Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards Return with Bigger 2025 Edition

Photo: WAM

Abu Dhabi Maritime, a part of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, has officially launched the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards. These awards are being organized in cooperation with the Integrated Transport Centre of the Department of Municipalities and Transport. The awards will be held during the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show on November 20, 2025. This event will bring together marinas and industry professionals from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.

Encouraging Excellence in Marinas

The main aim of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards is to promote high-quality standards in marina operations and management. The awards are designed to recognize marinas that perform exceptionally well and contribute to the overall development of the maritime sector in the region. These awards help set a benchmark for excellence, guiding other marinas to improve their services and follow best practices.

Open to All Licensed Marinas in the Region

The awards are open to all licensed marina owners and operators in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. Any marina that meets the eligibility criteria can apply and showcase their work. This open call allows a wide range of marinas, both large and small, to participate and gain recognition for their efforts.

Statement from the Integrated Transport Centre

Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, who is the Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, expressed his excitement about the launch of the third edition. He said that this step is important for improving the operational systems in marinas. According to him, these awards help create a clear and effective framework that boosts the efficiency and quality of marina operations. He also mentioned that these efforts align with Abu Dhabi’s long-term goals of building advanced and sustainable infrastructure.

Growing Interest in the Awards

Captain Saif Al Muhairi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, highlighted how the awards have grown over the years. He shared that in the second edition, the number of applicants tripled compared to the first year. This shows how much interest and awareness have grown in the marina sector about the importance of excellence and recognition.

More Categories Added This Year

Captain Saif Al Muhairi also said that this year’s awards have been expanded. The program now includes 13 categories, along with a special recognition award. These new categories will give marinas and individuals more chances to be honored for their work and contributions. The purpose is to shine a light on innovative ideas, sustainability practices, and great customer service that are helping the maritime sector grow.

Returning Categories from Previous Editions

This year’s event will continue with five important categories that were part of the earlier editions. These returning categories are

1. Customer Experience Excellence Award—for marinas that give customers the best possible service and experience.

2. Workplace Excellence Award—for marinas that provide a great environment for their staff and promote positive work culture.

3. Health and Safety Excellence Award—for marinas that focus strongly on keeping people safe and healthy.

4. Innovation Excellence Award—for marinas that use creative and smart ideas to improve their services.

5. Sustainability Excellence Award—for marinas that protect the environment and follow green practices.

Outstanding Marina Award

Along with the above five categories, there is also the prestigious Outstanding Marina Award. This special award is given to the marina that performs the best across all five main categories. It is considered the top honor in the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards and is meant for marinas that show overall excellence in every area.

New Category for Smaller Marinas

To encourage smaller marinas, a new award called “Outstanding Emerging Marina” has been introduced. This award has the same judging criteria as the “Outstanding Marina” award but is only for marinas with 200 berths or fewer. It is the second-highest award in the entire program. This new category will allow smaller marinas to compete fairly and get the recognition they deserve for their quality and efforts.

Automatic Inclusion in Subcategories

All applicants for the Outstanding Marina and Outstanding Emerging Marina awards will also be automatically entered into the five subcategories (Customer Experience, Workplace, Health & Safety, Innovation, and Sustainability). However, to keep the competition fair, winners of these two major awards will not be allowed to win in the other institutional categories. This rule ensures equal opportunities for all applicants.

Six New Awards for Projects and Individuals

This year, six brand-new categories have been added. These are aimed at individuals and special projects in the maritime field. These categories will help highlight the hard work and innovation of people and teams who are making important contributions to the marina industry. These new awards add depth to the program and recognize efforts beyond marina facilities alone.

The Public Can Vote for the Most Popular Marina

One of the most exciting additions this year is the “Most Popular Marina” award. This is the only category where the public gets to vote. People from all over the region can take part by voting for their favorite marina on a dedicated online platform. The link to this voting site will be shared soon. This award gives marina users a voice, helping to highlight marinas that are loved by the public.

Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Vision

The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards play an important role in supporting the emirate’s vision of building a strong, modern, and sustainable maritime industry. The awards also help promote healthy competition, encourage new ideas, and ensure that customers and the environment are always top priorities. By recognizing both large and small efforts, the awards help raise the overall standard of marina services.

With 13 categories, new awards, and a strong focus on quality, the 2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards is set to be the most inclusive and dynamic edition so far. Marinas of all sizes, as well as individuals and project teams, now have more opportunities to be recognized. Applications are open now, and marina owners and operators are encouraged to apply early. The public is also invited to take part in the voting and celebrate the best marinas in the region.