The New Silk Road CEO of the Year Awards were funded in 2017 in partnership with the Government of Fujairah ‘to identify and celebrate the pioneering industry leaders who are spearheading the transformation of energy markets across the ancient trading route connecting Asia with the Middle East and Africa’.
The jury’s reasoning for the CEO award: "To arrive at the final winner, a group of renowned industry leaders was invited to join the International Selection Committee to independently nominate, verify and evaluate the original list of 50 nominees, which they did with great competence even in this year of the COVID pandemic," said Ibrahim Al-Buainain, President & CEO, Aramco Trading Co., and Chairman of the 2020 Selection Committee. "Mr. Mørch is a highly respected figure in the shipping and tanker business, a worthy winner who leads an organization that is the gold standard in its industry".
Mørch focused on the Odfjell team in his acceptance speech:
"I am honored and delighted to be awarded this year’s Aramco Trading New Silk Road CEO of the Year award for Shipping. I accept this recognition on behalf of the entire Odfjell organization on board our ships, at our terminals and in our offices worldwide. It is during challenging times like these that our business model is really put to a test, and I am proud to see that we deliver both on safety, growth and results despite the present uncertainty. I greatly appreciate the recognition that the jury shows for our work by granting us this award."
"Nothing that has happened in Odfjell in 2020 has been happening because of any one single individual, and that includes myself. It really has been a true test of a team".
Kristian Mørch
The award was officially presented at the UAE Energy Forum 2021. Mørch was one of the speakers in a panel discussing the ‘Outlook for Peak Oil Demand Era to Embed in 2021’.
The other panelists were President Martin Fraenkel of S&P Global Platts, Thomas Waymel, President Trading & Shipping of Total Oil Trading SA, and CEO Russell Hardy of Vitol. The discussion was moderated by Guy Johnsen of Bloomberg TV. The session was streamed live at Bloomberg TV, on LinkedIn and Twitter.
"The annual New Silk Road CEO of the Year awards are Held under the Patronage of H.H. Hamad bin Mohammad Al-Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council & Ruler of Fujairah, UAE, with a 2020 Selection Committee that included Mr. Roger Chia Kim Piow, Chairman & MD, Rotary Group of Companies; SA; Datuk Md Arif Mahmood, Executive Vice President & CEO of Downstream, PETRONAS; Mr. Martin Fraenkel, President, S&P Global Platts, and Capt. Mousa Murad, Managing Director, Port of Fujairah. Previous winners include H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State & Group CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Mr. Thomas Waymel, President Trading & Shipping, Total Oil Trading.
Previous recipients of the prestigious accolade have included H.E. Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman Suez Canal Authority, Egypt; Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board & CEO Royal Vopak; Mr. Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore; Marco Dunand, CEO, Mercuria Energy Group; and Thomas Waymel, President Trading & Shipping, Total Oil Trading SA."
