Sharjah-UAE - Flemming Dalgaard, CEO of Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator, has been named the Industry CEO of the Year at the CEO Middle East Awards 2017. Currently in its 11th year, the annual award recognises the contributions of the region’s top CEOs in delivering outstanding results, and supporting the vibrancy of business sectors across the region.  Dalgaard’s strategic managerial vision and overall direction enabled Gulftainer to record a strong performance in 2016, through a two-fold investment strategy of capacity expansion and the acquisition of new ports. Under Dalgaard’s leadership, Gulftainer witnessed the launch of a corporate wellness programme to improve employee engagement and well-being, as well as the implementation of new technologies that enhanced operational excellence. In April 2017, Gulftainer won the ‘Technology Implementation of the Year’ category at the Logistics Middle East Awards, for the successful implementation of its new Marine and Container Handling (MACH) software.   Speaking on the achievement, Flemming Dalgaard said: “I am truly privileged to accept the award, and extend my sincere gratitude to the organisers of the CEO Middle East Awards for this prestigious commendation.  I also take this opportunity to thank our dynamic and dedicated team of employees at Gulftainer, who continue to believe in our strategic mission and work relentlessly in helping us achieve it.”   Acknowledging this achievement, Jeremy Lawrence, Editorial Director, CEO Middle East said: “The CEO Middle East Awards recognizes leaders who have made valuable contributions in their fields. We congratulate them and Flemming on winning the Industry CEO of the Year award."   The CEO Middle East Awards 2017 was held on 12 September in Dubai, with the judges presenting awards to 12 winners carefully picked from more than 125 nominations. The judging panel comprised the editorial team and directors of ITP Executive Publishing.  Flemming Dalgaard joined Gulftainer in August 2015 to manage its international operations. He was appointed CEO of the Group in February 2016, to oversee the company’s strategic growth across its ports and logistics businesses in the UAE and internationally across Iraq, Brazil, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Dalgaard has also been ranked among the top 10 most influential Supply Chain CEOs in the Middle East.