Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards 2026
Returning for its fourth edition, this year’s awards celebrate marina excellence in 14 categories - honouring marinas, projects and individuals driving progress across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region maritime sector.
Taking the spotlight at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show this November, we look forward to an even more dynamic 2026 edition. Are you ready to set sail?
Key Dates
Submissions
Closing on 31 July
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Voting
Cast your vote for the
Most Popular Marina Recognition!
Public voting opens in October 2026
Ceremony
November 2026
Abu Dhabi International Boat Show
THE Abu Dhabi MARITIME AWARDS
As the custodian of all Abu Dhabi waterways, Abu Dhabi Maritime continues to steer a vibrant maritime ecosystem anchored in safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. Under AD Ports Group, and in close collaboration with our government partner, the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), we remain committed to elevating the emirate’s status as a global maritime capital and leader.
Since its inauguration at the Abu Dhabi International Boat show in 2023, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards continues to thrive. After two successful editions that recognised exceptional marina leadership, innovation, sustainability, health & safety, and operational mastery across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT), the third edition in 2025 marked a defining evolution.
The programme expanded to honour breakthrough projects and sustainability-driven initiatives, while also shining a spotlight on the sector’s most influential leaders and emerging experts. With this momentum, we now set our sights on an even more dynamic 2026 edition.
Building on the progress of previous three editions – and the expanded framework introduced in 2025 – the 2026 Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards will continue to celebrate the region’s outstanding marinas, visionary projects, and inspiring individuals shaping the sector’s future.
Get ready for a remarkable celebration in November 2026 – where the region’s most innovative, future-focused, and resilient marinas will take the centre stage and showcase the very best of the regional industry.
MOST POPULAR MARINA
Distinct from the awards categories, the “Most Popular Marina Recognition” is determined entirely by public vote through a tamper-resistant online platform opening later this year. To participate, voters must complete security measures to prevent interference by bots and artificial intelligence programmes. Only verified votes will be counted. Rally your community to claim this exciting title!
Organisation Categories
The six award categories are as follows:
Outstanding Marina Award
Participating in the “Outstanding Marina Award” automatically qualifies entrants for consideration in all other award categories. This involves promoting continuous improvement through new ideas and technology to enhance operations and customer experiences, ensuring exceptional customer interactions by understanding needs, and encouraging loyalty through feedback. Applicants must also demonstrate sustainability by integrating environmental responsibility into their strategies, ensure well-being by promoting a strong safety culture, and cultivate exceptional workplaces through a positive ethos and staff development.Health & Safety Award
Prioritising the well-being of employees, contractors and visitors is underpinned by a strong health and safety culture, proactive risk management systems and a demonstrably good safety record – all hallmarks of a successful organisation.Employer Excellence Award
Providing exceptional workplaces that motivate and empower employees to reach their full potential involves fostering a positive culture, investing in talent development, and achieving solid employee-related outcomes.Sustainability Award
Commitment to sustainability involves integrating environmental responsibility into the marina’s core strategy. This includes implementing innovative programs to reduce its ecological footprint and achieve tangible results for a healthier planet.Innovation Award
Fostering a culture of continuous improvement entails embracing innovation-driven approaches, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and achieving results that enhance operations, customer experiences, or environmental impact.Customer Experience Award
Delivering an exceptional customer experience with a deep understanding of customer needs, seamless interactions across channels, and the intelligent use of technology. This entails considering customer feedback, driving continuous improvement, and fostering loyalty and advocacy.Outstanding Emerging Marina Award
The “Outstanding Emerging Marina Award” has the same criteria as the Outstanding Marina award but is limited to marinas with 200 or fewer berths. This accolade is the awards programme’s second top honour.
Organisation CATEGORIES
The six award categories are as follows
Outstanding Marina Award
Outstanding Marina Award
Outstanding Emerging Marina Award
Outstanding Emerging Marina Award
Innovation Award
Innovation Award
Employer Excellence Award
Employer Excellence Award
Customer Experience Award
Customer Experience Award
Sustainability Award
Sustainability Award Commitment to sustainability involves integrating environmental responsibility into the marina’s core strategy. This includes implementing innovative programs to reduce its ecological footprint and achieve tangible results for a healthier planet.
Health & Safety Award
Health & Safety Award PROJECT CATEGORIES
Three project-based categories reward the most impactful marina “Sustainability Project,” “Innovation Project,” and “Wellbeing Project.” These awards give marinas a chance to showcase a single standout programme or initiative. These categories are designed to recognise targeted efforts with demonstrated success, rather than organisation-wide approaches.
Innovation Project Award
Sustainability Project Award
Wellbeing Project Award
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
The three individual categories will celebrate the people making a difference in the regional marina industry. With the “Leader Award,” “Frontline Service Hero Award,” and “Rising Star Award,” the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards wish to acknowledge the managers and workers who inspire their colleagues, customers, and communities.
Outstanding Service Hero Award
Outstanding Leader Award
Rising Star Award
FAQs
Entry Rules and Requirements
Does the submitter require permission to submit an entry on behalf of the marina?
Yes. Submissions on behalf of the marina by individual(s) require permission from the person(s) in charge and legally responsible.
Who can apply for the individual categories?
A submission to one of the Awards’ individual-based categories (Outstanding Service Hero Award, Outstanding Leader Award, Rising Star Award) must either come from marina management or have the explicit endorsement of marina management. Individuals who self-nominate should demonstrate management endorsement and include evidence from their direct manager to support their submission.
