade & Logistics, Customer Care and Business Process Improvement for Jebel Ali, Mina Rashid and Mina Hamriya.

Prior to joining DP World in 2010, Shahab handled key commercial responsibilities in various companies including Dubai World Central and Dubai Aluminium.

Shahab earned his Bachelor degree with Honors in Business Management from the University of Dubai and possesses a postgraduate diploma in real-estate management from the Dubai real-estate institute. In addition to this, he has successfully completed the DP World Leadership Development Program.

Chief – Commercial and Strategy Officer,
Ports, Abu Dhabi Ports

Ross joined Abu Dhabi Ports in 2016 as Vice President of Commercial and Business Development in the company’s Ports Unit. In that role, Ross was responsible for the Sales, Business Development and Customer Service departments. In January 2017 Ross was appointed Acting Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, responsible for the functions of Corporate Commercial and Strategy, Quality and Excellence, as well as Business Process and Business Intelligence.

Over the past 16 years, Ross has been specialising in leading and managing sales revenue, commercial process and commercial strategy across multiple sites and market sectors having worked for leading international companies in the industry such as the Peel Ports Group and American President Lines (APL).

President,
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone

Completing 4 Decades of experience, Capt. Sandeep Mehta is one of the foremost stalwarts of the Indian Maritime industry. During this tenure, Capt Mehta has acquired considerable expertise in the various aspects of the Port Management, Shipping, Logistics and Infrastructure business.

Capt Mehta’s areas of responsibility have encompassed Supply Chain and International Logistics, Bulk & Container port operations, Global Liner Shipping, Port Infrastructure development and Management.

Embarking upon his career as a seafarer, Capt Mehta rapidly progressed up the ranks to become a Captain, assuming command of ships which were then amongst the largest in the merchant carrier fleet. After 12 years of sailing, Capt Mehta decided to move offshore, where he handled a number of successively senior positions in the Container Shipping industry.

After successful completion of a challenging stint in the highly competitive Container Shipping industry, Capt. Mehta ventured into the then nascent private port industry in India, joining the Adani Group as President and CEO of Mundra Ports and SEZ. During this period, Mundra rapidly evolved from a minor port to grow into India’s largest private port, in various businesses including Container Terminals, Bulk, Liquid and Automobile Logistics.

He was also responsible for development of Container Terminals, Private Rail Operations, Container Freight Stations & Inland Container Depots and grain storage facilities for the Adani Group in India.

He later took up the position of CEO for Adani ports in Australia, where he was a part of core management team, tasked to execute Adani Group’s integrated mine, rail and port development projects, including new port expansions.

Capt. Mehta currently serves as the President for Business Development activities of Adani Ports and it’s overseas port projects.
Capt. Mehta has over the years augmented his practical knowledge by undergoing various specialised courses in the field of Shipping and Transport.

Capt. Mehta has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Ship Broker’s, London and also the Company of Master Mariners, as well as being a Loss Assessor & Surveyor.

During his spare time, Capt. Mehta writes about issues related to the Maritime and Supply Chain industries. He is also a regular speaker at various Business and Industry forums and has been invited as a guest lecturer by various Management institutes. Capt. Mehta is also passionate about mentoring young people and helping them develop their skills. He firmly believes that a Skilled India will lead to a Developed India.

Secretary, International Shipsuppliers and Services Association (ISSA)

Elaborate Communications and Publisher of Ship Management International, Owner and founder of London International Shipping Week, and Secretary of the International Shipsuppliers & Services Association (ISSA)

Sean is also a Director of Shipping Innovation Ltd.

He has more than 35 years’ experience at the top of the international maritime public relations and publishing fields.

His long and varied career included nine years as Political Editor of Lloyd’s List prior to becoming Publishing Director of Informa’s Maritime Magazine division, which he followed by setting up his own maritime publishing and public relations business, Elaborate Communications.

He is Publisher of the shipping industry’s leading owning and management magazine Ship Management International and is a regular visitor and contributor at global maritime conferences and events.

Sean Moloney is also a Shipwright and a Freeman of the City of London.

Managing Director,
Middle East and South Asia, ClassNK

After graduating from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Abdul Rahim started his career with Cochin Shipyard building Panamax bulk carriers and the first generation of double hull tankers. Later, after receiving masters and doctoral degrees in Ship Structures from Hiroshima University, Japan, he joined ClassNK in Tokyo, and worked for ClassNK ever since for the past 27 years. He had long stints in Japan, Singapore, London and Mumbai, and is currently the Managing Director for Middle East and South Asia, based in ClassNK Dubai office.

He received the Singapore Joint RINA and IMarEST Branch Award in 2004 and the Stanley Gray Medal of the IMarEST in 2005 for his works on the development of Advanced Structural Rules which was the forerunner of IACS Common Structural Rules. He represented Japan in ISO STEP development program, and was a member of several national programs in Japan as well as IACS working groups. He published more than 70 technical research papers mainly on ship structures. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Marine Engineer, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST, UK) and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA, UK).

