WAM Abu Dhabi — In recognition of its commitment to protecting the environment in which it operates, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has won an Environmental Protection Award at the prestigious International Bulk Journal Awards 2011, held last week in Antwerp, Belgium.
ADPC was commended for its investment in the construction of a US$240 million Environmental Breakwater that surrounds its flagship Khalifa Port in order to protect the Ras Ghanada coral reef, the largest and most diverse coral community in the Arabian Gulf. The award was presented to Capt. Mohamed Al Shamisi, Vice President of Ports at ADPC, by Lex de Ridder, Commercial Bulk, Containers and Logistics Unit Manager at Port of Amsterdam.
Accepting the award at the event, Capt. Al Shamisi said “ADPC is committed to ensuring sustainable development in all our projects and, as a responsible member of the wider community, the company takes its responsibility towards the impact its projects have on the environment very seriously. We are constantly striving for better practices and solutions so it is an honour to have the dedication, perseverance and hard work of all ADPC members recognised and rewarded by our peers in the business community, and we look forward to more awards in the years to come”.
Rising four metres above the water, the Environmental Breakwater at Khalifa Port cuts down sea-swell, contamination and unnecessary temperature change from any projected port use. The breakwater is constructed with a foundation of core materials covered with a strong synthetic geotextile heavy canvas, which is in turn covered with boulders brought from Ras Al Khaimah that have been cleaned to avoid contamination of marine life, and finally topped out with giant acropods (coffin-shaped wave breakers).
ADPC also sponsored one of the award categories, the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises an individual whose life’s work has resulted in the positive development of the maritime bulk industry. Capt. Al Shamisi presented the award of Lifetime Achievement to Laurence G. Pathy, Chairman of Fednav Limited, in recognition of his contribution to the Maritime and Bulk industry, in the attendance of Sulaiman Hamid Almazroui, UAE Ambassador for Belgium.
WAM/ES/AM
