Conference Speakers 2016

CEO

Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC)

Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah is currently the CEO of KOTC and has many years of senior leadership experience in the Oil sector. Prior to his current assignment, Sheikh Talal was the Managing Director (Government and Parliament Public & Media Relations) in KOTC’s parent organization, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and the Chairman of KOTC’s Board of Directors. He also serves as a distinguished Chairman and Board Member in other oil sector companies in Kuwait.

As a leader, he has always placed great trust and faith in the inherent capabilities of his people. He has always encouraged the youth to explore and develop and reach to their maximum potential, while being a fully supportive leader.

Sheikh Talal is also quite well-known for his passionate championing of various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Kuwait. He firmly believes that sustainable development is a must for maintaining the health and meeting the needs of our community by living in the Earth’s ecological limits while at the same time, without compromising the needs of future generations.

As a leader he encourages and patronizes all youth activities, Scouting & Guides movement, sports ,body building. Sheikh Talal oversees administration several sporting bodies and professional institutes which encourage education and excellence among youth. <check about his role in PAYS>

He is a positive, proactive and action driven leader who is highly connected with all the oil sector employees and the people of Kuwait.

Chairman

Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY)

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa – Chairman, Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard Co., Kingdom of Bahrain:

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa is currently Chairman of two Bahrain-based companies, Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) and Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co. He has previously held the positions of the Chairman of the Board of General Organisation of Seaport (GOP) and Undersecretary for Port Affairs at the Ministry of Finance. He was President of Customs from March 2006 until June 2008 and prior to that he was Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Other positions held by him previously included: Chairman of Bahrain Airport Company and GCC Patent Office, Deputy Chairman, Bahrain Promotions & Marketing Board, and Vice Chairman of United Arab Shipping Company, Bahrain Convention & Exhibition Authority, Tender Board, Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA), Shaikha Hessa Girls School and King Fahd Causeway Authority. Shaikh Daij holds a BSBA from the American University, Washington, D.C. and a Leadership Management Diploma (Gulf Executive Program) from the University of Virginia, USA. Awards received by him in recent years included: Seatrade Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Awards “Personality of the Year Award” (2010) and “Seatrade Maritime Industry Award” (2015).

Contract Address:        

Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard Co.,

PO Box 50110, Hidd, Manama

Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel: +973 – 17674348

Fax:+973 – 17 464144

Email: chairman@asry.net

Managing Director & Group Chief Executive


Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC

Khamis Juma Buamim was appointed as the Executive Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World in May 2010 and has successfully led the organization through its restructuring during a global financial crisis. His leadership and direction have been instrumental in the company being able to acquire several pioneering projects on a global scale. This leadership has seen the company move from close to financial failure, create major synergies, recognize potential and place the organization firmly on a path driven to sustainable profitability and growth.

An oil and gas industry veteran, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Regional Clean Sea Organization (the Gulf oil industry organization). Prior to joining RECSO, he was with Conoco and ConocoPhillips for 26 years in various management positions, including Vice President of Dubai Petroleum Company (DPC), a ConocoPhillips affiliate company in the United Arab Emirates.

He is also the Chairman of the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries and the Federal NTA committee for the review and update of the maritime law and member of the advisory board of the Emirates Classification Society, TASNEEF.

He has also served as the Chairman and CEO of Dubai Drydocks and Dubai Maritime City, the Secretary General of the UAE Oil & Gas Human Resources Group, led the Dubai Petroleum Management Incident Command System, was a Member of International Human Resources Management and Advisor to the Gulf Career Development Forum, Secretary General of the Dubai Government Oil Spill Task Force, the Crisis Management Team of Dubai and the Region and Senior MENA region Advisor-Global Energy.

He holds a Degree in Business Management and Economics and a higher accreditation on the International Human Resources Management from the UK and has various outstanding accomplishments and certification including the National Management Certification in Incident Command Systems from Texas – USA.

H.E. Khamis Buamim received the Maritime Personality of the Year Award at MarineBiz TV International Maritime Awards 2013, Seatrade Maritime Excellence Award Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Awards 2013, Best Manager of the Year Award from the Europe Business Assembly’s Socrates Awards 2014, and an Award for Excellence in Shipyard Management for Offshore Services at the 1st International Maritime Club Golden Helm Excellence Awards 2014. He has also recently been awarded the World Leader Business Person Certificate for his leadership of DDWMW by the World Confederation of Business & was recognized with the “Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award” by Lloyds List for his contribution to the in an exemplary & profound manner and for his distinguished service to the maritime sector in the UAE, his role in reviving the legacy shipbuilder & helping to instill new energy into the Dubai & UAE maritime scene. In 2015 he was recognized by Tanker Shipping & Trade of London as being among the top 50 most influential people in the tanker industry worldwide

President

Bahri

In 2014, right after the successful completion of the merger between Vela and Bahri, Naser Al-Abdulkareem was appointed by Bahri Board as President, Bahri Oil Transportation. He currently holds board membership positions in United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and Britannia P&I Club.