CEO,
J. M. Baxi & Co.

Sushil Mulchandani is an Engineering and Management graduate with vast experience in Shipping, Port and Logistics Sector. He joined J. M. Baxi & Co., the agency division of the JMB group, in Mumbai as a Management Trainee in Dec’1990 and is now its Chief Executive Officer since last two years.

He started his career in Ship Agency Operations at the premier port JNPT and was heading the operations team there for 12 years.

He then shifted to Visakhapatnam in Jan’2003 when the Visakha Container Terminal project was initiated by the J M BAXI GROUP. He worked his way up to the Chief Operating Officer’s position, which he held for 5 years from Jun’2013 to Aug’ 2018.

He then was elevated to position of CEO of the J. M. Baxi & Co. in Mumbai, a post that he presently holds since Sept’18.

He is with the J M BAXI GROUP throughout his career, which now is for more than 29 years.

Managing Director,
Lanka Shipping & Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd.

Ananda Senanayake was born in the UK and did most of his education in Dubai and the UK. He holds a BSc in Management Science from Warwick Business School, UK. After graduating in 2007, he spent 6 years working in Investment Banking representing banks such as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and The Royal Bank of Scotland both in the UK & Singapore. He joined Lanka Shipping & Logistics in 2013 and serves them as a Managing Director looking after their global business development strategies.

Director – Sales & Marketing, Saifee Ship Spare Parts & Ship Chandlers LLC

Mr Idris Shahpurwalla is Sales & Marketing Director of Saifee Ship Spare Parts & Ship Chandlers LLC. In his current role, he also looks after the daily operations of the Supply Chain arm along with continuous research in to supply chain technology and optimization of operations. Prior to joining the Saifee Group, Mr Idris Shahpurwalla was Sailing as an Engineer, followed by active supervision of various vessel new building programs and technical management.

IRS, Director General of Shipping and Additional Secretary to Govt. of India

Amitabh Kumar is a career civil servant belonging to the 1987 batch of Indian Revenue Service. He has done his Graduation and Post Graduation from Hindu College in Delhi University, and Masters in Business Administration from Southern Cross University, Australia. He has also done short courses in ‘Advanced Management’ from Maxwell School of Public Policy in USA and ‘Leadership and Change Management’ from Wharton Business School in USA.

Shri Kumar took over as Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India on 7th January 2019. Before that he worked as Additional D.G.Shipping & Joint Secretary, GoI, from 15th September, 2015.

He has a vast and varied experience of working in Government of India. He has worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 1997 to 2004, and in Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Shipping.

He is one of the five recipients of G-files Governance Award 2014, across all civil services, for his Exceptional Contribution for changing the orientation of Tax Administration from enforcement to Tax Payer Service and for introducing several innovating schemes in the field of tax administration. He is also recipient of 3 awards from Finance Minister on the occasion of 150 years of Income Tax and 7 commendations from CBDT.

Since his posting in the Directorate General of Shipping, he has been instrumental in drafting of new Merchant Shipping Bill & Multimodal Transportation of Goods Bill. He has introduced digital reforms in Maritime Administration by rolling out e-gov. platforms like e-migrant software, training module, Recruitment and Placement Service Module, Examination Module, Swatch Sagar, Biometric Seafarer Identity Document, Digital Certificates for Watch Keeping, DC endorsement, E-Learning, Virtual Classrooms, Online Exit Exams and Digital certificates for training, Online Ship Registration modules etc. .

Chairman, Sarbh Maritime & Former Exe. Chairman, P&O Ports South Asia & Middle East Region

He has the experience of fourty years in Marine Industry holding diverse Senior line Management positions.

He bid, won, planned, designed, constructed, managed and operated port assets worth approx USD 1.3 Billion in a difficult / challenging region.

28 June 1997, promoted to Chairman and Managing Director, P&O Ports South Asia Middle East Region.

16 Nov 1990, migrated to Australia and commenced shore career with P&O in Sydney Australia – 01 January 1991.

19 Jan 1987, took command on M. V. “ODEN” – car carrier.

Sailed on general cargo vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, oil/bulk/ore (OBO) carriers, ore carrier, multi purpose vessels, containers, car carriers and log carriers.

Began career on 17 July 1973 as a sea cadet.

