SPEAKER PROFILES

Director, Middle East, Ricardo Gulf Technical Consultancy LLC

Akin Adamson is the Middle East Director for Ricardo Clean Energy & Environmental Solutions - a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy with offices across the GCC. Ricardo advises public and private sector organisations on Air Quality, Energy, Water, Waste, Sustainability and Mobility strategies, technologies, and operations.

Previously, he was the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory’s (TRL’s) Regional Director for the Middle East. Before that, he held senior Director level roles at Nokia Siemens Networks, Telstra and A.T. Kearney.

He began his research career at London Business School in the energy sector and has lectured at both London Business School and the London School of Economics. He was educated at LSE, LBS and the University of Michigan, USA.

Senior Manager | Marine Personnel, Asyad Shipping

Faisal is the Senior Manager of Marine Personnel at Asyad Shipping Company, where he is responsible for overseeing the management, welfare, and professional development of the company's maritime crew. With over 17 years of experience in the shipping industry, Faisal has significantly contributed to enhancing training programs, optimizing crew management, and integrating innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency.

Faisal holds a degree in Nautical Science from the UK, a diploma in Ship Management from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, and is an alumnus of IMD Business School. His professional journey spans 11 years as a Naval Officer, followed by 6 years in the Oil & Gas exploration industry, before transitioning to the shipping sector, where he has made a substantial impact at Asyad Shipping.

With a passion for safety, efficiency, and crew development, Faisal continues to drive initiatives that support the sustainable growth of the maritime industry, particularly through the development of Omani talent in the sector.

Bunker Trader, O Bunkering

EP Project Maturation Manager, OQ

Business Development Manager, Hormuz Marine

Vice President Marine, Asyad Shipping

Khalil is the Vice President Marine in Asyad Shipping Company. Khalil is responsible for the safe operation of the company’s ships including safety & quality, manning and training aspects. Additionally, Khalil is responsible for implementing all the compliance and regulatory requirement in the industry. Khalil is also in charge of sustainability in Asyad Shipping.  Khalil has more than 25 years’ experience in the maritime logistics industry.

Khalil started as Naval Officer in the Royal Navy of Oman, then joined the merchant navy sailing worldwide on tankers. Then came ashore and was involved in ships operations and management, consultancy in maritime administration, involvement in IMO and a member of the Examination Board for maritime studies in the government.

Khalil holds a master’s degree in strategic studies for Defense and National Secury from Oman, BSc in Nautical Studies from Oman, Post Graduate Diploma (Shipping and Logistics) from Middlesex University, London and is a graduate in Nautical Science Southampton University, UK. Khalil Also completed the National Defense Course in Oman, National CEO Program in IMD. Khalil also holds the Certificate of Competency as Ship Master. 

Chief Business Support Officer,  Port of Duqm Company SAOC

Hashim Taher Al Ibrahim, Chief Business Support Officer at the Port of Duqm, holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Miami, Florida, United States of America. With over 30 years of experience, Hashim brings a wealth of knowledge in engineering, management, human resources, and strategic planning. He served as a Member of the Municipal Council at Dhofar Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, Hashim served as the Director General of Technical Affairs at Dhofar Municipality from March 2003 to April 2012 and was a member of the Advisory Board at Dhofar University from 2009 to 2012. His skills extend to excellent communication with government officials and navigating the business environment, along with a profound understanding of market needs and effective strategies.

Acting VP-Commercial, Asyad Ports

Al Khattab Al Maani is a strategic leader and industry expert with over 19 years of experience driving commercial strategy, business growth, and large-scale transformation in the logistics and trade sectors. Currently leading commercial strategy and growth at Asyad Ports & Freezones, he is focused on enhancing market positioning, developing innovative pricing models, and driving business expansion to strengthen Oman’s role as a strategic player in global trade.

Al Khattab brings extensive international experience in ports and container terminals, including his time with APM Terminals, where he led complex commercial initiatives and contributed to market growth. His global influence is further demonstrated through his work with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UNCTAD in Geneva, where he engaged in high-level trade policy discussions and helped shape global market strategies. He also played a key role in supporting the execution of Oman’s Logistics Strategy 2040 through his leadership in the Oman Logistics Center, contributing to strategic initiatives that strengthened Oman’s position in global trade.

