Abu Dhabi, UAE – 28 November 2025 — The 2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards have set a new benchmark for excellence in the MENAT marina industry, spotlighting innovation, sustainability, safety, and outstanding leadership across the region’s rapidly evolving maritime landscape. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the ceremony took place on 20 November during the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show.
Now in its third edition, the Awards continue to grow in influence and industry relevance, drawing participation from marinas, professionals, and project teams spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye. This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of artificial intelligence as a supportive tool in the submissions and assessment process—reflecting Abu Dhabi’s push towards integrating advanced technologies in maritime governance and industry oversight.
AI Integration Elevates Award Standards
For the first time, an AI agent was deployed within the secure submissions platform to streamline data organisation and provide assessors with clarity on potential strengths or weaknesses in each entry. While final decisions remained human-led, the AI-supported approach enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and transparency, creating a foundation for deeper AI integration in future editions.
Submissions were first evaluated by 13 expert assessors from 12 countries across five continents, bringing diverse expertise in customer experience, sustainability, marketing, business excellence, and maritime operations. Their detailed analyses were then reviewed by a high-profile jury composed of leaders with decades of maritime and quality assurance experience, ensuring a rigorous and independent evaluation process.
Honouring Excellence Across 22 Award Categories
The 2025 Awards recognised 22 winners across organisation-wide, individual, and project-based categories—reflecting the sector’s broad talent pool and the growing sophistication of regional marinas.
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
Most Popular Marina (Public Vote): The Pearl Island Marina – Qatar
Leadership Remarks Highlight Industry Progress
Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, underscored the Awards’ role in advancing maritime excellence across the region.
He noted that recognising achievement not only celebrates progress but also “fosters a culture of continuous improvement,” strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional and global maritime hub.
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, highlighted the Awards as a “catalyst for progress,” crediting the surge of innovation and sustainability initiatives to the dedication of maritime professionals and organisations across the MENAT region.
A Model Built on Global Best Practice
The Awards programme draws upon leading international benchmarks, emphasising transparency, multi-level evaluation, and professional diversity. This year’s assessor pool brought global perspectives, while the jury’s senior industry experience ensured credibility and future-oriented decision-making.
The integration of AI-supported assessment also signals a major step forward for the maritime awards ecosystem—mirroring Abu Dhabi’s wider digital transformation in port management, maritime safety, and coastal development.
Looking Ahead: Fourth Edition in Fall 2026
Abu Dhabi Maritime, in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre under AD Ports Group, will host the fourth edition in fall 2026. As the emirate continues to strengthen its maritime infrastructure, enhance regulatory frameworks, and promote sustainability, the Awards are expected to play a growing role in shaping regional marina standards and global competitiveness.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards stand as a testament to the UAE’s commitment to health, safety, innovation, and environmental stewardship—cementing Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the world’s premier maritime hubs.
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