Vice President Business Development – International Maritime Industries

Julian Panter was formally the Group Head of HR and Administration for Lamprell Energy Limited (LEL). He joined International Maritime Industries (IMI) in 2016 (following LEL’s commitment to take a 20% shareholding in IMI), moving across to IMI full-time during the initial start-up / planning phases; as the Vice President of HR and Training. Following successful registration of the Company and acquisition of key board approvals; allowing the Company to novate (in December 2017), he was asked to lead the Business Development function as Vice President in early 2018 and was formally appointed as a member of IMI’s Executive Committee soon after. Panter is now responsible for supporting the strategic direction of the Company by ensuring IMI works with key international partners in the global rig, ship building & MRO market. His team is responsible for building strong relationships with clients from the bid process, through the build, and then continuous build servicing. His team also have responsibility for corporate communications, marketing and brand development. Panter has a Masters’ Degree from Middlesex University in Human Resource Management and is a full Chartered Member of the CIPD. He has spent 13 years in the Middle East; 6 of those years with Lamprell in the UAE overseeing the Groups human resources and a further 4 years with IMI, based out of their corporate head office in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Group Chief Commercial Officer,
Gulftainer

David Casey has been appointed as new Group Chief Commercial Officer of Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately-owned independent port operator, headquartered in the UAE. In his new capacity, David is responsible for the development and execution of Gulftainer’s short- and long-term commercial and strategic plans to strengthen the company’s industry leadership.

With over two-and-a-half decades in high-profile leadership positions in the ports and logistics industry, David will be instrumental in steering the company’s growth and success globally.

In his previous roles, David served as Senior Director of Port Solutions for General Electric Transportation, prior to which he was Director of Logistics and Transportation for the Coca-Cola Company where he managed a team responsible for 19 concentrate plants on five continents.

David also served as Director of Development for the third-party logistics company Performance Team, and has held various posts at Newell Brands, V-Logic and American President Lines (APL) in the US and Hong Kong.

Director of Urban Planning and Permitting,
Abu Dhabi Ports

Hamza Badawi – Director of Urban Planning and Permitting in Abu Dhabi Ports, comes with a wealth of experience of around 20 years in master planning and development of Maritime projects and Economic Cities. Holder of Bsc of Architecture with Master of Urban Planning from American University of Sharjah. Through his career, he was involved in many projects ranging from development projects as an architect, city wide master planning and infrastructure design as an urban planner and engineer as well. His portfolio of projects includes Khalifa Port, Kizad Area A, Kizad Area B, New Dubai Abu Dhabi Highway, Dubai Water Front Projects (Palm Jumeriah, Water Front….). Hamza also manages in addition to his capacity in Master Planning the overall building permits and approval process for Abu Dhabi Ports customers within the ports and economic cities as well. Through his journey till now he handled more than 1billion square meters of land development from small projects to economic city development. Transportation and Infrastructure Planning also comes under his remit in the master planning as well. He also contributes to city wide activities in urban planning such as Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 Urban Framework Plan.

Chairman,
J.M. Baxi Group of Companies

Mr. Krishna Kotak is the Chairman of the J.M. Baxi Group of Companies, a business house, of more than 100 years of existence, and considered to be synonymous to the maritime infrastructure, transport and logistics industry in India.

Over the last 4 decades, Mr. Kotak has been an active participant in the growth story of J.M. Baxi Group and India as a whole, both of which have been evolutionary and revolutionary. From primarily being a maritime service and shipping agency company, the J.M. Baxi Group’s extensive offerings encompasses ship agency, freight forwarding, customs broking, projects and heavy lift transportation, container freight station and warehousing, inland container terminals and rail transport, container port terminals, offshore oil & gas sector, water treatment plants, wireless communications, as also the technology sector, especially for maritime and logistics.

Mr. Kotak has had the opportunity in assisting various trade bodies and associations and various Government fora, contributing to India’s successful growth story.

Chief Commercial Officer,
DP World – UAE Region

Abdulla Bin Damithan has been with DP World since 2001. He was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer for DP World – UAE Region in 2017. Abdulla is responsible for all revenue generation activities, products and services offered across the portfolio including Ports & Terminals, Parks & Zones and Trade Enablement solutions.

Abdulla is a recognised leader in the maritime & logistics landscape within the Middle East with commercial success across the maritime & logistics industries. His focus on innovation and customer centricity have been the core of his commercial strategy. Abdulla sits on the Board of a number of DP World Ports & Terminals globally and also is an independent director in logistics ventures.

A proud Emirati national, Abdulla has a Bachelors in Business from the United States and a Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Port Management from the National University of Singapore. He has also completed the Dubai Leaders Program and leadership courses at the London Business School.

Mr. P. Sankaranarayanan who uses the short name P. Sankar, is the Senior Vice President of Petrofac’ EPS, Sharjah, responsible for the Projects (Onshore and Offshore Oil & Gas Projects) and PMC business in Eastern hemisphere, covering Africa, CIS, Middle East and Asia Pacific. While he has handled mega Lumspum EPC Projects such as ADCO Asab, ZADCO UZ-750, etc, he enjoys the unique challenges in complex Brownfield Projects.