Is it possible for a marina to apply to more than one Abu Dhabi Maritime Award?
Yes. Marinas may apply to multiple Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards. “Outstanding Marina Award” and “Outstanding Emerging Marina Award” applicants are automatically entered into the organisation-based sub-categories (Customer Service, Employer Excellence, Health & Safety, Innovation, and Sustainability).
How many awards can one marina win?
Marinas can win any of the organisation, project, or individual-based awards. However, to ensure equitable opportunity for all participants, winners of the top two awards (Outstanding Marina Award and Outstanding Emerging Marina Award) will be excluded from wins in any of the organisation-based sub-categories. Their projects and employees will still be eligible for the project and individual-based award categories.
How is the Most Popular Marina Recognition determined?
The “Most Popular Marina Recognition” is determined through a vote-based system and does not require any submission documents.
Would a newly established marina with only one year of operation be eligible to submit to the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards?
A new marina is eligible to enter organisation-based categories if it has been operating or conducting live projects for at least 12 months. Marinas that have been operating for fewer than 12 months may apply to the project-based categories (Innovation Project Award, Sustainability Project Award, Wellbeing Project Award).
Who can apply for the Outstanding Emerging Marina Award?
For a second-consecutive year, the “Outstanding Emerging Marina Award” gives smaller marinas a dedicated opportunity to earn recognition and stand out from larger enterprises. Limited to marinas with 200 or fewer berths, this award is designed to highlight smaller operations whose innovations or exceptional performance merit industry attention. This accolade has the same criteria as the existing “Outstanding Marina Award.” Berth quantity is the only additional eligibility factor.
What is the different between the organisation-based and project-based categories?
The organisation-based categories are bigger picture, encompassing the entire marina system. To win an organisation-based award, a marina must demonstrate an extensive commitment to the award theme, with multiple examples of how the marina supports sustainability, innovation, employees, health and safety, and/or an exceptional customer experience. The project-based awards are more focused in scope. They reward individual projects or programmes that have had a measurable positive impact. For example, a marina may apply for the organisation-based “Innovation Award” if it can demonstrate an overall commitment to innovation with several examples of innovative approaches to operations or management. The marina may also apply to the “Innovation Project Award” if it believes one of its innovative initiatives deserves particular recognition. More specific breakdowns are below.
What is the difference between the Sustainability Award in the organisation-based categories and the Sustainability Project Award in the project-based categories?
The “Sustainability Award” recognises marinas that have integrated environmental responsibility into their core strategy, with several examples of how sustainability considerations have influenced decision-making or operations. The “Sustainability Project Award” recognises a single project that has had a measurable positive impact on the environment or community.
What is the difference between the organisation-based Innovation Award and the Innovation Project Award?
To win the organisation-based “Innovation Award,” a marina must demonstrate continuous improvement, embracing innovation-driven approaches, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and achieving results that enhance operations, customer experiences, or environmental impact. The “Innovation Project Award” rewards a single inventive project or programme that has improved one aspect of marina business or operations.
What is the difference between the organisation-based Employer Excellence Award and the Wellbeing Project Award?
The organisation-based “Employer Excellence Award” goes to the marina that provides an exceptional workplace that motivates and empowers employees while supporting their skill or career development. The “Wellbeing Project Award” recognises an individual project or programme that meaningfully invests in employee happiness, health, or development.
What is the difference between the Outstanding Service Hero Award & Rising Star Award?
The “Rising Star Award” goes to the up-and-coming marina employee whose talent, ideas, and enthusiasm have positioned them for a successful and impactful career in the regional marina industry. The “Outstanding Service Hero Award” is for a customer-facing employee whose unwavering dedication to their work has impressed their colleagues and elevated the marina’s overall customer experience.
Assessment Process & Methodology
What are the entry assessment and judging processes?
The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards submissions assessment process is twofold. First, a qualified team of assessors will thoroughly review the submissions and assign a score based on the criteria specific to each award category. Next, assessors will present the results of their analysis to the members of the Awards jury panel, who will determine winners. Assessors’ scores will assist members of the jury in their deliberations but will not be the only factor they consider as they choose award winners. The jury will conduct a careful, qualitative evaluation of the submissions in each category before finalising the winners list.
How do entry assessors determine entry scores?
Assessors assign a numerical score for every criterion in each award category. The sum of these scores determines an entry’s performance in its category. These final category scores fall on a tiered scale between 0 and 100:
- 80 – 100: Beacon (Outstanding/Exemplar)
- 60 – 80: Navigator (Excellent)
- 40 – 60: Sailing (Competent)
- 20 – 40: Ascendant (Emerging)
- 0 – 20: Harbour (Foundational)
How many winners will there be in each category?
There is a gold award and a silver award in each award category. Marinas who achieve a score of “Sailing” or above in the assessment processes will receive a certificate indicating their tier.
How does the Most Popular Marina Recognition work?
Marinas participating in the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards are eligible for an additional recognition, “Most Popular Marina Recognition,”
determined entirely by public vote. Members of the public will be invited to cast their vote through a tamper-resistant online system. Voters must complete security measures to prevent interference by bots and artificial intelligence programmes. Only verified votes will be counted. The Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards encourage marinas to rally their fans to participate in the vote. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show on 23 November 2026.
VENUE DETAILS
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre ADNEC Group
Khaleej Al Arabi Street P.O. Box 5546
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact us
Email: Contact@maritime-awards.com
Phone: +971 56 990 1429