Adnan El Yacoubi: Bringing Global Port Expertise to the Leadership of Hamad Port

Modern ports are more than gateways for international trade. They are complex operating environments where technology, infrastructure, people and commercial strategy must work together to keep goods moving efficiently.

For Adnan El Yacoubi, understanding these connections has been central to a career spanning more than 17 years across some of the world’s major container terminals.

Today, as Managing Director of Hamad Port at QTerminals, he brings international experience in port operations, terminal automation and large-scale workforce management to one of Qatar’s important maritime gateways.

His appointment in October 2026 represents a new chapter in a career built around operational performance, technical innovation and the leadership of complex port environments.

From Operations Planning to International Leadership

El Yacoubi began his professional journey in Morocco in 2009, joining APM Terminals as an Operations Support Officer.

His early responsibilities included developing resource planning tools, performance databases and cost-saving simulations, providing a practical understanding of how operational decisions influence terminal efficiency.

He subsequently progressed through vessel planning, berth supervision and terminal planning management.

These positions exposed him to the detailed coordination required to manage container movements, allocate resources and maintain reliable terminal operations.

His responsibilities eventually extended across international locations, including Morocco, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands.

This experience established a foundation in both the technical and organisational aspects of maritime logistics.

Advancing Terminal Automation in Morocco

A significant stage of El Yacoubi’s career came through his appointment as Head of Terminal Operations Planning at APM Terminals MedPort Tangier in 2017.

The position placed him within a major terminal development environment, where operational systems, technology and workforce capabilities needed to be established and coordinated.

His responsibilities included leading the implementation of the terminal operating system, overseeing planning procedures and supporting the integration of automated equipment.

He also managed the development of berth planning, yard strategy, gate operations and resource planning functions.

These assignments required collaboration across operations, engineering, information technology and external technology suppliers.

The experience demonstrated the importance of preparing people and processes alongside the introduction of advanced infrastructure.

Successful port automation depends not only on technology, but on the people and operational systems that make it work.

Managing Operations at Scale

In April 2021, El Yacoubi became Head of Operations at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, one of the world’s major container terminals.

As part of the senior management team, he held responsibilities covering terminal operations and the leadership of more than 4,000 team members.

During his tenure, the terminal handled more than 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, with his professional record highlighting achievements in container volumes, crane productivity and vessel port-hour savings.

Managing operations at this scale requires coordination across multiple functions, from workforce deployment and equipment availability to vessel scheduling and operational safety.

His experience in Malaysia expanded his leadership responsibilities from developing terminal systems to managing established, high-volume operations.

It also reinforced the importance of combining operational discipline with continuous performance improvement.

Strengthening Port Leadership in Jordan

In July 2024, El Yacoubi joined Aqaba Container Terminal in Jordan as Chief Operations Officer.

The appointment added another international leadership assignment to his career, following extensive experience across Europe, Africa and Asia.

His time at Aqaba continued until September 2026, preceding his move to Qatar.

This progression reflects the adaptability required of maritime executives working across different port environments.

Although terminals vary in scale, technology and commercial requirements, effective operations depend on consistent principles: safety, planning, workforce coordination and reliable service delivery.

El Yacoubi’s career demonstrates how experience across diverse operating environments can contribute to a broader understanding of port management.

Leading Hamad Port Into Its Next Chapter

In October 2026, El Yacoubi assumed the position of Managing Director of Hamad Port at QTerminals.

His responsibilities encompass the overall management and performance of the port, including container, general cargo, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and multipurpose terminals.

He also holds full profit-and-loss responsibility, extending his leadership remit across commercial performance, operational efficiency and organisational management.

The role brings together several dimensions of his professional experience.

His background in terminal automation provides an understanding of technology-driven operations. His experience managing large teams supports the coordination of complex workforces, while his international assignments offer exposure to different commercial and operational environments.

At Hamad Port, these capabilities are relevant to maintaining reliable services, strengthening customer relationships and supporting the port’s competitive position.

Effective maritime leadership connects operational reliability with commercial performance and the ability to adapt to changing trade requirements.

Combining Technical Knowledge With Executive Responsibility

El Yacoubi holds a Master of Engineering in Operations Research from Morocco’s Institut National de Statistique et d’Économie Appliquée (INSEA).

His academic background provides a foundation in analytical decision-making, optimisation and the management of complex systems.

Throughout his career, he has complemented this technical knowledge with professional development in Lean Six Sigma, safety leadership and people management.

His progression from operations support and vessel planning to managing director illustrates the value of understanding an industry from its operational foundations.

Rather than approaching port leadership exclusively through commercial strategy, his experience has developed through direct involvement in the systems, processes and teams that determine terminal performance.

Recognition by Icons Qatar

Adnan El Yacoubi’s professional journey reflects a sustained contribution to international maritime operations and terminal management.

From developing operational planning systems in Morocco to supporting automation at MedPort Tangier, managing large-scale operations in Malaysia and serving as Chief Operations Officer in Jordan, his career has been shaped by increasingly complex leadership responsibilities.

Today, as Managing Director of Hamad Port at QTerminals, he brings that experience to Qatar’s maritime and logistics sector.

For Icons Qatar, El Yacoubi represents executive leadership grounded in technical expertise, international experience and operational accountability.

His journey highlights the importance of experienced maritime professionals in strengthening port performance, supporting international trade and developing the operational capabilities on which modern logistics networks depend.