Nakilat Wins Lifetime Achievement Award in Dubai, UAE

Nakilat, Qatar’s premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping company has been honored by the maritime industry’s leading daily newspaper Lloyd’s List, receiving its most coveted annual award for shipping and port facilities in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.

The presentation ceremony took place at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai on Wednesday, 16 November 2011. The prestigious Lloyd’s List awards recognize the companies and people that are making history in the regional and global shipping industries.

In presenting Nakilat’s Managing Director with the “Lifetime Achievement Award”, Mr. Richard Meade, Editor of Lloyd’s List said, “This year we wanted to reflect the growing significance of gas and specifically LNG in the global shipping sector, and the impressive role of Qatar at the centre of a revolutionary rise in importance of LNG as a pivotal source of global energy. Nakilat’s Q-Max and Q-Flex vessels have in many ways helped defined the LNG trade and shaped markets.”

Completion of the Nakilat fleet was hailed by Lloyd’s List as a “tremendous accomplishment”. All vessels were completed on time and all ships managed and operated upon delivery in what remains the largest single requisition of marine shipping tonnage since World War II​. Creative financing was pivotal in making the vision for Qatar’s LNG fleet a reality, defying skeptics. Nakilat’s control, ownership and management of the fleet have proved essential in maintaining strategic control of Qatar’s ‘floating pipeline’ and play a key role in the 77MTA value chain.

Lloyd’s List also lauded Nakilat’s achievements at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard, where the company has created a new and completely integrated marine industrial sector for Qatar. As Nakilat’s role has evolved, the company has developed world-class facilities for the construction, repair and maintenance of ships at Ras Laffan, serving global customers.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious honor that Lloyd’s List awards each year. The winner is chosen by a panel led by the editor and senior editorial team along with an independent panel of judges who are tasked to recognize excellence in the shipping and maritime industry and acknowledge the successes of top class performers. Each year’s awards involve a process of vigorous debate as a number of worthy organizations are considered for the various honors.

Nakilat’s Managing Director, Mr. Muhammad Ghannam, accepted the Lloyd’s List Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Nakilat and the State of Qatar. Mr. Ghannam said, “I am honored to have played a part in the creation of Qatar’s shipping and marine industry. The successes of Nakilat’s efforts to date are not attributable to any single individual. What has been achieved would not have been possible without the bold vision of His Highness, the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who created the economic engine and direction for Qatar, and for the tremendous guidance and support from His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Emiri Diwan, that has made this vision a reality. I also thank His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and our charterers Qatargas and RasGas who have played key roles in this achievement. Also invaluable have been the creative energy and hard work from our partners, employees and the management at Qatar Petroleum​ and the Port of Ras Laffan.”

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World Maritime News Staff, November 21, 2011; Image: Nakilat