Steering Committee
Captains of regional shipping industry to steer maritime event
High level steering committee of industry leaders formed to examine over-the-horizon challenges faced by region's maritime sector
A steering committee of major Middle East shipping industry leaders has been formed by the region's premier maritime event to focus on the challenges faced by the rapidly expanding sector.
The committee will help direct the high level conferences alongside Seatrade Middle East Maritime which will examine the implications of the upsurge in maritime activity and the challenges presented by the global economic climate.
Capt. Brian Course, Director, Crude Scheduling, Vela International Marine Ltd and Chairman, Nautical Institute
Capt Brian Course is a tanker man through and through. Since 1992 he has worked with Vela International Marine Ltd where he is now the Director of the Crude Scheduling Department. He was elected to the position of Chairman of the UAE Branch of the Nautical Institute in May 2008.
John Ewing, Director, Business Development, Dubai Maritime City
John R. Ewing is the Chief Commercial Officer of Dubai Maritime City. He began his career with Maersk San Francisco in January 1982. 20 years later he joined Dubai World as Commercial Director of Jebel Ali Free Zone.
Fazel Fazelbhoy, Chief Executive Officer, Topaz Energy & Marine Ltd
Fazel A. Fazelbhoy was appointed this April as Chief Executive Officer of Dubai-based Topaz, one of the UAE's largest oil & gas service companies and a part of the Renaissance Group. Since 2002 Fazelbhoy had been heading the group's ship repair business, NICO International.
Robert Houston, President, MidEast Ship Management
Robert Houston’s maritime career stretches back to 1967 and Denholm Ship Management. Nowadays, he is the President of Mideast Ship Management, a position he has occupied since July 2007.
Capt Duncan McKelvie, Managing Director, Quadrant Marine
Capt Duncan McKelvie has been involved in the shipping industry for over 42 years including 23 years at sea, 12 of which were as Master. He is now Managing Director, Quadrant Marine and serves as NYK Line Marine representative with responsibility for the Arabian Gulf and Oman.
Capt Jitendra Misra, Managing Director, Emarat Maritime and General Secretary of UAE Shipowners Association
Capt Jitendra Misra is the Managing Director of Emarat Maritime. His maritime career started as a deck cadet with India Steamship in 1971. He is also a founding member and General Secretary of the UAE ship owners association.
Lazaros Sarris, Country Manager, DNV and Chairman IMarEst UAE
Lazaros Sarris is a 51-year-old Greek national who, following years at sea, has been with Norwegian classification society Det Norske Veritas since 1990. From 2000 onwards he has served as DNV Country Manager for the UAE and from 2006 to 2008 he was also Chairman for IMarEST UAE.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Drydocks World
Geoff Taylor joined Dubai Drydocks in 1984 during the shipyards second year of operation. With the formation of Drydocks World in 2007 Geoff is now Drydocks World Chief Executive Officer.
Dirk Van Den Bosch, Chief Commercial Officer, DP World, UAE Region
Dirk Van Den Bosch is the Chief Commercial Officer at terminal operator DP World covering the UAE region. Prior to DP World he was with Maersk for 20 years culminating in his role as Director of global sales.
"The maritime industry in the Middle East is growing rapidly, not only in the UAE but throughout the region. It is vital that we adhere to international standards and employ industry best practice. By bringing key figures together to form a steering committee for Seatrade Middle East Maritime, the event will ultimately provide a platform for all maritime professionals to network and examine the issues that confront the industry today and the challenges that we will all face in the future,” said Captain Jitendra Misra, General Secretary, UAE Shipowners Association