He started his career in Procter & Gamble and Saudi Electric Company for four years and then joined Saudi Aramco in 1994 where he held various key positions in several organizations within Saudi Aramco. In 2011, with the official formation of Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara), a joint venture between Dow Chemical Company and Saudi Aramco, he was named as Sadara’s Vice President for Business & Services. Naser had over 26 years work experience in the maritime industry particularly in the tanker business.

Naser Al-Abdulkareem earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management and Master in Business Administration (MBA) from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. He attended further education and trainings such as the Advanced Executive Management Program at Oxford University; Saudi Aramco’s Management Development Seminar in Washington, D.C., and Saudi Aramco’s Asia Business & Culture Program.

CEO

Emirates Classification (TASNEEF)

Mr. Rashed Al Hebsi, agraduate of the University ofMiami, USA, earned his B.S. in Electronics Engineering andUAE Naval Officer Commission. During his 22+ year Naval career, Mr. Al Hebsi held distinguished roles in the UAE Navy for new vessel construction, combat system designs, and program/project management roles in multiple countries.
In 2011, he was selectedas the Head of the Joint Committee to establish the first National Classification Society in the Arab World where he serves as the Chief Executive Officer forEmirates Classification Society, TASNEEF. Mr. Al Hebsi and TASNEEF have received many industry accolades from Company establishment and implementation during 2012-2014 and continue in 2015 as TASNEEF has been recognized in the Top Ten of Classification Societies world-wide.
Mr. Alhebsi is married with five children, fluent in five languages, an avid bicyclist, and an instrumental mentor to young Emirates to advance their education and professional opportunities in the Maritime World of Work.

Maritime Security Manager

BIMCO

Prior to pursuing a career in maritime security Phil was an officer in the Royal Marine Commandos, attaining the rank of Major after 31 years military service. His military career included littoral operations on a global scale, warfighting and specialization in cold weather warfare. Since leaving in 2010, Phil has managed offshore security in the Indian Ocean High Risk Area in support of seismic operations, which included 2 Somali pirate attacks at sea. He went on to establish and coordinate anti-piracy transit operations for a respected PMSC based in Dubai. Phil has a thorough understanding of port operations, personnel training requirements, compliance and management systems.

Phil joined BIMCO in 2015 and his primary role is to assist members with all aspects of maritime security;

Managing Partner

Fichte & Co.

One of the region’s most experienced maritime experts, Jasamin Fichte launched law firm Fichte Legal Consultants in Dubai in 2005. It has since grown into one of the Middle East’s largest, most influential maritime law firms, achieving numerous landmark judgments that have revolutionized legal practice in the UAE. It has been awarded a raft of prestigious regional and international accolades, including Shipping Law Firm of the Year 2015 in the UAE, and Maritime Law Firm of the Year.

As part of her ongoing mission to improve awareness and interest in the region’s maritime sector, Fichte is the founder and president of the UAE chapter of WISTA, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, chair of the Dubai Maritime Advisory Council, which advises the Dubai government on improving the city’s shipping framework, and an editorial board member of shipping magazine MARASI.

Deputy CEO

Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC)

Ali Shehab Ahmad is a graduate from South Tyneside College (Marine College) in United Kingdom. He sailed as a Chief Engineer on-board KOTC vessels and spent considerable time at sea before being assigned on-shore at KOTC Head Office. His experience at sea, saw him lead the Fleet Personnel Group before being assigned as Manager of the critical New Building Projects Group

He is currently the Deputy CEO of KOTC, holding charge of the Fleet Directorate which includes all operational matters for Fleet which include the Fleet Marine Operations, Engineering, Personnel, New Building Projects, the Marine Agency Branch and the LPG plants in Kuwait.

Prior to this, Mr. Ali Shehab was the Manager for Fleet New Building Projects, and was largely responsible for KOTC Fleet Renewal plans as well as inducting modern environment-friendly technologies on-board all the vessels.

While stationed at Ulsan, Korea from 2005 to 2007, as KOTC Site Manager at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), he was awarded the Ulsan Honorable Citizenship by the Ulsan City Mayor in Oct 2007.

He also serves as a distinguished Chairman and Board Member in KOTC subsidiary shipping companies. He is also the Chairman of the DNV-GL Middle East Technical Committee – which is the No.1 Classification Society in the world, and a member of ABS – South East Asia and the Middle East Technical committee.

As a leader, he has always placed great trust and faith in the inherent capabilities of his colleagues. He has always encouraged them to explore and develop and reach to their maximum potential, while being a fully supportive leader.

Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs

Greece

Mr. Petros Doukas has a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University. He studied Economics and International Relations at George Washington University (Bachelor of Arts), Management and Fiscal Relations at Columbia (MBA) and Economics at New York University (MA and Ph.D. in Economics). From 1979 to 1985 he worked as an Economist and Currency Analyst for Citibank in New York, and also as Foreign Exchange Exposure Management Advisor, Foreign Exchange Dealer, and Money Market Dealer.In 1986 he took over as Citibank Investment Banking Country Head and Country Treasurer for Greece, and in 1990 also took over as Country Head for the Institutional and Corporate Banking sectors. From August 1992 to October 1993 he was Deputy Minister of Finance in the government of Konstantinos Mitsotakis, with the Public Debt and Public Assets among his responsibilities. In 1994 he returned to Citibank, and in 1996 he founded Capital Partners SA., which deals mainly in strategic partnerships and company takeovers and mergers. In March 2004 he was elected deputy for the Precinct of Attica and was appointed Deputy Minister for the Economy and Finance, Head of the General Accounting Office. His responsibilities included the formulation and implementation of the Budget, Central Government Debt & Operations, Government Security Auctions, Public Trusts, Loans and Bonds, the Public Corporation for Moveable Assets, Subsidy Programs and Management of Public Funds, the State Bursar’s and Payments Office (State Treasury), Fiscal Relations with the EU, Fiscal Validation of the Ministries, Prefectural Governments and Legal Entities under Public Statute and Civil Servants Pension Funds. In September 2007 he was re-elected MP for Attica and appointed Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy.

Chief Executive

Mercmarine Group of Companies

Managing Director

McQuilling Shipping Services

Hari as he is known in commercial circles is a master mariner having sailed in command of crude/chemical and CPP tankers. He offers a unique blend of sea and shore- extensive, international and multinational work experience in a wide range of shipping sectors which include marine operations, training, auditing, crewing, QHSE, commercial operations, chartering, sale & purchase, projects and strategic business development. Cultivating on his commercial acumen, he has spent the last decade cementing his position in the commercial world of shipping. He has had the privilege of working in the commercial department of a very large shipowner, thereby bringing tremendous experience and insight into the role he is in today. Highly respected for his work ethics and commercial knowledge, Hari set up McQuilling Dubai in 2012 as the MD. McQuilling Partners is a privately owned marine services company and is seated on both the International and Asian Baltic Exchange tankers panels.  In addition to its regional presence in Dubai, Mumbai and Delhi, the group is headquartered in New York with offices in Singapore, Athens, Caracas, Houston, Lima Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.  For the past three consecutive years, McQuilling Partners has been named among the top ten shipbrokers in the world by Lloyd’s List.  Hari is today a partner in the group, and is also the MD of McQuilling India. He is a certified auditor by DNV. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered shipbrokers, and was the recipient of the Global Tanker chartering award. He is a member of the committee of the ICS, UAE, and lectures regularly to aspiring students on Tanker chartering/markets/ship management. In addition, he is also the vice-chairman of the Nautical Institute UAE Branch. Hari has authored several papers that have been published in various maritime publications. Any spare time he has is spent with his wife and two children.

Managing Partner

Ince & Co.

Rania is the Managing Partner of Ince & Co.’s Dubai office. Rania qualified as an English solicitor with Ince & Co in London in 2000 and relocated from London to Dubai in 2013 with her family. Her practice focuses on shipping/offshore energy disputes as well commercial support to companies in the shipping and offshore sectors. Rania has over 15 years’ experience in international commercial arbitration and maritime litigation. She is currently involved in numerous disputes varying from simple charter disputes to complex multiparty cross jurisdictional disputes.

Rania’s practice focuses on shipping/offshore energy disputes as well commercial support to companies in the shipping and offshore sectors. She regularly advises her clients on matters arising from utilisation of Vessels and offshore structures, limiting and excluding liability, contractual disputes and providing general legal support to companies operating in the offshore world. As a result of her involvement in the leading case of Gdynia v Gearbulk, Rania has developed a specialist shipbuilding practice advising on the issues which arise during and post construction of vessels and offshore structures. Rania has over 15 years’ experience in international commercial arbitration and maritime litigation. She is currently involved in numerous disputes varying from simple charter disputes to complex multiparty cross jurisdictional disputes.

Chief Executive

Islamic P & I Club

Amir Hossein Mosadeghi was born on the 8th August, 1977, in Tehran. He obtained his Master’s degree in System Analysis Engineering in 1995. Amir started his career by establishing an IT company providing total solutions to different types of companies until 2000. Shortly after that he joined the Islamic P&I Club as IT Manager and after 2 years of direct experience he was appointed Deputy CEO.

Since 2004, when Islamic P&I Club inaugurated its regional office in Dubai, he has been stationed in Dubai, acting as IPIC regional manager, expanding the company’s market through Middle East. In addition, he is supervising the IPIC Jakarta office, responsible for South East Asian markets and the Islamic P&I Club’s next office in Istanbul, Turkey. All claims are handled by the IPIC claims handling department which is based in the Dubai office as well as underwriting-related matters.

In June 2016, he is appointed as the Club Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors.

Director-Commercial

Drydocks World Dubai

A Mechanical Engineer by profession. Joined Drydocks World – Dubai as an Estimator in 1998, was part of the project management team in completing many successful FPSO conversion, New Building and major upgrade projects. During his tenure as part of special projects team, he was successful in bringing to fruition major contracts for FPSO conversion and new building in addition to numerous repair projects.

Steadily grown in the company and have carried out feasibility study on upgrade projects, acquisition and restructuring. He has attended specialized courses and gained experience in Contract Management, successfully negotiating Contracts for the Company. He has extensive experience working in shipyards in India and Middle East, including a yard managed by Keppel.