Mr. Ahmed Essa Hareb Al Falahi
Chief Executive Officer

A man whose passion for finance and economics has enabled him to have the right knowledge, skill and experience to be the captain of the ship of Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) as its CEO since 2006, Ahmed Essa Hareb Al Falahi, has successfully steered the company into becoming one of the Middle East's largest independent commercial product tanker operator despite its relatively short history.

His financial acumen and excellent business sense more than made up for a seemingly lack of experience in the shipping sector as he effectively guided GEM to a cautious but consistent growth amidst the rough and turbulent seas of a catastrophic global financial meltdown.

Also a man with a never-ending passion for learning, he quickly absorbed all that needs to be learned about the shipping sector as his overall leadership – beyond his financial and economic expertise – enabled him to emphasize on the company’s core mission of providing flawless marine transportation in an environmentally conscious, safe and reliable manner that contribute to commerce and, above all, safeguarding people and the planet. This then led to numerous awards and recognitions for GEM including the Ship Owner / Operator Award for 2011 and the Safety and Quality Award for three consecutive years – all from the Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards – the ‘Clean Seas’ award as well as being declared as the ‘Tanker Company of the Year’ in 2008 by the Lloyd’s List Middle East Shipping Awards. 

A well-educated UAE national with a double degree in Finance and General Business from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Al Falahi was entrusted with projects worth billions of dollars and in many different countries right at the early stages of his career. He led a UAE-based telecom giant’s team of financial experts and lawyers in their quest for further growth and expansion through mergers and acquisitions. Tasked with having to make sure that he gave the right advice and recommendation, Al Falahi had to identify targets and conduct a diligent and thorough study of these targets, specifically its true worth and business viability.

Tracing his ancestry from the Bedouins who are known for being patient and in taking matters that need to be dealt with on a day-to-day basis seriously, a Bedouins’ other character traits of being firm yet fair have likewise provided him with the right leadership skills in inculcating to its staff the need to protect shareholders interest at all times and in following company values towards the achievement of GEM’s business goals.

With the UAE being known for its passion for hard and great quality work, Al Falahi knows only too well the value of striking the proper balance between family and work. Yet, during tough times, he acknowledges the great importance of making himself readily available to subordinates to provide guidance and support in order to relieve pressure and ensure that the company is focused on its broad objectives.

Ovijit Roy
Head of Fleet

Ovijit Roy is a Marine Engineer by Profession. Academically, he holds an M.Sc degree in Marine Engineering awarded by the University of Newcastle, UK.

Professionally, he holds an Extra First Class Engineers Certificate of Competency issued by the Dept of Trade, UK.

He started his sea career in 1971 as an Engineer and sailed for 10 years on various types pf ships up to the rank of Chief Engineer. Subsequently, he moved ashore and worked in Mumbai with Lloyd's Register of Shipping (for12.5 years) and last served as a Senior Surveyor. Then he took up assignment with Thome Ship Management, Singapore as a Senior Supdt in 1995 and was subsequently promoted to a Fleet Manager in 1999.

In 2004 joined GEM as a Fleet Manager and has now been appointed as the Head of Fleet.

Captain Bob Ferguson
Head of MSEQ

Captain Bob Ferguson is a Master Mariner having a total of thirty eight years experience within the marine industry. His experience has been primarily in oil tankers ranging from 16,000 to 405,000 DWT carrying oil products and crude oil. He has held various shore positions including Operations Superintendent, Senior Operations Superintendent and Operations Manager working in high profile tanker fleets, such as KOTC, in the Arabian Gulf Region. He is also a member of the Nautical Institute.

Mr. Dereck Wate
Head of Finance

Dereck Wate is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA from Delaware U.S.A), he has worked for 15 years in the Oil and Gas and Shipping Industries. Dereck joined GEM in 2004 as Finance Manager and in Aug 2007 was promoted as the Head of Finance. Dereck has held various positions including Business Analyst, Planning & Budgeting, and Sr. Accountant with high profile companies like Caltex (now Chevron-Texaco) and Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO). He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Raifa Al Maskary
Head of HR

Raifa Al Maskary started her HR career at the Mashreq bank before moving to the Dubai World Trade center in the year 2000. She later joined the Dubai Development and Investment Authority as group Human Resources manager heading the HR functions of the DDIA, Dubai health care city, Dubai Industrial city, Dubai land, SME and the Dubai Humanitarian city.

She joined Gulf Energy Maritime in the year 2005 as HR manager and was promoted as Head of HR in the year 2006.

Hanus Mikkelsen
Head of Fleet Personnel

Hanus Mikkelsen is a Master Mariner graduated on the Faroe Islands. With his vast experience in his field he joined GEM in 2011 as Head of Fleet Personnel. Hanus has sailed as Master Marine for years and has in his long shore career held various managerial positions. Initially within the field of Safety and Quality before transforming into a passionate Marine HR person with companies like, Tschudi & Eitzen, Clipper and Nordic Tankers.