DOHA: Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLC) grabbed the spotlight at the annual Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent awards after walking away with a hat-trick of awards.
RLC claimed the first of three honours by winning the "Environment Protection award."
This award was a first for RLC and it was presented by Joseph Brincat, Vice President of ABS- Middle East to RLC Director Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani and Dr Mohammad Albeldawi, RLC Head of Environment.
The Seatrade awards recognise the achievements in maritime safety and the environment, ship and port operations and efficiency, security and financing.
The winners were honoured at a gala dinner attended by around 600 senior executives of the region's maritime and related industries at Al Johara Ballroom in Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
The evening's guest of honour was Dr Nasser Al Mansoori, Director General of National Transport Authority from the UAE.
"These prestigious awards celebrate and reward excellence and innovation in the maritime sector across the region and are much anticipated throughout the industry," said Christopher Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, the award organisers.
More than 60 companies and organisations were short-listed for the awards.
In addition, three individuals were singled out for special honours for their significant and lasting contributions to the shipping and maritime industry throughout the region.
It was a tough competition between DP World (UAE), Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited and QP-RLC who were shortlisted for "The Port Authority Award".
RLC who was the winner in the 2007 edition of the awards, won the coveted honour again this year.
The award, sponsored by Hind terminals & Samsara Group, was presented by Salah Sharaf, Director of Sharaf Group to Sheikh Khalid and Captain Feisal Saad, RLC Port Manager.
'The Energy: Oil & Gas award' was presented to RLC for the second consecutive year and was presented by Yaquob Abdullah, Director of Marketing and Promotions at Sharjah Port Authority to Sheikh Khalid and Abdul Qader Qaddumi, Manager of Industrial Planning and Development.
Speaking on the achievement, Sheikh Khalid said, "This is a dream run for us and it is a significant moment for all of us at QP and RLC. We are thankful to H E Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry for his directives and support and to each and every employee of Ras Laffan, who were the crucial factors for this resounding success and the series of accolades received tonight."
© The Peninsula 2009
