ABDULRAHMAN ESSA AL-MANNAI
For more than half a century, Milaha has been a major provider of feeder services within the GCC region, using its modern fleet to meet the many and varied needs of local importers and exporters.
BIOGRAPHY
Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai has been the president and CEO of Milaha Group (Qatar Navigation) since 2015. He sits is on the board of directors of Nakilat and QTerminals, a joint venture between Mawani and Milaha. Prior to joining Milaha, Al-Mannai held various leadership positions at Qatargas, the world's largest LNG company. At Qatargas, he oversaw the largest LNG supply chain, Europe's largest regasification terminal, and South Hook LNG Terminal. Throughout his career, Al-Mannai has developed extensive experience in multiple fields, including shipping, energy, and commercial activities. He has a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Milaha is one of the main transport companies in Qatar, offering seamless supply chain solutions for a broad range of sectors. What has been the company's contribution to the logistics sector?
For more than six decades, Milaha has been at the forefront of the shipping and logistics sector in Qatar, designing and delivering exceptional services in the provision of logistics, shipping, and ports. Milaha's experts have a lot of experience in offering a wide range of logistical services that include air and sea freight forwarding, clearing and cargo handling, as well as land transport and warehousing. In more recent years, several of our facilities have undergone complete refurbishment, which has been complemented by the introduction of cutting edge, technologically advanced, third-party logistics capabilities and services, uniquely designed to provide a solid foundation for Qatar's supply chain connectivity and ongoing rapid development. We are especially proud of Logistics City, which marks our entry into the field of cold chain solutions. Logistics City is a state-of-the art project with 400,000sqm of land; it is also home to Doha's first 3PL bonded warehouse.
How did Qatar's world-class ports help cope with the impact of the blockade?
For more than half a century, Milaha has been a major provider of feeder services within the GCC region, using its modern fleet to meet the many and varied needs of local importers and exporters. Since the blockade, Milaha has played a central role in ensuring Qatar's supply links and export capabilities by enhancing operations at Hamad Port through the inauguration of new shipping routes. For example, we launched a new feeder route that links Greece, Turkey, and Russia. This is a landmark accomplishment as it is the first service linking the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Another highlight was the launch of the first-ever container feeder service between Qatar and Iraq. Other successful projects are the launch of direct cargo services with ports in Oman, Kuwait, Pakistan, and beyond. Another particularly exciting development was the expansion of our operations into the African continent through the deployment of Milaha Explorer, our lift boat that supports marine platforms off the West African coast. At present, Milaha's container services calls at 12 ports directly and serves in excess of 20 more via its liner services that operate throughout the Middle East, Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, and Europe with a modern fleet comprised of fully cellular container vessels, ranging from 515 TEUs to 4,606 TEUs in nominal capacity.
Milaha reported a 6% increase in net profit in H12019. How did the company capitalize on profitable growth opportunities and pursue sustainable cost optimization initiatives to achieve greater cost efficiency?
In the face of challenging circumstances, Milaha has succeeded in realizing a significant number of important achievements through its innovative initiatives and projects. We are pursuing more cost-optimization initiatives, such as the recent implementation of a new digital system designed to improve current working efficiency and enhance our ability to offer clients innovative new supply and shipping services. Another landmark event was the 2018 deployment and integration of robotic process automation solutions to enhance our back-office operations. The new system involves the use of software robots and AI in the performance of administrative tasks and functions.
What is the outlook for your company in the year ahead?
Milaha's success has been built on its forward-looking strategies, and this will not change. 2020 is already shaping up to be an exceptionally busy year, as we build on our strong position as the partner-of-choice in both Qatar's maritime and logistics sectors. We will continue to develop and expand Logistics City and the Milaha shipyard, which is due for completion in 2020. Moreover, we aim to capture niche segments of the maritime sector, such as high-end yachts and sophisticated coastguard and navy vessels. Looking at 2020, Milaha intends to continue its operational expansion beyond the region, seeking to enter other emerging, high-growth markets.
ABDULRAHMAN ESSA AL-MANNAI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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