Sankar, who is a Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience, started his career with the Indian Space Research Organisation and then moved to the EPC Projects Division of Larsen & Toubro in India. He later joined Petrofac in 1998 and has grown with the Company, handling multitude of responsibilities – Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Tendering, etc.

In 2018, he took up the current assignment to develop the small & medium Projects and services business in the Eastern Hemisphere. His responsibilities include – market development, business acquisition and operations. In a short span of 2 years, he has been able to grow the business from 2 countries to 15 countries. Under his leadership, Petrofac’s EPS-East Division is also looking to expand to adjacent sectors, such as Petrochemicals, Chemicals, Utilities, etc and is open to strategic partnerships with local companies. Recently, looking into the Energy Transition market.

Director,
Lukoil Marine Lubricants

A senior executive with over 20 years of experience, June is presently the Managing Director at one of the largest marine lubricant supplier in the world, LUKOIL.

June’s career graph is as exceptional and inspiring as she is. To say that she is an icon admired and respected by women (and men) across the business world would be a gross understatement. A self-made success story, June hasn’t just broken the proverbial glass ceiling. She shattered it. In a largely male dominated industry, her determination and massive appetite for challenges has proven her skeptics wrong. Time and time again.

It all began in the early nineties when June took up an entry-level job with British Petroleum (BP) in Oman. It wasn’t long before she made her presence felt. However, when the time came for her family to relocate to Dubai in 1994, June requested a transfer to their UAE operations. Not keen to let go of a prodigious talent as June, BP retained her services within the Dubai offices.

June’s growth within the company was as rapid as her desire to learn. Working across all functions like Supply Chain, Customer Service, Credit, Strategy and Planning, she finally found her sweet spot in Sales specifically in the Marine Lubricants Sector. Back in the late nineties, she was one of only a handful of women engaged in the marine business. “I vividly remember my manager back then asking me if I was sure of taking up a sales assignment in marine lubricants” quips June.

CEO,
Arya Offshore

Cdr. Sunil Dhulekar is the CEO of Arya Offshore which is a group company of J M Baxi Group. Headquartered in Mumbai the company plays host to practically every major player in the upstream sector in India. As a result of its vast experience , Arya Offshore Services brings to the table an unique array of do’s and don’ts’ to all relevant entrants who need to navigate through the labyrinth of permissions, approvals and statutory compliances relating to operations in port, shipping, logistics and customs.

Arya Offshore Services today is the one of the largest service provider of its kind in India with over 300 trained personnel and with over 1500 contract personnel providing round the clock customized yet comprehensive services to the upstream oil and gas sector.

Cdr Sunil Dhulekar is an alumni of National Defence Academy. Commissioned in 1977 as an Executive Officer in the Indian Navy, his specialisation is Communications. He served on various class of ships ranging from Missile Corvettes upto the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. He retired from Indian Navy in 1999.

Joined Arya Offshore in 1999. Initially, he served in the Operations department of Arya Offshore handling major construction projects executed by clients like Hyundai Heavy Industries, J Ray McDermott, NPCC (Abu Dhabi), L & T (India) etc.

In addition to measuring up to the demanding marine, agency and support service requirements of the industry, Arya Offshore Services has operated multiple user shore cum supply bases in the west coast ports of Mumbai & Bhavnagar and in the east coast ports of Krishnapatnam, Paradip & Visakhapatnam and was instrumental in managing the Marine Shore Bases for British Gas in Mumbai, OAO Gazprom & Allseas Marine Contractors at Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India. He was the Key Account Manager for a number of seismic companies like Western Geco (Schlumberger group), CGG Veritas, PGS etc. and drilling companies like Deep Water Drilling, ENSCO, Reliance Industries, etc.

He moved up the ladder and took over as Head Business Development in 2006 and subsequently stepped in as CEO of Arya Offshore in 2012.

As CEO of Arya Offshore Services, he has been closely associated in steering the company from a shipping agency to a full-fledged logistics solution provider with a customized range of service-offerings to the offshore and onshore Oil & Gas sector in India.

Sr Vice President,
Marine Services, ADNOC Logistics & Services

Vivek Seth is Senior Vice President, Marine Services at ADNOC Logistics and Services (L&S) since 2019, where it is creating unique, integrated solutions for its key customers. Vivek has over 30 years of global industry experience in shipping, marine logistics in upstream & midstream oil and gas. Prior to joining ADNOC L&S, Vivek was the CEO, Halul Offshore Services Company (part of Milaha, Qatar)for nearly 5 years, responsible for a fleet of over 50 varied offshore vessels and transformed the organization, diversified its asset portfolio and expanded in to new markets. From 2009-2014, Vivek held position of Managing Director, SMIT Lamnalco, M.E and India Subcontinent, for 5 years responsible for business in 11 countries with 800+ employees. He successfully turned around a loss making region and doubled revenue. From 2006-2009, he was head of commercial at Svitzer (A.P. Moller Maersk) for Middle East and India. After his MBA, Vivek worked globally at Tidewater., Inc (USA) for 5 years in various commercial and management roles. After sailing for 8 years and becoming a Chief Engineer, he came ashore as technical superintendent in a ship management company, Hong Kong for over 2 years and leaving to pursue a MBA from UK/.
In 2015 and 2018, he was recognized by Offshore Support Journal as 50 most influential leaders in the Global Marine Offshore Industry.

