Flemming Dalgaard, CEO of Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator, has been named the Industry CEO of the Year at the CEO Middle East Awards 2017. Currently in its 11th year, the annual award recognises the contributions of the region’s top CEOs in delivering outstanding results, and supporting the vibrancy of business sectors across the region. 

Dalgaard’s strategic managerial vision and overall direction enabled Gulftainer to record a strong performance in 2016, through a two-fold investment strategy of capacity expansion and the acquisition of new ports. Under Dalgaard’s leadership, Gulftainer witnessed the launch of a corporate wellness programme to improve employee engagement and well-being, as well as the implementation of new technologies that enhanced operational excellence. In April 2017, Gulftainer won the ‘Technology Implementation of the Year’ category at the Logistics Middle East Awards, for the successful implementation of its new Marine and Container Handling (MACH) software. 

Speaking on the achievement, Flemming Dalgaard said: “I am truly privileged to accept the award, and extend my sincere gratitude to the organisers of the CEO Middle East Awards for this prestigious commendation.  I also take this opportunity to thank our dynamic and dedicated team of employees at Gulftainer, who continue to believe in our strategic mission and work relentlessly in helping us achieve it.” 

Acknowledging this achievement, Jeremy Lawrence, Editorial Director, CEO Middle East said: “The CEO Middle East Awards recognizes leaders who have made valuable contributions in their fields. We congratulate them and Flemming on winning the Industry CEO of the Year award." 

The CEO Middle East Awards 2017 was held on 12 September in Dubai, with the judges presenting awards to 12 winners carefully picked from more than 125 nominations. The judging panel comprised the editorial team and directors of ITP Executive Publishing.

Flemming Dalgaard joined Gulftainer in August 2015 to manage its international operations. He was appointed CEO of the Group in February 2016, to oversee the company’s strategic growth across its ports and logistics businesses in the UAE and internationally across Iraq, Brazil, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Dalgaard has also been ranked among the top 10 most influential Supply Chain CEOs in the Middle East.

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About Gulftainer
Gulftainer is the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator. Established in the emirate of Sharjah in 1976, the rapidly expanding ports and logistics company has built up a strong presence in various parts of the world. In 2016, the Seatrade Maritime Awards named Gulftainer Terminal Operator of the Year in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa region.

In the UAE, the company operates two main ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority – Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). Its flagship terminal, KCT, was recognised by the Journal of Commerce as the fastest terminal in the MENA region and the third-fastest in the world.

Outside the UAE, the Gulftainer Group operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several countries including Iraq (Iraq Container Terminal, Iraq Project Terminal and Umm Qasr Logistics Centre), Pakistan (GTL-MTI), Brazil (Recife Port), Lebanon (Tripoli Container Terminal) and Turkey (Momentum Logistics). In Saudi Arabia, Gulftainer acquired a 51-per cent stake in Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in June 2013, and now operates the Northern Container Terminal in Jeddah, Jubail Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port. The company’s latest facility, Canaveral Cargo Terminal in Florida, USA, opened in June 2015 following the signing of a 35-year agreement that made Gulftainer the first port management company from the Middle East to operate in the United States. 

Currently handling an annual throughput of 6.5 million TEUs, Gulftainer aims to expand its global portfolio in the next 10 years to triple business volume worldwide to more than 10,000 vessels calls and triple container handling to 18 million TEUs. For further details, please visit www.gulftainer.com.   

For media enquiries, please contact:
Kathryn Bradley
PR and Communications Manager
Gulftainer 
+9716 5120000
Kbradley@gulftainer.com

Christy Abraham
APCO Worldwide 
+9715 51 342859
cabraham@apcoworldwide.com

Saanya Gulati
APCO Worldwide 
+9715 28 361778
sgulati@apcoworldwide.com  

© Press Release 2017