2012 Winners

Port Operator Award

Above: Rebecca Moore from Containerisation International presenting the award to Francois Delenclos, APM Terminals' Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, with awards host, comedian Miles Jupp

Winner: APM Terminals

The past 12 months have been an exceptional period of progress for APM with new terminals commencing operation in Peru, Georgia, Sweden and Vietnam and new agreements signed for terminals in Costa Rica, Mexico and Turkey. Our judges were impressed by the $3bn infrastructure investments made across the APM Terminals global network during the judging period, which now encompasses interests in 63 port and terminal operations in 37 countries and 155 Inland Services operations in 47 countries. But this was not simply an award of scale. The company's entry cited its commitment to sound growth based upon the highest standards of ethical and sustainable business practices, and our judges praised the company's tangible results when it came to lowering both accident rates and CO2 emissions.

Highly commended: National Container Company

Ship Operator Award

Above: Maria Angelicoussis receives the award from Mr Noboru Ueda, Chairman & President of ClassNK, with Miles Jupp

Winner: Maran Gas Maritime

Since its beginning in 2003, Maran Gas Maritime has quickly established itself as a professional high-quality operator in the LNG sector. From this position, Maran is now undergoing a large fleet expansion with 11 LNG vessels on order, tripling the size of its LNG operations. The panel cited the company's renowned expertise and commitment to deliver the highest standards in the business. The judges were particularly impressed with the company's careful recruitment and in-house training that supported a continuous drive for quality. The fact that Maran has been able to operate its LNG fleet since delivery without any commercial off-hire also caught the judges' attention.

Highly commended: Univan Ship Management

Amver Assisted Rescue at Sea Award - sponsored by

Above: Amver representative Sean P. Jehu Lieutenant, U.S. Coast Guard (left) and Mr Frank Coles, President of Inmarsat Maritime (2nd right) present the award to Captain Vimar Vidanagamage

Winner: The China Navigation Company - MV Kwangtung for search and rescue of Rabaul Queen

The winning crew this year were at the centre of a search and rescue operation that lasted two days and saw 246 passengers saved from the Rabaul Queen ferry sinking in the Solomon Sea. The officers and crew of this general cargo vessel displayed impecable seamanship and courage, rightly winning them much praise in the aftermath of this tragic casualty and the enduring respect of our judging panel.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Above: Tara Fox, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mission to Seafarers presents the award to Capt Bikash Chaudhury, Regional Vice President

Winner: The Shipping Corporation of India

The Shipping Corporation of India has its own CSR strap line: "Transporting goods. Transforming lives". It is an impressive sentiment, but SCI stood out this year as a company that was prepared to offer tangible examples of its commitment to corporate social responsibility and stick to an ambitious series of commitments despite tough economic conditions. By dedicating 1% of net profits to CSR activities SCI has been able to support multiple projects including scholarships, training schemes, hospitals and regional flood protection work. Our judges felt that the company's ongoing commitment to CSR was well deserving of the prize this year.

Highly commended: Maersk Line - Maritime Anti Corruption Network (MACN)

Training Award

Above: Cdre David Squire CBE FNI from The Nautical Institute receives the award from Jayne Erskine, Head of Corporate Services, UKHO

Winner: The Nautical Institute - Alert! Vodcasts

The Nautical Institute's series of free video podcasts to raise awareness amongst maritime students of Human Element issues caught the attention of our judges who viewed the project as a valuable and innovative advance in training. The 'Vodcasts' are designed to be shared via a wide range of social media and networking site and in a closely judged category, this high quality project impressed our panel with its progressive and inventive approach to training.

Highly commended: GAC Group - GAC Corporate Academy (GCA)

South Tyneside College - Electro-technical Officer training

Environment Award

Above: Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) presents the award to Chris Cannon, Director of Environmental Management, Port of Los Angeles

Winner: Port of Los Angeles

Since 2005, the Port of Los Angeles has reduced pollution in and around the Port by up to 75 percent. Through innovative programs, such as the Clean Air Action Plan, and international collaboration, including the World Ports Climate Initiative, the Port is rightly recognized as an environmental leader and role model. Over the past 12 months the port's investment in technology advancement has continued alongside a new Roadmap for moving ahead with zero emission technologies. Our judges described our winner as a port that has taken tough decisions and set the environmental bar high.

Highly commended: Det Norske Veritas

Safety Award

Above: Flemming Dalgaard, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of Europe & Russia for DP World presents the award to Mr Noboru Ueda, Chairman & President of ClassNK

Winner: ClassNK - Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Nickel Ore

Nickel ore has caused the loss of too many vessels and their crews. To help prevent such losses in the future, ClassNK released new standards for ships carrying such cargoes in its new "Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Nickel Ore" for use by ship masters, operators, shipyards and designers. The classification society also developed the world's first standards for certifying specially constructed cargo ships for the carriage of nickle ore. These advances were, in the eyes of our judges, a welcome step forwards in tackling a very real and all too comon problem through thorough research and technical expertise.

Maritime Lawyer of the Year

Above: Mark Windsor, Informa Professional Sales Director (left) presents the award to James Gosling and Richard Neylon

Winner: Holman Fenwick Willan - James Gosling & Richard Neylon

HFW's James Gosling and Richard Neylon have innovated, adapted and implemented the solutions that continue to allow hijacked crews and vessels to be released, avoiding Somali piracy spiralling into catastrophic losses and grid-locking maritime trade in the region. While the dynamic duo of piracy negotiations try to avoid press attention and resolve incidents away from the media spotlight, our judging panel recognised their work in securing the release of over 1,750 seafarers and over $1.5bn of property, a substantial proportion of which was achieved over the last 12 months. Their work was described by our judges as outstanding, crucial and disappointingly necessary.

