Qatar Navigation (Milaha) is seeking a new permanent chief executive after Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai resigned.
Al-Mannai, who took the top job in 2015, is leaving to “pursue other duties”, the shipowner said.
The board has accepted his resignation, and appointed Mohammed Abdulla Swidan, executive vice president at subsidiary Milaha Offshore & Marine Services, as interim president and CEO.
Milaha chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim Jaber Al-Thani said Al-Mannai had played a vital role in the company’s development, in line with Milaha’s vision and strategic plans set by the board.
“His efforts resulted in creating a successful and sustainable business model, which will enable the group to continue achieving future growth and development,” Al-Thani added.
Al-Mannai came to Milaha from a role as head of commercial planning & allocation functions at Qatargas.
Other directors expressed “immense gratitude” to the outgoing CEO, wishing him every success in the future.
Al-Mannai said he appreciated the board and all Milaha employees for their full support throughout his years of service.
Interim boss Swidan has nearly 20 years of experience in shipping,
He holds an MBA in global shipping management from the University of Greenwich in London, as well as a senior marine engineering certificate.
Milaha operates a fleet of LNG and LPG carriers, container ships, tugs, offshore vessels and product tankers.
For the first quarter of 2022, net profit was up at QAR 360m ($99m), from QAR 297m for the same period last year.
Operating revenue climbed to QAR 913m, compared with QAR 675m in 2021.
