Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem

Position: Chairman, DP World

Biography: Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was appointed chairman of Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), the precursor to DP World, when it was formed in 1991 to integrate Jebel Ali Port and Port Rashid. He continued as chairman of DP World when it was formed in 2005 with the integration of DPA, Dubai Ports International (DPI) and the newly acquired CSX World Terminals. He became chairman of holding firm Dubai World on its formation in 2006. He began his career working for Dubai Customs and went on to head Dubai’s first free trade zone, later becoming chairman of the Ports, Free Zone & Customs Corporation. Sulayem’s experience with the development of the free zone led to him founding Dubai property developer Nakheel. Other firms soon followed. The Dubai ports of Jebel Ali and Port Rashid together showed growth of 20 per cent in 2007 from 2006, to reach 10.7 million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs).

Contact Tel: (+9714) 881 1110

Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah al-Qasimi

Position: Chairman, Sharjah Seaports & Customs

Biography: As chairman of Sharjah Seaports & Customs, Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah al-Qasimi is the driving force behind the development of the emirate’s ports, through projects such as the upgrade of Port Khalid, which is preparing to handle larger container vessels later this year once work to deepen its draught is completed. Together, Sharjah’s twin ports, Khalid and Khorfakkan, handled 2.1 million TEUs in 2007. Sheikh Khaled has spoken of a desire to build Sharjah into a major regional transport hub to encompass all modes of transport - a vision that is quickly becoming a reality. The infrastructure to support the growth of the transport network is rapidly coming on stream. In November, a $32m, 45,000-square-metre jet fuel storage terminal was inaugurated in the Hamriyah free zone, with a 45-kilometre pipeline linked directly to the airport.

Contact Tel: (+9706) 528 2216

Ahmed Saeed al-Calily

Position: CEO and managing director, Abu Dhabi Ports Company

Biography: It is estimated that container capacity will grow by more than 50 per cent within the next two years, with much of this in the UAE. Ahmed Saeed al-Calily, chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of Abu Dhabi Ports Company, is leading the way by constructing the new Khalifa Port & Industrial Free Zone (KPIZ). Earlier this month, he arranged a second instalment of bridging finance with HSBC to complete the initial construction phase. Located at Taweelah, the $2.1bn KPIZ is a multi-purpose facility, including a port large enough to compete on the world container stage, a free zone and space for manufacturing and logistics operators. DP World is understood to become the operator once the scheme has been completed, and the US’ Bechtel is programme manager. Al-Calily has been instrumental in moving this development forward.

ContactTel: (+9712) 695 2000

Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammad al-Sharqi

Position: Chairman, Fujairah Port

Biography: Deputy ruler of Fujairah Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammad al-Sharqi, who is also chairman of Fujairah Port, has encouraged expansion of the container handling facilities at the port as part of a broader strategy to raise the business profile of the emirate. Two years ago, DP World took over container handling at Fujairah and the port hopes to have expanded its berths to such an extent within the next few years that it will be able to handle the larger, modern container vessels. As the UAE has become more popular with tourists, the ports have been developed to take advantage of a new revenue stream: the global cruise market. Sheikh Saleh has encouraged this diversification of the emirate’s ports business. The port is now a stop for several Gulf cruise packages, also taking in Dubai, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

Contact Tel: (+9719) 222 8866

Jorn Hinger

Position: Vice-president, United Arab Shipping Company

Biography: United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) remains one the most significant container shipping lines in the region, having started in 1976 as a joint venture of five of the Gulf states. Hinger is seeking to encourage partnerships with other major companies in the region. In January, UASC announced Emirates Shipping Line would take regular capacity slots on its Mediterranean India Express service linking the major ports of the Indian subcontinent and the West Mediterranean coast, via the Middle East. Shipping volumes continue to grow strongly for UASC. On 20 February, the MV Hatta was delivered and deployed on the Asia-Europe container service, which sails via Dubai. The 6,919-TEU high-speed vessel is the second of eight new-generation container ships to be delivered from a $850m order made with a South Korean dockyard three years ago.

ContactTel: (+9714) 295 2525

Ven Govinda

Position: CEO, Ras al-Khaimah Port

Biography: In his time as chief executive officer of Ras al-Khaimah Port, Ven Govinda has been instrumental in growing cargo volumes at one of the most significant bulk cargo ports in the UAE. He was also at the heart of the team that launched the Ras al-Khaimah logistics park and inland container depot less than a year ago. Located at the centre of a fast-growing industrial zone, the logistics park boasts warehousing capacity of 2,500 square metres, together with a 12-metre high, fully-racked warehouse. To support the logistics park and container depot, Govinda oversaw the formation of RAK Global Logistics in early 2007, of which he is also CEO. The third-party logistics player operates 50 trailers and handles 110,000 TEUs annually. Govinda has encouraged expansion as a way of cementing Ras al-Khaimah’s position as a serious contender in the UAE logistics market.

Contact Tel: (+9717) 266 8444