Known for his strategic foresight, commercial expertise, and results-driven leadership, Al Khattab combines deep industry knowledge with a global perspective, positioning him as a transformative and influential figure in international trade and logistics.

Bunker Trader & Physical Supplier, Oman Oil Marketing Company

Assets Management Lead, SOHAR Port and Freezone

Sufyan Al Mamari currently serves as a Senior Asset Management Engineer at SOHAR Port and Freezone where he has led the growth of AI Application Development, combining his experience in logistics infrastructure and technology.

A Civil Engineering graduate of Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, he has 12 years of professional experience within transportation infrastructure, including marine, airport and road networks. He specialises in integrating new and emerging technology into existing operations applying drones and artificial intelligence to the main logistic infrastructures.

Sufyan has acquired a broad base of experience in digital asset management during his career with roles in education, logistics, oil and gas, and aviation. He joined SOHAR in 2012 as Maintenance Engineer and has been in his current role for nearly six years.

He is certified by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Port Engineering, as well as a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute and a qualified NACE Coating Inspector Program level 2 (CIP2).

Sufyan is also a PADI certified Search/Recovery diver, Rescue Diver and Underwater Photographer.

Vice-President – Sustainability, Asyad Group

Essam Al Sheibany is the Vice President of Sustainability at Asyad Group, Oman’s flagship logistics and supply chain group, offering end-to-end solutions from ports, free zones, maritime shipping, and last-mile express delivery. As a Sustainability VP, Essam plays a key role in building and maintaining all the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities within the group to position Asyad among the top 10 integrated logistics companies in the world; Essam is also driving the Decarbonization initiatives and facilitate the Green Hydrogen projects initiatives within the group, previously he was Group VP for QHSSE where he was taking care of health and safety of employees, contractors, and costumers, and protect the environment and recently the scope of Sustainability Development initiatives within the Group was added to his role.

Al Sheibany was a member of several local and international bodies and executive committees looking into Sustainability and ESG-related topics. Essam led the implementation of several operational projects in Oman and internationally. As an engineer, Energy Expert, Climate Change activist, ESG champion and green business developer he has more than 30 years of experience in Oil and Gas, Project Management, HSE and many areas mainly centred on Operational Excellence.

He has a BSc in Engineering Management from Oman and 2 master’s degrees from UK in Operations Management and Advanced Process Engineering.

CEO, Asyad Ports and Free Zones 

Omar ben Mahmood Al Mahrizi is a dynamic and enthusiastic C-level professional with over 20 years of experience in leading enterprises across various sectors. With a particular focus on financial performance, complex business and technology change projects, and large-scale mergers, Omar brings a solid foundation in multiple business disciplines.

Having held senior positions in different industries, Omar has gained invaluable insights and expertise across diverse sectors. His experience spans industries such as logistics, insurance, petrochemicals, and education, which has equipped him with a unique perspective on business operations and strategies.

His extensive leadership experience is complemented by expertise in financial management, governance, and delivery-focused program and project management. Omar has a proven track record in successfully navigating large-scale mergers and new setups while driving strategic growth initiatives.

Omar currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Asyad Ports and Freezones playing a vital role in driving the growth and development of these key entities. In addition, he serves as the Chairman of Mwaslat and as a board member of Nama Holding in Oman, further showcasing his commitment to contributing to the growth and success of Oman's business landscape.

Prior to his current roles, Omar served as the Chief Corporate Development at ASYAD, driving long-term strategic initiatives and ensuring sustainable growth for the organization. He has also held leadership positions in organizations such as ALAHLIA Insurance, Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company (ORPC), and Majan University College.

With a strong academic background, Omar holds a Graduate Certificate in International Management from the University of Melbourne, a Postgraduate Diploma in Database Systems from the University of Westminster, and a BSc Honours in Computer and Information Systems from the University of Manchester.

Deputy Vice-President, Aviation & Marine Fuels, TotalEnergies

Stéphane Basset-Chercot serves as Deputy Vice-President of TotalEnergies’ Aviation & Marine Fuels Division, where he oversees TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, the Company's dedicated business responsible for global bunkering operations. Additionally, Stéphane supports the coordination of various initiatives within this newly established division, contributing to the energy transition efforts in the aviation and maritime sectors.