Chief Executive Officer,
Abu Dhabi Ports

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi is the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Ports, the operator and the manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as Fujairah Terminals and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

In his role, he oversees the development of Abu Dhabi Ports’ portfolio of assets and activities as well as direct their strategy and operations. Under his leadership, the transition from a project-focused organisation to a fully operational, customer focused ports and industrial zones business (KIZAD) has been a remarkable success.

A strong, determined and entrepreneurial leader, he leads Abu Dhabi Ports’ role in supporting the government’s objective of diversifying the non-oil and gas economy.

Al Shamisi is an experienced maritime executive with almost 20 years of industry experience, working to ensure Abu Dhabi Ports continues to hold a prime position in the region’s commercial maritime whilst boosting the profile of Abu Dhabi globally.

Chairman,
Tomini Group

Imtiaz Shaikh is the founder and driving force behind the success of the Dubai-based Tomini Group. With over four decades of experience in the shipping industry, Imtiaz has built up strong and well-established relationships with leading charterers and traders. Under his leadership Tomini is also now entering a new era with the delivery of a number of newbuild bulk carriers. With a passion for classic cars, Imtiaz has built up a private collection of around 100 unique vehicles and has diversified the business into the classic car market. Born in Pakistan, Imtiaz has lived in the United Kingdom and Dubai, and has three children. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post Graduate qualification in shipping from the London School of Trade.

Mayor of Sparta; President of Capital Partners and former Deputy Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Greece

Petros Doukas has a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University. He studied Economics and International Relations at George Washington University (Bachelor of Arts), Management and Fiscal Relations at Columbia (MBA) and Economics at New York University (MA and Ph.D. in Economics). From 1979 to 1985 he worked as an Economist and Currency Analyst for Citibank in New York, and also as Foreign Exchange Exposure Management Advisor, Foreign Exchange Dealer, and Money Market Dealer. In 1986 he took over as Citibank Investment Banking Country Head and Country Treasurer for Greece, and in 1990 also took over as Country Head for the Institutional and Corporate Banking sectors. From August 1992 to October 1993 he was Deputy Minister of Finance in the government of Konstantinos Mitsotakis, with the Public Debt and Public Assets among his responsibilities. In 1994 he returned to Citibank, and in 1996 he founded Capital Partners SA., which deals mainly in strategic partnerships and company takeovers and mergers. In March 2004 he was elected deputy for the Precinct of Attica and was appointed Deputy Minister for the Economy and Finance, Head of the General Accounting Office. His responsibilities included the formulation and implementation of the Budget, Central Government Debt & Operations, Government Security Auctions, Public Trusts, Loans and Bonds, the Public Corporation for Moveable Assets, Subsidy Programs and Management of Public Funds, the State Bursar’s and Payments Office (State Treasury), Fiscal Relations with the EU, Fiscal Validation of the Ministries, Prefectural Governments and Legal Entities under Public Statute and Civil Servants Pension Funds. In September 2007 he was re-elected MP for Attica and appointed Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy.

Executive Director, Shipping, ICBC FINANCIAL LEASING CO. LTD

Mr. Bill Guo joined in ICBC Leasing in 2013. He is now Executive Director of Shipping Business Unit, mainly responsible for the leasing business of the global market and Dry Bulk sector business. Before working for ICBCL, he had been working for Maersk Group for over 10 years as the management positions in different countries, with the solid knowledge in shipping business and financial leasing.

CEO, Green Dome Investments; former Group CEO, DP World; former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for Economic and Trade Affairs, UAE

Dr. Mohammed Sharaf serves as Board member of Sharaf Group, Dar Altakaful Insurance and Mawarid Finance.

He has served as an Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from July 2016 to February 2019.

As an Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, contributed as Chair of Appointment and Relocation of Emirati Diplomats globally and within the Mofaic (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation). As chair of the foreign direct Investment Committee, have contributed to attract over $ 3.8b in direct foreign Investment in 2018.

Dr. Sharaf has led the Innovation Team and chaired the FDI Committee and the Human Capital Committee at the Ministry, all key drivers of the implementation of MOFAIC’s strategic objectives.

Before joining the Foreign Ministry, Dr. Sharaf held the position of Group Chief Executive Officer at DP World since the global port’s operator was first established in 2005. He played a key role in the development of DP World’s Global Strategy including its home base Jebel Ali and Port Rashid. The Strategy included its Global Trade Enabler role in the Industry driven by its core and innovative IT platform. He has successfully served for 22 years in DP World.

