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.

CEO Maritime Cluster & Safeen Group
AD Ports Group

Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba is the Acting CEO of the Maritime Cluster and SAFEEN Group, part of AD Ports Group. In his role, he leads the development of marine services, shipping operations and assets, including eleven (11) operational units comprising more than 135 vessels and marine units. 

Joining the organisation back in 2013 in Harbour Master Division, Capt. Al Shaiba was promoted to Khalifa Port Harbour Master at AD Ports Group's flagship deepwater port as well as at Zayed Port, in addition to carrying out development and executive projects for Marine and Port operations in Khalifa Port, as part of the Group's strategic expansion plan. 

From 2017 to 2019, he held the position of Chief Harbour Master to oversee the development and implementation of regulations governing the safe navigation of vessels and managing fleet traffic within port waters and enforcing local, federal, and international best practices within commercial ports. 

During his tenure with AD Ports Group, Capt. Al Shaiba has served as the CEO of Ports Operating Company and Managing Director of Zayed Port, the Free Port, as well as Musaffah Port, where he managed port optimisations and automation within operations while extending strategic growth within the Group's operations. He also oversaw SAFEEN Feeders, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group that serves mainliner shipping clients and supports trade through increased connectivity and optimised shipping costs within and beyond the region. 

He holds a Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA) and an Advanced Diploma in Nautical Science from the University of Tasmania in Australia. Capt. Al Shaiba also holds a Chief Mate/Master Certificate from the Australian Maritime College (AMC) issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He is a member of the International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA), the International Association of Ports & Harbours (IAPH) and several other respected committees within the Maritime industry.

CEO and Managing Director, UAE Region and Jafza
DP World

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.

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.

Before joining Abu Dhabi Ports, he was Marine Operations Manager with the National Gas Shipping Company, an ADNOC Group company, having joined from Gulf Energy Maritime, where he was a Senior Marine Superintendent. For the eight years prior, he rose through the ranks from Third Officer to Master/Chief Officer with NGSCO, on-board the company’s LNG/oil tankers.

Other professional accomplishments include being recognized as ‘Outstanding VP/ EVP’ at the Abu Dhabi Awards of Excellence in 2017, and as the winner of the ‘Maritime Standard Excellence Award’ in 2018.

He graduated from South Tyneside College, UK as a Master Mariner and also holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management.

CEO
ASYAD Shipping and Drydock Services

Dr. Ibrahim Al Nadhairi has undergone extensive executive training at INSEAD and is a UK qualified chief engineer with MBA and Ph.D. in Shipping and Logistics. Over 20 years of experience in leadership, business development, performance improvement, and change management.

Assigned as CEO of Oman Shipping Company and Oman Drydock Company working with the new management in alignment with the ASYAD Group’s strategy to offer integrated and highly efficient shipping services in a comprehensive marine offering that meetsthe Group’s aspirations of providing global markets with end-to-end logistics solutions.

Chief Executive Officer
Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd.

Damir Glavan holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine since December 2020. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Drydocks World Dubai. With a career spanning over 30 years in the shipping industry, Damir sailed onboard as a Chief Engineer for almost a decade before transitioning to shore-based positions. He has held various fleet management positions in Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) and SeaChange Maritime (Singapore) in the past. Damir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Science from the University of Split (Croatia) and is also a certified Class 1 Marine Engineer.

President
Bahri Ship Management

32-year experience with Saudi Aramco, Vela International Marine Ltd,  and Bahri.  

Khalid Alhammad joined Saudi Aramco in 1990 as an Instrument  Repairman and was sponsored by the company in 1992 to complete his  Electrical & Electronics engineering degree from Oregon State  University. In 1997 he became an Operations Engineer at Ras Tanura  Terminal Department working in the Onshore and Offshore facilities. In  2002 Khalid left Aramco and joined Vela sailing on its fleet for two years  gaining experience and knowledge in ship’s operations.  

In 2004 Khalid moved to South Korea and worked on Vela’s newbuilding  projects as an Inspector, progressing to Site Manager covering the  newbuilding of four Product Tankers and ten VLCC’s. 