With over 25 years of experience at TotalEnergies, Stéphane has held several key leadership roles across various branches of the company. Most recently, he served as Director of Marketing and Sales for TotalEnergies Aviation, where he managed international commercial teams with operations in over 70 countries and played a critical role in advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives through strategic partnerships with OEMs and major airlines.

Stéphane’s extensive experience spans Strategy and M&A activities, Business Development, and business unit leadership. As Vice President of Corporate Strategy and New Venture Project Director within the Exploration and Production Branch, he led key strategic initiatives and transformative projects. He further demonstrated his expertise in Business Development while leading TotalEnergies Marketing & Services in Continental Europe. In addition, Stéphane honed his business unit management and leadership abilities through roles such as Managing Director of TotalEnergies Nordic and his pivotal management role in Aviation Fuels.

Harbour Master, SOHAR Port and Freezone

Batti joined SOHAR in 2004, just when the port began its operations. With 20+ years experience in the nautical and maritime industry, he specializes in navigation, seamanship, maritime communication, maritime safety, port operation, ship construction, cargo handling, meteorology, ship handling and manoeuvring, marine law and marine environmental law, logistics and supply chain.
 
In 2014, Batti was appointed as Harbour Master, for the marine department, and as member of SOHAR management team.

Manager of Global Sustainability American Bureau of Shipping 

Dr. Ibrahim Behairy is the Manager of Global Sustainability at ABS Based in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Behairy is a distinguished Marine Engineer with over 35 years of experience in the industry, during which he has received numerous awards and accolades. Prior to ABS, Dr. Behairy was the Managing Director for the Middle East at WinGD He began his career as a Marine Engineer and later joined Wartsila, where he spent over 8 years at their headquarters in Switzerland before relocating to their office in the U.A.E. He has been residing in the U.A.E. for over 10 years. Dr. Behairy is widely respected for his significant contributions to the Marine Industry, as well as his impact on the U.A.E. and the entire GCC region.

General Manager, Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd 
She joined the company in 2017 and, in her previous role as Fleet Manager, she played a key role in the development of the company’s operations and fleet expansion strategies.
With a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master in Business Administration, Silvia brings a strong academic foundation to her leadership. Her career began over 19 years ago in the field of Supply Chain, where she built extensive expertise that continues to inform her strategic approach in the bunkering sector.

Senior Project Manager - renewable energy, HaskoningDHV Nederland B.V., a company of Royal HaskoningDHV

Peter Bos fills the role of Leading professional Maritime solutions for renewable energy within Royal Haskoning DHV, supporting our global clients to materialize their energy transition ambitions. He brings almost 25 years of professional experience from employments with Oil & Gas Companies, Civil Contractors and Engineering Consultants in civil/ marine and energy projects. Peter supports the development of a wide range of international, professional standards and guidelines including OCIMF MEG4, PIANC 153 and ISO Hydrogen MLA’s and EN Methanol bunkering.

Global Head of Bunkering, TFG Marine

Kenneth Dam joined Trafigura’s fuel oil team in 2017 and in May 2019 became Co-Head of its newly formed bunkering team. In 2020, Kenneth was appointed Global Head of Bunkering for TFG Marine, a joint venture created between Trafigura and ship owning companies Frontline and Golden Ocean to supply quality marine fuels to ship owners at global strategic bunkering hubs.

Before joining Trafigura, from 2011 to 2016, Kenneth worked for Monjasa and played a key role in developing its West Africa bunkering operations. Before entering the marine fuel supply and shipping industry, Kenneth was a financial advisor for leading Danish financial services company Nykredit.

TFG Marine is a leading international marine fuel supply and procurement joint venture between physical commodity trading company Trafigura Group Pte and ship owning companies Frontline Ltd and Golden Ocean Group Ltd. Formed in 2020, the company provides modern, simplified and transparent services that bridge every stage of the bunkering process for its customers, supplying over 10 million metric tonnes of marine fuels per annum across 35 strategic bunkering hub locations globally.

General Manager, GTT Middle East LLC

Amine began his career in the nuclear industry with AREVA in 2011. He later spent four years in the Natural Gas and LNG sector at GAZPROM Marketing & Trading as a Key Account Manager.

