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Nawal Saigal

Nawal SaigalNawal Saigal

Managing Director, Drydocks World-Dubai


Nawal Saigal was appointed the Managing Director of  Drydocks World-Dubai in June 2007. At 54,he is a firm believer that effective companies are formed and operated by people and a good leader "who can make ordinary people do extraordinary feats." He has devoted his tenure in the position to the fundamentals of good relationship, care and recognition of his people, of which there are close to 10,000 at the present time. Drydocks World-Dubai has over the years understood that Ship Repair/Conversions/Building is a hazardous/risky business; hence, the company has applied very good Safety Management systems and keeps that as a key focus at all times. The Middle East suffers from extremely hot weather during the summer period,the company believes that it can be "Managed", with its Medical and Safety teams and the HSE statistics prove them correct. Routine inspection across the staff accomodation blocks, Mess Halls ensures he is very close to his people and also provides a platform for inter-action cutting through the hierarchy.

 

A graduate in Electrical Engineering from Mumbai University in 1976, Mr. Saigal started his career as a Trainee Marine Engineer withThe Shipping Corporation of India in May 1977. He did his Chief Engineers Certificate (Motor) in 1984 from DG Shipping, Mumbai.

 

He joined Dubai Drydocks, as it was known then, in 1992 as a Ship Repair Manager and demonstrated his managerial skills early on and was soon heading major projects for Drydocks, which included the first conversion Nkossa-1 and the refit of Cossack Pioneer in 1995 and 1999 respectively. Going through various positions in the company, he was promoted to the rank of Production Director in 2004. That is the time he says "My Mind set changed from being a Manager to a Leader-When people became more important than the job."

 

The period from 2004 to 2007 saw an upsurge in the Shipping Market and Drydocks world-Dubai prepared itself for the coming work . "All clients are important", "We repair anything that can float", "Safety at all times", "Quality begins with you", "People we care", are some of the words Mr. Saigal uses everyday. Today, with the support of local business partners , Drydocks is working with approx. 14,000 people everyday.

 

The industrial precinct of DMC and the presently fully operational jadaf facility also come under his control. Improvements in Jadaf are clearly visible. He wants the same culture of the main yard to be fully incorporated by the Business Partners in Jadaf, which aligns with the Dubai Government vision of providing a "Safe and Secure work environment for all". Further expansion plans are afoot in Drydocks World-Dubai, which include infrastructure development,two VLCC berths, additional office buildings, accomodation blocks for personnel and a fully integrated Medical Centre.