07-05-2025
20 outstanding young maritime leaders revealed
Dubai: The final 20 candidates for this year's prestigious Seatrade Maritime News 20Under40 have now been revealed. These exceptional individuals under the age of 40 have all made outstanding contributions to global maritime through their leadership, innovation, and impact.
The finalists were announced earlier today at a ceremony during the three-day conference at Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, which is taking place this week at Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8th May as a major highlight of UAE Maritime Week. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, this flagship maritime event has brought together key stakeholders in the maritime sector, governmental and semi-governmental entities, as well as innovators in the fields of technology, energy, finance, investment and services, in addition to the most prominent suppliers, decision-makers and shipping companies.
The SMN20Under40 Class of 2025 are:
Mr Ahmed Sati, Operation Manager / Harbour Master, P&O Maritime
Dr Akanksha Batura Pai, Executive Director, Sinoda Shipping Agency Pte
Mr Anant Dhandhania, Director, Adel Shipping & Logistics Ltd
Ms Anna Mkrtchyan, Senior Associate, Fichte & Co.
Mr Arthur Richier, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Vortexa
Mr Dan Aldrich Tolentino, Cadet Training Manager, Sharjah Maritime Academy
Mr Gagan Deep Katyal, Director, Avid Marine
Ms Gina Panayiotou, Founder & CEO, Oceans Arena
Ms Gisa Paredes, Managing Director, WellAtSea
Ms Huma Qureshi, General Manager, Emirates Shipping Association (ESA)
Mr Ian Chew, Founder and CEO, Greenie Web
Ms Jaquelyn E. P. Burton eMBA, BS, AFNI, Director of Experience Design / President WISTA Norway, Kongsberg Maritime
Mr Karim Hasab El Nabi, Chief Operating Officer, Allianz Middle East and Stanford Marine
Ms Maimoona Nalkhande, Legal Counsel - Corporate & Commercial – GCC, DP World
Mr Numair Imtiaz Shaikh, CEO, Tomini Group
Mr Paul Katsouris, Partner, Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP
Ms Sarah Al Qahtani, Commercial and Operations Manager, Bahri Dry Bulk
Mr Vikas Vijay Laul, Founder & CEO, Myvessel Technologies
Ms Yosra Hofeizavy, MD, SeaMaster Management Co.
Ms Zoe Upson, Director, FACT (Freight & Commodity Talent) / Women Together
Seatrade Maritime's Content Director, and leading the judging, Emma Howell, said: 'Choosing the final 20 candidates from an already excellent shortlist of 40 was no easy task – the quality of entrants from our many young maritime leaders around the globe was truly overwhelming. We hope that the Class of 2025 shows how their outstanding talent is set to shape the future of our industry. To all the entrants, we'd like to extend our thanks to taking part and we hope they continue to inspire their peers and encourage others to take part in next year's Seatrade Maritime 20Under40 initiative.'
About Seatrade Maritime News 20 Under 40
The initiative last took place in 2023, and while previously only open to entries from the Middle East, this year's search also heralded some key changes, with entries actively encouraged from the whole of the global maritime industry. From this year, the initiative will also run on annual basis.
About Seatrade Maritime
For more than 50 years, Seatrade Maritime has brought the international maritime industry together, building an extensive global community through its news website, themed reports, podcast, global events and marketing solutions.
Seatrade Maritime global B2B events offer excellent opportunities to reach new markets quicker and more successfully than any other maritime trade show. Through our events, thousands of shipping professionals establish and grow their business, build networks and learn about the latest industry innovations.
