Abu Dhabi, UAE - 18 June, 2025 - AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, has won eight prestigious awards at the Harvard Business Council (HBC) 2025 AI & Innovation Convention & International Awards Ceremony. This esteemed event took place at the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA) in London, an institution renowned for its dedication to social progress and innovation since 1754.
These accolades are a testament to AD Ports Group's extraordinary resilience and visionary leadership, solidifying its position at the forefront of the trade and logistics industry.
Eiman Al Khalaqi, Senior Vice President of Innovation, AD Ports Group, said: “We are delighted that the Harvard Business Council has recognised AD Ports Group’s significant achievements throughout 2025. This acknowledgment is a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to enhancing our services and pushing the boundaries of excellence, driving our Group towards new heights of global leadership and innovation.”
The awards celebrated exceptional achievements in AI integration, sustainability, and innovation across global sectors.
Achievements of AD Ports Group at HBC 2025:
1. Corporate Responsibility Award
Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, Diamond Winner, has set a gold standard for responsible leadership by aligning their strategy with global sustainability goals and launching impactful initiatives that have touched over one million lives. With strong executive commitment, innovative tools, and a deep focus on people, planet, and prosperity, they have shown how business can be a force for good.
2. Innovation Award
AD Ports Group, Gold Winner, has empowered employees through their IBTIKAR platform to contribute over 18,000 ideas, with more than 50% implemented. This platform has delivered measurable impact in sustainability, digital transformation, and customer value. Their innovation model has been validated by eight consecutive Platinum accreditations, ISO 56002 certification, and a Level 4 Global Innovation Maturity certification from the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI).
3. Business Sustainability Award
Noatum Maritime – AD Ports Group, Gold Winner, has set a new global benchmark in green maritime innovation by launching the region’s first all-electric pilot boat and the world’s most powerful electric tug. They are leading the way toward a net-zero future with cutting-edge sustainability practices, circular waste management, and a strong commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
4. Business Partnerships Award
Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, Gold Winner, has redefined global partnership excellence, driving over AED 5 billion into the UAE’s GDP. They have forged alliances across four continents and powered the region’s most advanced, sustainable port network. Their collaborations, including strategic deals in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Pakistan, are shaping the future of trade and connectivity.
5. Innovative Idea Award
SAFEEN Subsea – AD Ports Group, Gold Winner, has developed SAFEEN Green, the region’s first fully autonomous, Unmanned Surface Vessel. This innovation has set a new industry benchmark in efficiency, safety, and sustainability, achieving over 40% cost savings and zero offshore personnel, with a proven track record on high-impact survey projects.
6. Executives Award
Eiman Al Khalaqi, Senior Vice President of Innovation, Gold Winner, has championed a culture of innovation at group scale, leading strategic innovation platforms, achieved global certifications, and fostered enterprise-wide engagement that positioned the Group as a regional benchmark in innovation maturity, sustainability impact, and continuous digital evolution.
7. Professional Award
Ashraf Yaseen, Senior Manager of Business Excellence, Gold Winner, has pioneered excellence frameworks, advanced award innovation, and integrated sustainability into core practices. His initiatives have enabled impactful collaboration and digital transformation, generating strategic value across AD Ports Group and wider maritime sector,while reinforcing its position as a regional leader in business excellence and maritime innovation.
8. Professional Award
Jeffrey Casianan, Executive – HSE, Gold Winner, has significantly enhanced safety performance and operational excellence within the Ports Cluster. Through his active contribution to HSE and CSR initiatives, he helped implement impactful programs that improved outcomes on the ground, driven financial savings, and supported the cluster’s position as a leader in responsible port operations.
This year’s HBC convention and awards ceremony marked a milestone with the global launch of the Intelligent Sustainable Excellence (ISE) Model, alongside the recognition of 63 winners across 30 categories — selected from 4,172 applications and more than 5,500 assessment hours.
The Harvard Business Council International Awards is the global standard for total quality management and continuous improvement. This platform offers organisations from around the world the opportunity to tell their success stories of achieving organisational excellence, adopting best practices, and providing services that meet stakeholders’ expectations.
For media information, please contact:
AD Ports Group Media Office
Email: media@adports.ae
About AD Ports Group:
Established in 2006, AD Ports Group today serves as a globalenabler of trade, logistics, and industry, as well as a bridge linking Abu Dhabi to the world. Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: ADPORTS), AD Ports Group’s vertically integrated business approach has proven instrumental in driving the Emirate’s economic development over the past decade.
Operating five business clusters covering Ports, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Maritime & Shipping, Logistics, and Digital, AD Ports Group’s portfolio comprises 34 terminals, with a presence in over 50 countries, and more than 550 square kilometres of economic zones within KEZAD Group, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping in the Middle East.
AD Ports Group is rated “AA-” Outlook stable by Fitch, and “A1” outlook stable by Moody’s.
For more information, please visit: www.adportsgroup.com
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Media Contact
Company Name: Harvard Business Council
Contact Person: HBC International Awards Foundation
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://hbcworld.org/cases