Innovation Award

Business Innovation

Above: Adam Smallman, Head of Content, Lloyd's List Group presents the award to Ms Angela Lau, Assistant General Manager at Bank of China (Hong Kong)

Winner: Bank of China (Hong Kong) - Multi-currency Shipping Finance

With access to finance the biggest concern for most shipowners right now, Bank of China has provided a rare glimmer of opportunity. Their innovative Remnimbi-US dollar dual-currency ship financing offering is a breakthrough in the traditionally dollar dominated shipping market. Not only has it provided a very necessary alternative source of financing for owners, the structure also serves to promote the internationalization of China's currency and provide help yards and owners minimise the cost of fluctuating Remnimbi exchange rates. It was in the eyes of our judges, a welcome and important innovation in the market.

Highly commended: VesselsValue.com

Innovation Award

Technological Innovation

Above: Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President, Shipping, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company receives the award from Adam Smallman, Head of Content, Lloyd's List Group

Winner: Shell - Prelude FLNG

Shell's Prelude FLNG project is a world first and a technological innovation that unanimously impressed our panel of experts. To describe it as a gas project misses the sheer magnitude of the ambition being employed here. It will produce gas from subsea fields, separate, process, store and offload LNG at sea, creating an entirely new maritime concept to develop offshore gas resources. Technological breakthroughs include a state-of-the art mooring and offloading systems, membrane tank and 'marinisation' of LNG facilities. In the eyes of our judges it is big and it is very clever.

Highly commended: Carrier Transicold - NaturaLINE™ container refrigeration unit

Deal of the Year

Above: Mr Hassan AlMajed Director General at GOP presents the award to Hadley Roe, Counsel at Seward and Kissel

Winner: Seward & Kissel - Eagle Bulk Shipping Restructuring

Seward & Kissel represented Eagle Bulk Shipping in the successful restructuring of its obligations under a Credit Agreement with a syndicate of its lenders. It was a landmark transaction and represents one of the largest out of court restructurings of a shipping company in the latest down cycle in the shipping industry. Our panel of judges were impressed by the efficiency of all involved and how they managed to navigate a fearsomely complex series of problems. The fact that the team secured an agreement without a protracted and costly Chapter 11 proceeding and without squeezing out Eagle's equity stakeholders demonstrated innovation and excellence.

Highly commended: The Export-Import Bank of China

Company of the Year

Above: DNV's Chief Operating Officer, Division Europe and North Africa, Mr Ioannis Kourmatzis presents the award to George Economou, CEO Cardiff Marine and his son Christos

Winner: Cardiff Marine

George Economou's Cardiff Marine Group has become the largest industrial shipping and offshore group in Greece today with a strong presence in dry bulk, tanker offshore and containers. Our judges felt that Cardiff Marine demonstrated an ability to think and act before others and capitalise on the rapidly changing nature of the shipping markets. Through bold strategic moves such as their recent expansion into LNG the company has repeatedly delivered success stories and efficient, profitable shipping operations.

Highly commended: James Fisher and Sons

Seafarer of the Year

Above: Costa Concordia Crew is represented by Ms Shiela Canlas and Ms Janice Aguda, accompanied by Mr Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman of the Board, Costa Crociere receive the award from David Barrow Area Manager, UK, Ireland and SW Europe at Lloyd's Register

Winner: The Crew of the Costa Concordia, nominated by Magsaysay

When the cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a reef off the island of Giglio on January 13, international attention inevitably focused on the actions of the master. But what was largely missed in the media storm that ensued were the genuine examples of bravery and professionalism displayed by members of the crew. There were 4,229 people on board the vessel at the time of the casualty and while the tragic loss of life caused by this regrettable incident will rightly be the subject of forensic investigations for some time to come, it should not be forgotten that without the skilled response of the majority of the crew, the loss of life could have been far higher. Our judges this year concurred with the view of Filipino crewing suppliers Magsaysay who nominated their crew aboard but also wanted to acknowledge the bravery of others, that the actions of the professional and honourable seafarers that night should be publically recognised.

The Next Generation Shipping Award

Above: Lloyd's List's Deputy Editor receives the award from Vidar Pederstad, Director of Nor-Shipping on behalf of Thomas Wilhelmsen

Winner: Thomas Wilhelmsen, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding

"Our vision is 'shaping the maritime industry' and this is much more than just a noble ambition to us," Thomas Wilhelmsen told our judges. Mr Wilhelmsen is the fifth generation head of a shipping dynasty, but determinedly forward looking in his strategy and ready to be judged on his actions, not his family's past successes. Since taking over as chief executive from his father he has sought to make his mark both on the company and in the wider industry with a coherent strategy for profitable growth that has quickly earned him the respect of his peers and the market. Our judges felt that he exemplified everything they were looking for in a next generation shipping industry leader.

Newsmaker of the Year

Above: Rosa Puig, Commercial Director at Port de Barcelona presents the award to Peter Cook, Founder and Security Director of SAMI

Winner: Security Association for the Maritime Industry

Armed guards on ships is a controversial subject and an organisation that puts itself above the parapet is always going to attract attention. Although the escalating risk of piracy has forced armed guards onto everyone's agenda, private maritime security companies are still viewed with suspicion by many owners and regulators. This year's Lloyd's List Newsmaker of the Year has been at the centre of the debate regarding private security standards and the award recognises the importance of getting this complicated problem ironed out once and for all.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Maurice Storey

Above: Richard Meade, Editor of Lloyd's List presents Maurice Storey with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Maurice Storey's rich and varied career in international shipping has seen him move from apprentice at UK shipbuilder Swan Hunter to an international champion for the UK shipping industry.