Oilfield services company Topaz Energy and Marine won two awards out of four nominations at the annual Seatrade Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Awards 2011 held in Dubai.
Stephen Thomas, CEO of Topaz Energy and Marine, commented on the awards saying, “The Seatrade Awards are a benchmark for excellence in our industry. We are very honoured to have won these two awards amongst other first class finalists. We shall treat the Safety & Quality Award as a charge of responsibility to maintain the highest standards of safety in all that we do.”
Receiving the awards on behalf of the division was Roy Donaldson, COO of Topaz Marine, who said, “Our people work tirelessly to maintain a spotless safety record, and winning the Safety & Quality and Workboat Awards demonstrates the unwavering commitment and serious attention we place on safety and efficiency across our businesses. This has brought great honour to our company and we could not be more pleased by the outstanding effort of all those in Topaz Marine to qualify in four major categories.”
Topaz was also represented as finalists in ‘Technical Innovation’ and ‘Marine and Offshore Services’ categories.
The company also won the Workboats Award. Operating a fleet of 102 vessels, Topaz Marine offers a range of offshore support services including towage, rig moves, pipelay support, survey, subsea development, installation maintenance and repair, production and development supply, cable laying, ice breakers etc.
Further success for the UAE came when Dubai World’s flagship repair and fabrication yard, Drydocks World scooped the Ship Repair and Shipyard Award.
“We are extremely happy to have received this Award for the fifth consecutive year. It is indeed a proud testimonial to our commitment towards providing value added services to our customers by implementing operational excellence in production techniques and project management. We also lay stress on continuous improvement and hope to raise the bar on our performance while maintaining our excellent credentials in safety, quality and environment,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman, Drydocks World and Maritime World.
“The companies that were both shortlisted for the awards and those that were winners have shown exemplary levels of achievement, in areas such as technical and operational innovation, commitment to safety and quality, social and environmental responsibility, business acumen and development of human resources. Seatrade salute them all,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, the award organisers.
The awards were judged by a 12-strong panel of esteemed international judges, led by Rear Admiral Efthimios Mitropoulos, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The evening also featured 4 special awards that were presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the industry in the region and have dominated the headlines.
Seatrade Young Person of the Year, a new award for 2011, was awarded to Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Ports Company and CEO, Masdar, was announced Seatrade Personality of The Year and Mr Sabyasachi Hajara, Chairman & Managing Director, The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd was awarded for The Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award.
Jorn Hinge, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Arab Shipping Company (S.A.G.) was honoured with The Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to the industry and in particular his last 18 years with UASC during which time, one of his greatest achievements has been overseeing the modernisation of the company’s fleet, currently standing at 58 vessels, with efficient, high quality and environmentally friendly tonnage.