Highly accomplished, resourceful, and innovative in trading and shipping and logistics leader. Customer-focused and expert in managing global shipping, transportation and container terminals across the globe.

Dr. Sharaf holds a Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona, USA.

Chairman,
S One Capital

Sanjay K. Mehta has over 25 years’ experience in proprietary fund management, investment banking and mergers and acquisition. Sanjay has wealth of experience in the industries of maritime transportation, port infrastructure, mobile telephony, oil & gas and power generation industries in which he has lead financing and M&A transaction in excess of USD 12 billion.

Sanjay since 2014 is chairman of his family trust fund, S ONE Trust and is CEO of S ONE Capital, asset manager of the trust fund based out of Geneva and London, prior to that Sanjay held the position of Managing Director, Essar Capital Limited asset manager for Essar Global Fund a USD 34 billion proprietary fund of the Ruia family. In 2006 Sanjay was instrumental in setting up of Essar Global Fund and its investment manager Essar Capital Limited. At Essar Global Fund he lead and executed on a wide range of high profile M&A, financing, capital market transactions including one of the largest IPO on London Stock Exchange.

Prior to joining Essar, Sanjay worked for Hambros Bank, London, Goldman Sachs / J Aron & Co, New York and American Marine Advisors Inc. New York. Mr. Mehta is independent director and member of risk committee on the board of Steamship Mutual Limited, London. He is also independent board member of American Bureau of Shipping.

Sanjay has MBA from London Business School, London He graduated with Honours Degree from London School of Economics, London. He resides in Geneva and England.

CEO,
Tomini Shipping

Nitin Mehta is a passionate business leader and CEO of Tomini Group having previously served as CFO. He joined in 2013, and during this period he has led the Group through significant revenue and geographic growth.

Extensive experience in diverse markets with a profound knowledge of finance and proven advisory skills allow Nitin to provide solutions by getting all stakeholders together to achieve common objectives.

Leading the Group’s core business interests in shipping and diversifications into other industries including classic cars, Nitin also oversees Tomini’s fleet under construction and manages over USD 300 million of assets.

Nitin believes in keeping things simple and attributes his success to mutually respectful relationships, which he has built over his extensive career. He is driven to uphold the highest level of ethics, credibility and transparency through a diverse and holistic range of competencies he has gained over the last 23 years across multiple geographies.

Prior to joining he held several executive positions for a number of banks including Standard Chartered Citibank and Mashreq bank. Nitin holds an MBA.

Head of the Digital Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports and CEO of Maqta Gateway LLC

Dr Noura Al Dhaheri is the Head of Abu Dhabi Ports Digital Cluster and CEO of Maqta Gateway, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, Maqta Gateway offers the first purpose-built and most innovative Port Community System (PCS) in the UAE. Designed in line with international standards, Maqta Gateway acts as a single window provider facilitating information flow between all port stakeholders and users.

Dr Al Dhaheri has assumed leadership of Maqta Gateway from its inception in 2014. Since then, she has activated the development of the PCS system and is now spearheading its market expansion.

Dr Al Dhaheri has helped usher in a seamless transition into a totally digitalised way of conducting trade, creating a bridge between data and the port’s business operations, while aligning with the Abu Dhabi 2030 economic vision of optimising port processes.

Her innovative vision, coupled with remarkable technical and managerial skills, has been instrumental to achieving successful implementation of the most advanced and high standard port community system. Maqta Gateway will be providing efficient and modern port community solutions across the UAE which will support a sustainable and growing trade business in the Emirates.

COO,
Marcura Group

Hans-Christian is COO of The Marcura Group and Managing Director of DA-Desk, the flagship of Marcura (2001) and the world’s largest independent provider of port cost management services. As Group COO, Hans-Christian’s primary focus is high quality service delivery and strategic direction for Marcura’s established businesses in the payments, procurement and voyage administration sectors. As Managing Director of DA-Desk, he also manages relations with existing and new DA-Desk customers, agents and partners to ensure they derive the maximum value from the services of DA-Desk. He has held a number of positions previously including Chief Commercial Officer for Team Lines, a leading European short sea shipping company; Managing Director for Maersk Line in Russia, Finland and Baltic states; and European Sales & marketing Director for P&O Nedlloyd.

Regional Head of Maritime Advisory, Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Autonomy CoE DNV GL Maritime Region SEAPI

Dr. Shahrin Osman joined DNV GL Maritime Advisory Singapore unit in 2008 after more than 15 years working in Maersk and P&O Nedlloyd with regional line management responsibility covering procurement, operations, IT implementation and change management for Asia-Pacific countries. His interest in Industry Cluster analysis and international benchmarking, Strategy, Maritime Sustainability and Digitalisation have guided his work at DNV GL to serving internal and external clients within the maritime industry in Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America. He spends 8 years residing in Middle East from 2010 to 2018 before returning to Singapore to take up his current role.

