As part of our 30 Under 30 initiative, we’re celebrating the next generation of leaders shaping the future of the maritime industry. Next up is Ghaya Almansoori, General Manager of the Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA), and a standout emerging leader strengthening collaboration across one of the world’s most important maritime hubs.

Taking on the leadership of an established industry association at a young age is no small responsibility. As General Manager of DSAA, Ghaya works at the intersection of shipping, regulation, and government, bringing together shipping agents, liner operators, NVOCCs, maritime service providers, and policymakers to address the issues shaping Dubai’s maritime sector.

Her role sees her working closely with industry leaders and organisations including Dubai Customs, DP World, PCFC, and the National Advance Information Center. By creating stronger channels of communication between the private sector and government stakeholders, Ghaya is helping ensure that the experiences and priorities of maritime businesses are represented in discussions around regulation, operations, and the continued competitiveness of Dubai as a global shipping hub.

Over the past 12 months, Ghaya has focused on strengthening both the structure and industry relevance of DSAA. A key part of this has been modernising the association’s governance and developing new committees focused on areas including legal affairs, education, and industry policy engagement. These initiatives are giving members more structured opportunities to share expertise, discuss challenges, and contribute to conversations affecting the wider sector.

Alongside this, Ghaya has facilitated engagement between the industry and government on developments affecting shipping operations and maritime trade. She has also worked to strengthen communication and knowledge-sharing across the maritime community through industry briefings, updates, and engagement initiatives, helping members stay informed in a fast-moving regulatory and operational environment.

What makes Ghaya’s journey particularly impressive is the level of leadership she has taken on at an early stage in her career. Stepping into a senior position within a long-established association meant quickly establishing credibility with experienced board members, industry leaders, regulators, and government stakeholders, while simultaneously ensuring continuity in the organisation’s day-to-day activities.

Representing a diverse membership brings its own challenges. Shipping agents, logistics businesses, and maritime service providers can have very different priorities, requiring Ghaya to balance competing perspectives while finding areas where the industry can work together. Her collaborative and transparent approach has helped strengthen these relationships while creating a clearer platform for collective industry engagement.

Ghaya represents a new generation of maritime leadership: one that recognises the importance of collaboration, communication, and bringing different voices together. Through her work at DSAA, she is helping strengthen the relationship between industry and policymakers while ensuring younger professionals have a visible role in shaping the conversations that will define the future of maritime.

Take a look at our full 30 here.