The IMO Secretary-General Emeritus, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, has confirmed he is to join the prestigious line-up of international judges for the 14th chapter of the Seatrade Maritime Awards Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa 2016.

The IMO has long been involved with the Seatrade Awards, both in London and Dubai. The inclusion of Mitropoulos further cements the importance of this awards programme for the maritime and shipping industry and the integrity of the judging procedure throughout the process.

The judging panel for 2016 will be chaired by Joe Brincat, Vice President, Middle East Region, ABS, who is also a veteran to the industry and well respected amongst his peers and colleagues.

Brincat said: “This year’s judging panel is a testament to the importance of these awards. Amongst them are some of the key leaders in the industry who are dedicating considerable time and effort to ensure the rigorous judging process is adhered to with an end result of rewarding winners with the highest acknowledgement possible in the region.”

The judging panel is confirmed with Industry Judges: H.E. Dr Nabeel bin Mohammed Al-Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority ; Capt. Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO, Qatar Ports Management ; Eng. Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, Managing Director, Nakilat; Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman, ASRY; Rene Kofod-Olsen, CEO, Topaz Energy and Marine; Gary Lemke, Executive Vice President, Abu Dhabi Ports ; Vivek Seth, CEO, Halul Offshore Services Company. Technical & Operational Judges: Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus, IMO; Ashik Subahani, Chairman, RINA UAE Branch & Managing Director, Great Waters Maritime LLC and Katharina Stanzel, Managing Director, Intertanko.

The Seatrade Maritime Awards, held as part of the Dubai Maritime Week which is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, are considered the Region’s Premier Maritime Awards, and this year will be held at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE on 31 October. Record numbers of guests are expected as the evening also falls on the first night of Seatrade Maritime Middle East exhibition and conference and as part of Dubai Maritime Week.

Entries for the awards are also now open and companies are requested to submit their entries by 21 July. Full details are available on www.seatrade-middleeastawards.com.