Dr Shahrin has been a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences focussing on the topic of Maritime Cluster, Digitalisation and Sustainability in the maritime sector. He is the co-author for the 3rd and 4th edition of the influential “Leading Maritime Capitals of the World” 2017 and 2019 reports which benchmarks the world’s top maritime hub cities using nearly 50 objective and subjective indicators. In his current role, he is responsible for the maritime consulting business, R&D and innovation within the areas on decarbonisation in Shipping, as well as digitalisation initiatives for maritime eco-system in Singapore. He is also taking advisor role for digital start-ups and scale-ups. Dr Shahrin is concurrently the Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Autonomy Centre of Excellence.

He has a Doctorate degree in Industry Cluster Strategy and Innovation Ecosystem, and MSc in Maritime Studies from NTU Singapore. Dr Shahrin has also attended the Executive programs at IMD on “Leading Digital Business Transformation” and “Future Technologies” at UC Berkeley.

Chairman,
Safesea Group

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a Trail.”

Mr. S.V. Anchan is the Chairman of Safesea Group of Companies. He comes from an Indian family that has successfully strengthened its position in the field of shipping for three generations. For over 24 years he has been extensively involved in sale and purchase of vessels, chartering, ship management, finance, oil and bulk cargo, container cargo, port agency, arbitration, port management, liner services, NVOCC, contract of affreightment, VSA, marine insurance (P & I and H & M), feeder and coastal services.

He is a recognized leader in the global shipping industry and is a true entrepreneur and passionate shipping professional. Mr. Anchan is the brainchild behind the Safesea Group’s meteoric success and truly highlights its legacy i.e. “Shipping is our Religion”, matured over three generations in global shipping. Safesea Group was born in 2006 and under Mr. Anchan’s leadership the Group has enjoyed double digit growth and has expanded from USA to Canada, Europe, Iraq , UAE , India, Bangladesh & Singapore along with network offices in over 100 countries.

Director, Fleet Management
BAHRI

A 28-year veteran of Saudi Aramco, Vela International Marine Ltd, and Bahri. Alhammad worked as an Operations Engineer for Saudi Aramco’s Terminal Department from 1997 till 2002. He left Aramco and joined Vela as Site Inspector, then Site Manager for Vela’s Shipbuilding Department working on the building of 4 MR Tankers and 10 VLCC’s in South Korea between 2004 and 2010. In 2011 moved back to Vela’s office in Dubai as Technical Manager then Fleet Manager until the merger with Bahri in 2014. At Bahri, Alhammad moved up the ranks to the current position of Director, Fleet Management overseeing a fleet of 87 vessels including 41 VLCC’s.

Alhammad holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical & electronics engineering from Oregon State University.

CEO,
Oman Shipping Company & Oman Dry Dock Company

Said Al Maawali is the CEO of Oman Shipping Company (offering world-class, reliable and efficient shipping solutions) and Oman Dry Dock Company (a major yard in the world and an integral part of the Omani government diversification program).

Prior to that Said led the Oman Tank Terminal Company the first large scale crude oil commercial terminal in Oman. Said has also worked is PDO, OXY, Sohar Aluminum and Oman Oil.

Said has also served in several boards as a director including Sohar Aluminum, Vale Oman, Oman India Fertilizer Company, Oman Aluminum Rolling Company Sohar Industrial Port. Said has extensive experience in the Oil and Gas, Metals, Manufacturing, and investment industries

Said has received an Engineering Degree from the Imperial College.

DG of The Federal Transport Authority Land and Maritime (FTA)

With his Engineering back ground and diversified experiences due to long serving in different government positions and active participation in areas such as urban planning, city management, development programming, development control, municipal services, municipal codes and regulations and project management. Some of his outstanding achievements are establishing an advanced digital mapping and GIS in Al Ain, Al Ain Master Planning 2000 and 2015, Al Ain Computerized Data Management System, as well as Abu Dhabi International Building Codes, and Abu Dhabi Real Estate Regulations.

To mention some of the key positions, he worked as DG of Al Ain Town Planning, Undersecretary of Al AIn Municipality, Undersecretary of AbuDhabi Department of Municipal Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi General Service Company (Musanada).

Editor,
The Maritime Standard

A well-respected freelance journalist Clive Woodbridge has been writing about shipping, ports and logistics related issues since 1982.

For more than 30 years he has contributed to some of the leading publications in the industry, including Lloyds List, Seatrade, Cargo Systems, Container Management and Containerisation International, and has particular expertise in the shipping and maritime sectors in the Middle East.

Managing Director,

Dhruv Kotak is the Managing Director of the J M BAXI GROUP of companies – a diversified business group involved in shipping & logistics. The Group has 104 years of Maritime experience and has, over the years, grown to be a truly global player with its customers spread across 55 countries, and offices in over 63 cities across India and the world.