Khalid returned to Vela’s head office in 2011 as Technical Manager for  dry-docking and projects. In 2014, he became Vela’s Fleet Manager and  moved over to the same position after the merger with Bahri. He  progressed through the ranks to become Fleet Director, subsequently to  VP Fleet Management, and now President of Bahri Ship  

Management. 

Global Director of Special Projects and Services
DNV

Ali Shehab is the DNV Global Director of Special Projects and Services where his role to streamline the regional and global ongoing projects and services, as well as development of market share and strengthen the position of DNV in the Maritime and Oil & Gas Industries. Before assuming this position in July 2021, he was 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 almost 36 years in various positions of the Company, including 7+ years as Deputy Chief Executive Officer Fleet Operations where he oversaw KOTC’s Oil Tanker Fleet Operations, Marine Agency, and the main Gas Filling Branches that supply domestic and industrial LPG to the whole of State of Kuwait.

He is a marine engineer professional educated in the South Tyneside College north of England in the United Kingdom, trained and worked on KOTC vessels as a seagoing Marine Chief Engineer from 1985 to 2001, after which he operated fleet vessels in the capacity of Technical Superintendent and further developed in his carrier to General Superintendent and later assumed various managerial positions for Fleet New-building Group, as well as, Fleet Personal Group of the Fleet Operations Directorate, including 3 years as Site Manager at Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Korea in 2005 to 2007, overseeing the construction of the fleet new tankers. His mid-level management development was from 2005 to 2013 during which he was involved and managing the company crucial tanker fleet development for 26
tankers of different types and sizes, built to the latest industry requirements, digitally ready and designed eco-friendly.

In July 2013 he was placed in the higher management position in the capacity of Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Fleet Operations and then in addition to this role, he assumed the position of Acting Chief Operating Officer in June 2018 till he reached by his retirement time with KOTC in Feb 2021 completing almost 36 years of service. During his senior position role with KOTC, he focused on the development of KOTC position in the Maritime and Oil & Gas Industries, and primarily for KOTC to continue being a leader in the safe transportation of hydrocarbons by sea, in addition, he focused on the development of KOTC employees both on ships and onshore.

He is an active individual who has been involved in various executive roles and positions primarily in the maritime industry, nonetheless, he also actively involved in the oil and gas industry where he assists individuals and organizations to excel in their business and provide them with opportunities of collaboration and growth.

Managing Partner
Stephenson Harwood

Rania is the managing partner of the Dubai office and leads the maritime and international trade team for the Middle East region. She has over 20 years’ experience servicing clients operating in these industries with a special focus on resolving disputes and advising on commercial matters.

Rania has developed a reputation for assisting clients on their most complex disputes and prides herself on her ability to identify key issues and seek an effective resolution for her clients’ matters. She also has significant experience advising clients in relation to their non-contentious matters and frequently advises companies in relation to their commercial contracts and large-scale projects.  

She is also widely regarded as one of the leading lawyers in the Middle East, which is reflected through the various accolades she has received including The Maritime Standard's 'Woman in Shipping Award'. Furthermore, she is recognised as a leading shipping lawyer in many of the legal directories, including Legal 500 EMEA and Chambers & Partners Global where client's describe Rania as ''lightening quick'' and ''exceptional''.

CEO
Tomini Group

Numair, a fourth generation member of the Shaikh family began his maritime career early, spending summer apprenticeships with the Group, gaining exposure to commercial and technical ship management.

In 2016, Numair joined Tomini Shipping as Head of Shipping and spearheaded Tomini’s evolution from a fleet of 7 to a modern and diversified 16 vessel fleet before becoming the CEO of Tomini Group in 2021.

He is now leading the Group’s transformation from a shipping company to a diverse multinational and multicultural business group.

Numair, together with his wife Marium established Tomini’s Corporate Giving Program; reflecting their values that Tomini should be a force of positive action in the community. The Program invests in education supporting its power to address social inequalities and lift generations out of poverty.

Chairman and Managing Director
The Shipping Corporation of India

Capt. Binesh Kumar Tyagi has taken over as Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. with effect from 03.09.2022. Capt. Binesh Kumar Tyagi also hold the charge of Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India Land and Assets Ltd. (SCILAL) w.e.f. 03.09.2022 and was erstwhile heading the Liner and Passenger Services Division as Director (L&PS), since 7 th January 2021.

