2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards Set New Standards for Marina Excellence Under the Patronage of Hamdan bin Zayed

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the winners of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards were announced during a ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show on 20 November. The event took place in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and was organised in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport. Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, hosted the awards.

Marking its third edition, the Awards celebrated excellence in marina operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, while raising new benchmarks for performance and innovation in the maritime sector. This year's edition expanded its categories to recognise achievements at the organisational, individual, and project levels.

A total of 22 winners were honoured across multiple categories:

Organisation-Based Awards

• Outstanding Marina Award

  • Gold: Dubai Harbour – UAE

  • Silver: D-Marin Didim – Türkiye

  Outstanding Emerging Marina Award

  • Gold: D-Marin Marsa Al Arab – UAE

  • Silver: Emirates Palace Marina – UAE

  Customer Experience Award

  • Gold: D-Marin Didim – Türkiye

  • Silver: D-Marin Göcek – Türkiye

  Employer Excellence Award

  • Gold: Palm Jumeirah Marina – UAE

  • Silver: Bulgari Marina – UAE

  Health & Safety Award

  • Gold: Emirates Palace Marina – UAE

  • Silver: D-Marin Turgutreis – Türkiye

  Innovation Award

  • Gold: D-Marin Göcek – Türkiye

  • Silver: Palm Jumeirah Marina – UAE

  Sustainability Award

  • Gold: D-Marin Turgutreis – Türkiye

  • Silver: The Pearl Island Marina – Qatar

  Individual-Based Awards

  • Outstanding Leader Award

    • Gold: Wayne Shepherd – Dubai Harbour

    • Silver: Adel Maani – Ayla Marina

    Outstanding Service Hero Award

    • Gold: Sara Abdelaziz – Aldar Marinas

    • Silver: Charles Mayanja – Emirates Palace Marina

    Rising Star Award

    • Gold: Hassan Ahmad – Jeddah Yacht Club

    • Silver: Sherzodbek Ganiev – Palm Jumeirah Marina

    Project-Based Awards

    • Sustainability Project Award: Dubai Islands Marina

    • Innovation Project Award: Dubai Harbour

    The Most Popular Marina Award, selected through a public vote, was presented to The Pearl Island Marina – Qatar.

    Advancing the Maritime Sector with AI Integration

    For the first time, the 2025 edition introduced artificial intelligence as a supportive tool in submissions and assessment. The AI agent streamlined data organisation and identified key strengths and gaps within submissions, helping assessors conduct more comprehensive evaluations. While AI supported the process, final decisions remained entirely human-led, with assessors and jury members conducting independent analyses before selecting each winner.

    Dr. Abdulla Hamad Al Ghfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, highlighted the Awards’ role in supporting maritime innovation and regional collaboration. He stated:
    “By recognising outstanding contributions from across the MENAT region, we not only celebrate achievements but also foster a culture of continuous improvement. These awards play a vital role in elevating service quality, promoting sustainability, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s leadership as a regional and global maritime hub.”

    Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, added that the Awards continue to act as a catalyst for industry progress.
    “Each year, we witness remarkable advancements in innovation, safety, and sustainability, driven by passionate individuals and organisations. These awards underscore our commitment to setting world-class standards and positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the international maritime landscape.”

    This year’s assessor panel represented 13 experts from 12 countries, bringing diverse perspectives in areas such as customer experience, sustainable development, quality management, and business excellence. The distinguished jury further ensured a rigorous and independent review process.

    The fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards is scheduled for fall 2026.

    Through its partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Maritime continues to safeguard Abu Dhabi’s waterways and support the emirate’s ambitions to become a premier global maritime hub.