TMS Celebrates a Year of Success

Shipping and maritime elites gather for a glittering celebration hosted by The Maritime Standard

The upmarket Jumeirah Zabeel Saray was an appropriate location for an exclusive gathering held on April 9th to celebrate the first anniversary of one of Dubai’s fastest growing events and online publishing businesses, The Maritime Standard (TMS).

A division of Flagship Events, TMS has scored a big hit with its popular online news digest, which provides a fortnightly review of key developments in the shipping, ports and related maritime sectors across the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Since its launch issue in June last year, TMS has built up a loyal following with over 25,000 executives now receiving the newsletter direct to their email inbox.

The company has also successfully launched the TMS Awards, with the inaugural event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, taking place last November at the iconic Atlantis Ballroom, on The Palm.  The Awards attracted over 600 of the region’s elite, including chairmen, chief executives and directors from all of the leading shipping companies, ports, terminal operators and maritime companies and organisations.

TMS managing director, Trevor Pereira says, “The fact that His Highness granted not just his patronage but attended the inaugural event in person shows how important these awards are to the shipping and maritime industry in this region. We may only be one year old but we have quickly matured into a company that can have a major impact within a business that is of vital importance not just to Dubai and the UAE, but all GCC countries and the Indian subcontinent as well.”

It is clear that TMS has quickly made a big impression amongst top executives in this sector.  H.E. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Director General, Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime says, “I have been hugely impressed with the contribution that TMS has made in such a short space of time. The newsletter is a valuable tool, and the TMS Awards are already established as a highlight of the industry’s calendar.”

Similar endorsement comes from H.E. Sheikh Dr. Sabah Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Ports Authority and the former Chairman of the Board of Arab Sea Ports Federation, who points out, “It is important that we celebrate and reward achievements in this industry, to encourage new talent to come in and to acknowledge the contributions made by the elder statesmen of our business. The TMS Awards does that, and more.”

The 2nd Annual Maritime Standard Awards will be held on Monday, 9 November 2015, once again at the Atlantis Ballroom. Building on the achievements of the inaugural Awards, this year promises to be bigger and better still, with close to 800 guests likely to attend. Trevor Pereira adds, “All the top names and personalities will be there, providing unrivalled opportunities for networking. The Awards give the industry a fantastic showcase and I am very proud of what my team has achieved over the past year in delivering that increased profile.”

As well as running the TMS Awards, Flagship Events has a thriving third party events business. Over the past 12 months the company has organised and run events around the BIMCO AGM, which was held in Dubai last April; and celebratory events to mark 150 years of the classification society, DNV GL, and the 10th anniversary of the Islamic P&I Club.