Lloyd's List Awards, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent 2012

Download your Guide to Enter:

Now open for entries

The region comprising the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent has become a central arena of shipping's future.

The Gulf economies have shown surprising resilience to adversity and have fared well in terms of growth and development in the shipping industry.

During the 2009 slump, the developed world fell into negative numbers, including -4.2% GDP growth in the European Union and -3.5% GDP growth in the US, but Middle East and North Africa posted GDP growth of 2.6%.

The growth is fuelled by the development of new trade routes generally, especially along the so-called southern Silk Road, which refers to the trade route between north and Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Africa. Trade between these regions has held up and even expanded during the volatile years since 2008, and more rapidly than volumes between Asia and traditional trade partners Europe and North America.

This has continued through the remarkable period that began in 2011 as the winds of political change roared through the region, and despite the attendant political risks. Middle Eastern shipping companies have been quietly building their strength, leading the world in lucrative areas such as liquefied natural gas shipping and servicing the offshore sector. Middle Eastern terminal operators are setting new standards of efficiency that have helped support their growth.

India's trade relations with the Middle East, traditionally strong, are growing. Indian shipping companies have forged new ties in energy shipping between the two regions. India also excels in its contribution to the most crucial element of the world fleet – officers and ratings – a product of the nation’s increasingly sophisticated maritime academies. With expected port development in India around the corner, the shipping sector in India has a bright and lucrative future ahead of it.

This buoyant aspect of Middle Eastern and Indian shipping makes the 2012 awards by Lloyd's List especially important. The region is undergoing economic change for the better, and the shipping and port sector are major contributors to that growth. Lloyd's List is proud to run an annual awards competition that spots and praises the best performers in key areas of shipping, port operations, as well as shipping services. These companies traditionally set the benchmark for best practice in the years to come.

We urge you and your firm to vie for the top prize in the category that best applies to you. Recognising the best is more than annual ritual. It celebrates real endeavour, courage and innovation, and helps set higher standards for regional and global shipping.

For events queries contact:

Anke Müller
Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 5710
Email: anke.muller@informa.com