Dhruv is a fourth-generation entrepreneur, he joined the business when he was 15, and has worked his way up. A quick learner with an astute business sense, Dhruv has been pivotal in ensuring that the J M BAXI GROUP stays ahead of its peers and is an innovator in the Maritime and logistics market. He has been instrumental in making J M BAXI GROUP a truly global organisation as also an acknowledged “Thought- Leader” in the Indian Maritime domain.

Vice Chairman,
Emirates Maritime Arbitration Center

Executive Partner at law firm Hadef & Partners, Richard Briggs is a recognised leader in commercial dispute resolution in the UAE and has practised contentious business law in the UAE for most of his career. His areas of specialisation are in the litigation and arbitration fields, particularly with reference to maritime, trade and insurance law in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East area.

Prior to working at Hadef, Mr Briggs trained with Clifford Chance in London and Dubai, later joining another UAE law firm as a partner. He graduated from the University of Warwick (LLB) and the College of Law, Guildford (United Kingdom). He is a member of the Law Society and a Practicing Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He is also a member of the International Bar Association and World Jurist Association. Richard is the ICC FraudNet member for the UAE, Middle East Regional Coordinator for the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and former Vice Chair of the IBA Maritime Committee.

Secretary General & CEO
BIMCO

Angus Frew has served as Secretary General & CEO of BIMCO since 2013. BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association established in 1905 with 1,900 members in over 120 countries.

Angus was a non-executive director of Global Ship Lease Inc, a containership owning company publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. He was appointed in 2008 and resigned in 2018 on the completion of its merger with Poseidon Containers.

Angus served as the CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping from 2009 to 2013. The UK Chamber was established in 1878 and is the trade association for the UK shipping industry working with Government and international organisations to champion and protect the industry on behalf of its members. He designed and delivered a strategy that stabilised the finances and rejuvenated the association.

Angus served from 2003 to 2008 as President & CEO of GE SeaCo, a joint venture between General Electric and Sea Containers Ltd, and a leading international lessor of marine containers to shipping lines. Angus was the chairman of the Institute of International Container Lessors in 2004.

Prior to joining GE SeaCo in 2002, Angus held senior management positions in the international wine and spirits industry including six years in Tokyo, Japan and two years in Prague, Czech Republic.

Angus is a chemistry graduate of the University of Durham and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1983.

MD & CEO,
Essar Ports Ltd.

Mr. Rajiv Agarwal is the CEO and Managing Director of Essar Ports Ltd, which is one of the largest private sector port companies in India by capacity and throughput. Mr. Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience and has held various leadership positions in industries like Ports, Shipping, Telecom, Retail and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO).

He became MD and CEO of Essar Shipping, Ports & Logistics Limited in 2010 and under him the Ports Business of Essar has grown manifold increasing Port Capacity in India alone from 46 MMTPA in FY10 to 100 MMTPA as on date with plans to increase to 110 MMTPA in 2019. Essar Ports has India’s trophy infrastructure asset providing all the characteristics of a large, long-term, stable and dominant infrastructure business. Diversifying customer profile is key centric to expansion strategy of Essar Ports with enhanced volumes of third party cargo. Under his leadership the third party cargo share is expected to increase from negligible to more than ~35% in short term. Company has expanded across strategic locations on both east & west coast of India contributing to the growth of the sector through state of the art mechanized facilities. Recently under his astute leadership the company also saw successful divestment of the Vadinar Oil Terminal (58 MMTPA capacity).

Area Manager, Middle East & Africa
DNV GL Maritime

Ian Edwards is a naval architect with an international career in the maritime and offshore industry spanning more than 20 years.

Ian holds a Master of Engineering in Ship Science from the University of Southampton and spent the first 10 years of his career working for ship owners in Norway and the Middle East, covering both operations and newbuildings.

He joined DNV GL in Norway in 2006 where he worked within plan approval for ship and offshore structures. Prior to moving to Dubai to take on his current role, Ian spent 7 years in South Korea leading DNV GL’s plan approval unit.

CEO
ADNOC Logistics & Services

Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masabi has been leading ADNOC Logistics & Services since 2018, where he has been spearheading its transformation and growth. The company was formed in 2017, from the consolidation of three ADNOC subsidiaries.

Capt. Abdulkareem has extensive experience in leadership roles within the maritime industry. Previously he held the position of Executive Vice President, Ports Unit at Abu Dhabi Ports, with responsibility for the day-to-day operational activities across all of Abu Dhabi Ports’ facilities. And prior to this he was Vice President at Khalifa Port, with the port being named Port of the Year in 2014 and 2015 during his tenure, which first began with Abu Dhabi Ports in 2009, when he joined as Senior Operations Manager.