Dr Ahmed Al Abri

CEO Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY)

Dr. Ahmed Al Abri serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY). With over 25 years of experience in the maritime and logistics industry, Dr. Al Abri has held several senior leadership positions across leading organizations, most notably serving as Chief Executive Officer of Asyad Ports prior to joining ASRY.

He holds a PhD in Operational and Environmental Management of Ports & Shipyards from the University of Portsmouth (UK), a Master’s degree in Maritime Engineering Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, both from the University of Southampton (UK)

2026 Event Agenda Sessions

Fleet Under Pressure: Capacity, Costs, and the Crew Crisis

Global shipping is grappling with a perfect storm: shipyard slots are scarce, newbuild prices have skyrocketed, and offshore fleets face aging vessels with poor ROI on replacement. At the same time, a widening talent gap – exacerbated by rising crew costs and a new generation less willing to go to sea – is leaving operators short-handed. This session examines how these pressures are reshaping vessel supply, crew dynamics, and project cargo flows, with a regional lens on the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, tariff shocks, and political instability.

Wednesday 04 February 14:40 - 15:30 Main Stage