In 2019, Amine joined GTT as a Business Development Manager, overseeing European countries and India. In December 2023, he was appointed General Manager of GTT Middle East. He subsequently established GTT's new regional office in Doha in February 2024, where he is responsible for expanding LNG carrier, onshore storage, and LNG as fuel commercial activities.

Amine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from La Trobe University (Australia) and a Master of Science in Management from NEOMA Business School (France).

Chief Executive Officer, SOHAR Port

Emile Hoogsteden is an entrepreneurial executive with experience of over thirty years in developing global business partnerships in commercial shipping, ports, and the logistics industry. He will lead SOHAR Port into the next stage of expansion, robust business growth and energy transition towards becoming a fully integrated industrial port and logistics hub.

Results-driven with a focus on global trading and shipping lanes, the industry veteran will aim to accomplish SOHAR Port and Freezone’s potential as an engine for economic diversification, sustainability, and investment to meet Oman’s development goals. He boasts a strong track-record in the Senior Management Teams at P&O Nedlloyd B.V, APM Terminals International B.V and most recently the Port of Rotterdam where he was Vice President Commercial.

In conjunction with a commercially orientated mindset, as well as experience in dealing with international governmental authorities, Emile also possesses considerable expertise in defining and executing Commercial Digitalization strategies. During his career, Emile has been i.a. Member of the Board of the Sohar Industrial Port Company, Sohar International Development Company, Rotterdam Port Promotion Council, International Logistics Promotion Council, Greenport Venlo and Blocklab (Rotterdam Blockchain Fieldlab).

Emile holds a Master’s degree of Corporate Law from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and a host of diplomas in management and leadership. 

Partner, Watson, Farley & Williams (Middle East) LLP

Natalie is a Partner in our shipping and marine insurance teams in Dubai. She handles some of the most complex and high value maritime disputes in the UAE.

Natalie advises a broad range of clients including traders, shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, P&I clubs and insurers in connection with disputes arising out of charterparties, bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, and other contracts of carriage, as well as disputes arising out of collisions and allisions. She also has a particular interest in bunker disputes and has developed a reputation as an expert in this area in the UAE.

Natalie has in-depth experience of representing her clients in the English High Court, UAE Courts and DIFC and London and UAE maritime arbitration centres.

In addition, Natalie also advises clients on non-contentious commercial matters relating to matters in the maritime, international transport and trade and energy sectors.

Quality Manager, Metcore International Pte Ltd

Daryl is the Quality Manager at Metcore International Pte Ltd, a specialist in bunker mass flow metering (MFM) systems. With over two decades of experience in legal metrology, he led the team in attaining ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation, enabling Metcore to serve as a certification body for MFM systems in bunkering.

Daryl oversees conformity assessment operations and plays a key role in standards development for the oil and gas sectors, contributing metrology expertise to the development of SS 648 and ISO 22192

Managing Director, Marine and Energy Consulting Limited

Robin Meech is Managing Director of Marine and Energy Consulting, an independent consultancy established in 2001 focusing on the marine industry with an emphasis on the transport of energy. He has a particular interest in the bunker sector. He advises companies on environmental issues, forming alliances, purchasing strategies, organisation, new business ventures, credit insurance, logistics, IT systems and e-business. He has undertaken a number of assignments for the Major oil companies, suppliers, purchases and service organisations related to marine fuels as well as for the national oil companies, the EU and IMO. After two decades of pursuing lower sulphur emissions from shipping he is now immersed in the de-carbonisation the marine sector. He has been a director of an independent tanker company where his responsibilities included managing the purchasing of bunkers.  He is co-author of the book “Bunkers – An analysis of the Technical and Environmental Issues”. He is a past chairman of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).

Managing Director, Middle East, Facts Global Energy

Dr Iman Nasseri, Managing Director - Middle East, is based in Dubai. He received his PhD in Economics in the United States, focusing on energy economics, in 2013.

In FGE, he is primarily focused on downstream oil and NGLs. Iman is responsible for Middle East oil research; he also works closely with the refining team and has been involved with FGE’s Annual World Refining Outlook since 2014.

Since Jan 2018, as MD of Middle East, Iman has been in charge of the FGE analysis and coverage of the Middle East for oil, NGLs, and power.

Iman holds a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Iran, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He previously worked for Iran’s Institute for International Energy Studies (IIES), the research arm of the Ministry of Petroleum.

