Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation and President of Emirates Kiteboarding Association, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards - Marinas Edition has taken place.
The awards, the first of its kind in the region, were organised to promote excellence in the marina operation industry.
The awards, created by Abu Dhabi Maritime in cooperation with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi, were an important milestone for marinas in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye.
The inaugural event, hosted at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, recognised outstanding achievements within the marina sector, with participants from eight countries vying for honours across six award categories. The Best in Environment and Best in Safety award was won by Ayla Marina in Jordan. Aldar Marinas in the UAE won Best in Practice, while Dubai Creek Marina in the UAE won the Best in Service Award.
The Best in Sustainability award went to Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina in Saudi Arabia, while D Marin Turgutreis in Türkiye won the Best Overall Marina. The award for Favourite Marina, voted for by the public, was awarded to Mangrove Marina – Delma Marine.
During the ceremony, the winning marinas were praised for their excellence and commitment to elevating industry standards within the region.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director General of ITC, said: "The Integrated Transport Centre believes that the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards not only celebrate winners, but also inspires excellence at an industry level and raise associated standards to keep pace with the future, which requires innovation and brilliance."
"The positive competition witnessed this year is an important step towards developing the maritime sector and improving the visitor experience. We believe that the awards will provide an additional incentive for the development of services and infrastructure and contribute to upgrading the level of marinas for a brighter future."
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Maritime, said: "The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards Ceremony has not only celebrated the achievements of the innovative marina winners, but also sets a new benchmark for excellence in the marina sector. We are confident that these recognitions will inspire and elevate standards throughout the industry. This event represents a significant step forward in our mission to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a leading global maritime destination." This year’s winners were evaluated by a judging committee of industry experts, which weighted each finalist against a set of global standards and key performance indicators.
Operating under AD Ports Group, in cooperation with Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Maritime governs and regulates Abu Dhabi’s waterways by providing world-leading maritime infrastructure, while ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, environment, and quality.
