Visionary Marina Leaders & Frontline Service Heroes Compete in the Expanded 2025 Edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards

In collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the emirate’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), has announced the successful end of the submission period for the third edition of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards.

The Awards attracted entries from leading and emerging marinas, projects, and individuals across eight countries, underscoring the Awards’ stature as a regional benchmark for marina excellence.

The Awards continue to spotlight excellence and innovation across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT region) marina industry, this year with 13 categories, including several new accolades, awarded by a jury of experts and one special recognition selected by members of the public. With interest from both seasoned operators and emerging contributors, the range of entries reflects the programme’s growing reach and impact.

The award category expansion this year reflects the diversity of contributions shaping the regional industry. New categories include:

• Outstanding Emerging Marina, designed to celebrate small and mid-sized marinas (200 berths or fewer);
• project-based awards, highlighting targeted, high-impact initiatives within marinas;
• and individual-based awards – Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Service Hero, and Rising Star – celebrating the people driving progress in MENAT marinas.

This new approach adds a human dimension to the Awards, offering a rare opportunity to highlight the stories of individuals whose passion, innovation, and commitment are driving the sector forward. From frontline champions to rising talents and visionary leaders, their contributions leave a lasting impact on both communities and customers.

Returning award categories include five pillars of organisation-wide excellence: Customer Experience, Employer Excellence, Health and Safety, Innovation, and Sustainability. The prestigious Outstanding Marina title will again honour a marina that demonstrates excellence across all five categories. As with previous editions, submissions were open to any licensed marina owner or operator across the MENAT region. Due to high interest in the awards, the deadline for submissions was extended, underscoring the awards’ rising profile and value as a platform for regional recognition.

Public engagement will continue to shape the returning Most Popular Marina special recognition, determined entirely by verified votes through a secure, tamper-resistant online system (https://www.maritime-awards.com) that opened on 20 October.

All winners will be announced at the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards ceremony on 20 November during of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show – one of the region’s largest gatherings for boating industry professionals, customers, and enthusiasts.

The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards are one of Abu Dhabi Maritime’s strategic initiatives, launched in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre, to enhance waterway management and promote innovation within the maritime sector.