The 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards took place on November 20th, as part of the seventh annual Abu Dhabi International Boat Show, with an expanded list of categories. Taking home the gold award in the Outstanding Marina category was Dubai Harbour, while D-Marin Didim received the Silver Award.
Abu Dhabi Maritime, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has announced the return of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards in July, with new additions to the categories for both project and individual-based achievements.
Hosted in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre, part of the Abu Dhabi Municipalities and Transport, the third iteration of the ceremony continues to highlight and recognize excellence in marina management and operations through the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye (MENAT).
In addition to last year’s categories (Outstanding Marina, Most Popular Marina, Customer Experience, Employer Excellence, Health and Safety, Innovation and Sustainability), the awards body has introduced an additional seven categories.
“Outstanding Emerging Marina,” billed as the programme’s second most coveted prize, is created for small and medium facilities that accommodate 200 or fewer berths. The category shares the same criteria as the “Outstanding Marina” award.
The inaugural project-based awards, “sustainability project,” “Innovation Project,” and “Wellbeing Project,” give the chance for marinas to exhibit a “standout programme or initiative,” under the most impactful marina category.
As for the individual-based awards, “Outstanding Leader Award,” “Outstanding Service Hero Award,” and “Rising Star Award”, the category looks to honour managers and workers who have made a difference in the regional marina industry.
List of winners:
Organisation Categories
Outstanding Marina Award
- Gold: Dubai Harbour – Dubai, UAE
- Silver: D-Marin Didim – Didim, Türkiye
Innovation Award
- Gold: D-Marin Göcek – Göcek, Turkiye
- Silver: Palm Jumeirah Marina – UAE
Employer Excellence Award
- Gold: Palm Jumeirah Marina – Dubai, UAE
- Silver: Bulgari Marina – Dubai, UAE
Customer Experience Award
- Gold: D-Marin Didim – Didim, Türkiye
- SilverD-Marin Göcek – Göcek, Turkiye
Outstanding Emerging Marina Award
- Gold: DMarin Marsa Al Arab – Dubai, UAE
- Silver: The Marina at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental – Dubai, UAE
Sustainability Award
- Gold: D-Marin Turgutreis – Turgutreis, Turkiye
- Silver: The Pearl Island Marina – Doha, Qatar
Health & Safety Awards
- Gold: The Marina at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental – Dubai, UAE
- Silver: D-Marin Turgutreis – Turgutreis, Turkiye
Most Popular Marina Award
- Gold: The Pearl Island Marina – Doha, Qatar
- Silver: Bulgari Marina – Dubai, UAE
Project Categories:
Innovation Project Award:
- Dubai Harbour – Dubai, UAE
Sustainability Project Award
- Dubai Islands Marina – Dubai, UAE
Individual Categories
Outstanding Leader Award
- Gold: Wayne Shepherd, Dubai Harbour
- Silver: Adel Maani, Ayla Marina
Rising Star Award
- Gold: Hassan Ahmad, Jeddah Yacht Club
- Silver: Sherzodbek Ganiev, Palm Jumeirah Marina
Outstanding Service Hero Award
- Gold: Sara Abdelaziz Aldar Marinas LLC
- Silver: Charles Mayanja, Emirates Palace Marina