The Maritime Standard (TMS) is honoured to announce that the inaugural TMS Awards, which will take place in Dubai this November, has secured the patronage of one of the UAE’s great business leaders, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

The past 25 years His Highness has been at the forefront of Dubai’s economic development, spearheading the successful expansion of the aviation sector and, more recently, formulating economic, investment and fiscal policies and strategies in support of the emirate’s long term vision. He also chairs the important Executive Authority for Expo 2020.

Securing the patronage of such an illustrious figure is a boost not just for the Awards, but the region’s maritime and offshore industry generally. As HE Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman of Drydocks World and the Dubai Council for Marine & Maritime Industries (DCMMI), comments: “We believe that now is the right time to build up the maritime and offshore cluster in the region, with the GCC countries representing high growth in the construction and manufacturing for the oil industry at an international level and 40% of the world’s tonnage for example. Achieving this cluster requires strong leadership and we are grateful and extremely honoured with the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and his strong support for the maritime and offshore industry.”

DCMMI is supporting the TMS Awards and HE Khamis Buamim believes receiving this patronage is critical to their success. He says, “It will certainly have a positive impact, and shows that the maritime and offshore industry is regarded as a major economic player. Associating his leadership with this event will ensure it gets the recognition it deserves and help build up momentum.”

He continues, “The maritime and offshore industry requires such initiatives to create the added value that will enhance and propel it forward, bringing investment, new jobs for nationals and new ventures not only in the UAE, but the region at large. The industry will benefit from such leadership as His Royal Highness provides, and the efforts of the DCMMI to take it forward to where it needs to be.”

For TMS getting the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is a very welcome endorsement of its strategy and a sign of confidence in the Awards at the highest level. Managing director Trevor Pereira says,” This is a fantastic first for the region and for the industry as a whole. I am enormously grateful to His Highness for his Royal Patronage and his acceptance of an invitation to grace the awards dinner. This is an acknowledgement that our industry is important and will give a massive confidence boost to everyone who works within it.”

Mr Pereira also pays tribute to the tireless work behind the scenes of HE Khamis Buamim as chairman of DCMMI. “I can only say how grateful we all are to His Excellency for making this possible. His leadership of DCMMI is truly inspirational.”