Capt. Tyagi earlier held additional charge of Director (T&OS) and Director (P&A) at SCI, and continues to hold additional charge of Director (L&PS) since 03.09.2022. He is also appointed as CMD, ICSL w.e.f. 03.09.2022 and presently on Board of North of England Protecting & Indemnity Association Ltd (now NorthStandard Limited) and India LNG Transport (ILT) Company No. 1, 2, 3 & 4. He is also serving as Director on board of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Capt. Tyagi is an IIMA alumni and also a member of various professional bodies like ICS (London), CILT, NMIS, Nautical Institute London, Institute of Directors and a fellow member of CMMI. Capt. Tyagi is also appointed as Chairman and Member of ABS India National Committee, Member of the South Asia Committee of DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register South Asia Advisory Committee and Indian Committee of ClassNK.

In his distinguished Shipping career spanning over 33 years in SCI, he has held many responsible appointments, both Afloat and Ashore. After graduation, Capt Tyagi joined SCI in 1990, as Trainee Nautical Officer (TNOC). He served on board various ships, in different ranks, including as Master. In 2004, he was absorbed ashore, wherein he served at various Management level positions and performed Technical, Vetting, Chartering, Training, Marine
HR, Liner, Passenger, Inland Waterways, offshore and S&P functions.

He is a well-rounded shipping professional with qualification & experience in Ship operation, Navigation, Chartering, General Shipping Management, Port Development & Management and Law.

Capt. Tyagi has also been felicitated by various National and International Institutions in the industry, in which latest addition is the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award bestowed to him at the 18 th edition of ShipTek Awards, Kochi in the month of May, 2023.

Chief Executive Officer
Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Limited

Jonathan is the Club’s Chief Executive Officer. He was previously Head of the Club's Eastern Syndicate and Head of Underwriting for the area. He joined Steamship Mutual in 1988 as a claims executive then transferred to the underwriting department in 1990. He serves on various International Group sub committees and is a Director of Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Limited.

Port Expansion Projects Lead, at Ras Laffan Port
QatarEnergy

Capt. Feisal A. Saad is a seasoned maritime professional with nearly five decades of robust experience at sea and port management. At present, his role is the Port Expansion Projects Lead at Ras Laffan Port, a pivotal role under QatarEnergy.

During Qatar’s ambitious natural gas development phase from 2021-2027 based at Ras Laffan, QatarEnergy has a vision of substantially augmenting its LNG production by 40%, including associated petroleum products, and a world-scale Petro-chemical plant. Parallel to these, the company has strategized an extensive fleet expansion of state-of-the-art LNG tankers, to support the LNG supply chain. Capt. Saad's role, central to these transformative initiatives, involves coordination with a spectrum of stakeholders. His responsibilities include spearheading marine-related projects ranging from construction of additional LNG tanker berths, commissioning of the Laffan Container Terminal, and an iconic 100-metre tall Port Control Tower.

Capt. Saad embarked on his maritime career in 1976 with British & Commonwealth Shipping in the UK. Over the years, he has held various ship roles, on general cargo, bulk carriers and tanker vessels. Acquiring his Master Mariner Certificate in 1987, was a pivotal point in his career, before joining the globally recognized Maersk – A P Moller Company. He gained Command in 1992, on gas and oil tankers, showcasing exemplary operational and leadership.

1997 marked his transition to a land-based role as Maersk Company's Fleet Safety & Quality Manager. Here, Capt. Saad's expertise was crucial in implementing the ISM Code, obtaining ISO Quality Assurance certification, and supervising a new-build program, encompassing diverse vessels including oil & gas tankers, container ships, and Offshore Support vessels.

Capt. Saad joined QatarEnergy in 1999 as Port Operations Coordinator. His expertise led to his appointment as the Mesaieed Port's Harbour Master by 2004, and by 2007, he assumed the role of Manager for Ras Laffan Port. Following the 2012 merger of two of QatarEnergy's industrial ports (Ras Laffan & Mesaieed), Capt. Saad was given a pivotal role of Ports Operation Manager. His responsibilities included overall operations of both ports, encompassing maritime control, on-shore logistics, maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance, compliance, and service improvements.

Capt. Saad is a Member of the Nautical Institute, Member of the Royal Institute of Navigation and Member of the Honorable Company of Master Mariners.