Before relocating to FGE-London in 2014 as a full-time consultant, Iman joined FGE's Hawaii office in 2009 on a part time basis, where he was involved with several refining and gas-related projects.

Managing Director, Metcore International Pte Ltd

Darrick is the founder and Managing Director of Metcore International Pte Ltd, a leading conformity assessment body in the marine bunkering, with over a decade of industry leadership.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience in supply chain, technical and operational areas at a major international oil and gas company, Darrick played a crucial role in pioneering the introduction of mass flow metering (MFM) systems to Singapore’ bunkering industry, which became mandatory in 2017.

Darrick served on the Singapore Technical Committee for Bunkering and contributed to the development of Singapore’s Standard for Mass Flow Metering Systems (SS648:2019). He is currently the convenor for the upcoming SS648:2024 edition.

Actively involved in the industry, he participates in the SSA Marine Fuels and Energy Committee, InterTanko’s Bunker Sub-Committee and IBIA’s bunker licensing & MFM workgroup.

Department of Maritime, National University of Science & Technology, International Maritime College Oman

More than 10 years as a marine engineer, with experience on VLCCs and oil carriers. Over 5 years as a marine lecturer and researcher focused on the sustainable blue economy, smart solutions, and innovations.

Lecturer at the International Maritime College of Oman, focusing on sustainable practices and advanced maritime technologies.

Member of the Global Maritime Professionals (GMP) updating committee.

PhD candidate in Marine and Offshore Engineering, Alexandria University. (Towards Enhancing Autonomous Power Management in Hybrid Diesel-Solar System)

MSc and BSc in Marine Engineering from AASTMT.
Key Projects: Designing drone-based emission monitoring systems and harnessing solar energy for sustainable maritime applications.

Contributor to notable maritime journals and conferences, including IAMU.

Recognized for academic excellence and contributions to maritime education and research.

Vice President - Sustainability, SOHAR PORT AND FREEZONE

Dr. Abdullah Sulaiman Al-Abri is the Vice President for Sustainability at SOHAR Port and Freezone, leading the organization’s sustainability initiatives since May 2024. With a distinguished background as an international consultant in energy, technology, and investment, he has represented Oman at the IEA and OECD, playing a key role in advancing the country’s hydrogen economy and energy transition strategies. At SOHAR, Dr. Abdullah is focused on developing international trade corridors for new energies and clean hydrogen, leveraging his strategic insight and extensive professional network.

Dr. Abdullah holds a Ph.D. in Reservoir Engineering from Curtin University of Technology and has held pivotal roles, including Energy Renewal Director at PDO and Consultant at the IEA. Passionate about mentoring and continuous learning, he is committed to influencing energy trade and policy dialogues while driving sustainable development at SOHAR Port and Freezone.

CCO, Salalah Port

Ahmed Aubad Qatan brings over 25 years of diverse experience across academia, oil and gas, and logistics. He joined the Port of Salalah in 2016 as General Manager for Projects Development and Implementation, and in 2018, his role expanded to include Asset Maintenance. By 2020, Ahmed advanced to the Executive Management Team as Head of Projects and Strategy Development, where he played a crucial role in the port expansion project and participated in negotiations with the Government of Oman on the concession agreement. He and his team are also pioneering the port’s Decarbonization strategy. Currently serving as Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmed is dedicated to enhancing the Port of Salalah's commitment to delivering world-class service and achieving its vision for sustainable prosperity.

Vice President – Commercial, SOHAR Port and Freezone

Dimitri van Eekelen is the VP Commercial at SOHAR Port and Freezone, a fast-growing port in Oman. He holds a master's degree in Economics and Business from the prestigious Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Post-graduation, Dimitri embarked on a career with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) in Rotterdam, where he held various managerial roles in trade management and sales.

In 2015, his journey led him to the Port of Rotterdam, where he was entrusted with the development of the container segment. A little over five years ago, Dimitri transitioned to SOHAR Port and Freezone, bringing his extensive expertise to aid in the expansion and development of the port area. His rich background in maritime logistics and trade management, coupled with a forward-thinking approach, has been instrumental in fostering robust partnerships and driving innovative strategies. Dimitri's commitment to excellence and sustainable practices continues to play a pivotal role in propelling SOHAR Port and Freezone towards achieving its long-term goals and contributing significantly to the global maritime and logistics ecosystem.