Nominations are open to participate in the Abu Dhabi Marine Awards 2026

ABU DHABI, 15 JULY / WAM / Abu Dhabi Marine, affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, in cooperation with the Integrated Transport Center (Abu Dhabi Transport), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, announced the opening of nominations to participate in the Abu Dhabi Marine Awards 2026, where an honoring ceremony will be held within the activities of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, which is organized from 19 to 22 November 2026.

Since the launch of its first edition in 2023, the Abu Dhabi Marine Awards have aimed to shed light on the vital marina sector in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region, and to establish new standards of excellence in the management and operation of marinas, through 12 awards within the award categories; The fourth edition receives applications for nominations from all marina owners and operators who have obtained the necessary licenses at the region level.

Dr. Abdullah Hamad Al Ghafli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center, said: “The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards support the vision of the Integrated Transport Center aiming to provide sustainable infrastructure in accordance with international standards that contribute to enhancing mobility and driving economic growth. The fourth edition of the awards reflects our continued confidence in the strength of the regional marina sector, its competitiveness and its promising future prospects. It also confirms Abu Dhabi’s leading position as a global maritime centre, and through the awards programme, we aspire to enhance innovations and ways of cooperation that… “Stimulates progress and development throughout the marina industry.”

Captain Saif Al Muhairi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and CEO of Sustainability and Risk Management at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said: “Abu Dhabi Marine Awards continues to consolidate its position as a leading platform for celebrating excellence and driving progress in the marina sector in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region. By honoring institutions, projects and individuals who contribute to the development of the sector, the awards highlight joint efforts aimed at building a maritime sector more capable of adaptability, innovation and sustainability. We are renewed in the Ports Group. Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Maritime are committed to supporting this development momentum and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global maritime center in developing the maritime sector.”

The fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards includes categories dedicated to honoring institutions, projects and individuals, in a comprehensive and integrated approach that aims to honor entities, initiatives and competencies that contribute to shaping the features of the marina sector at the regional level.

Five main awards dedicated to organizations celebrate distinguished and pioneering achievements, including: the “Excellence in Customer Experience” award, the “Excellence in the Work Environment” award, the “Excellence in Health and Safety” award, the “Excellence in Innovation” award, and the “Excellence in Sustainability” award.

The “Distinguished Anchor” award, which is the highest award in the competition, is also given to the anchor that demonstrates exceptional distinction and excellence across all five institutional award categories. Anchors that apply to compete for the award are automatically included in the five main institutional award categories, while the winner of this award is not eligible to win any of the other institutional award categories, in order to ensure equal opportunities among all participating anchors.

Three categories dedicated to projects honor qualitative initiatives. The “Sustainability Award,” the “Innovation Award,” and the “Worker Welfare Award” celebrate successful independent projects, rather than evaluating the overall performance of organizations. The three categories dedicated to individuals, namely: the “Distinguished Leader” award, the “Distinguished Service Champion” award, and the “Rising Star” award, honor people who inspire their colleagues, clients, and communities through their outstanding performance and influential contributions.

Finally, the awards program for 2026 will include the return of the “Most Popular Marina” award, the winner of which is determined by the public voting for their favorite marina via a secure electronic portal, with voting starting next October.

Abu Dhabi Marine invites marinas and individuals working in them to submit nominations to participate in the fourth edition of the awards through the Abu Dhabi Marine Awards website. More information about the awards program, evaluation criteria, and application and evaluation procedures can be found on the award’s website.

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