Born on April 27, 1962, Mr. Muhammad Tahir Lakhani is a well-known businessman in Karachi, Pakistan and a celebrated name in shipping business. He is also a member of the US-based Propeller Club. He started his business in ship recycling in Dubai. Tahir Lakhani Dubai is also the Managing Director and Chairman of Dubai Trading Agency. He comes from a reputed and esteemed family. He left no stone unturned when it came to represent UAE on global level after moving to Dubai in an international level for maritime logistics and trade. Until 2019, he represented Dubai as part of UAE Shipping Association as a Vice Chairman.
Professional Career:
Tahir Lakhani started his career in the shipping industry and explored it from the bottom up in his early years. He worked in the vessel recycling yard in his early twenties, which belonged to one of his close friends based in Pakistan. He worked at this yard in Pakistan for three years. He had a very strict schedule from 8am to 8pm on ships. Mr. Lakhani gives a great performance with his dedication at his place of work. He was appointed to supervise the removal of steel plates. Then, these plates were sold to traders on site.
He worked in the shipping industry and was involved in this business with great dedication. He worked on such a huge level and decided to move from Pakistan. First of all, he moved to Dubai to become an entrepreneur and establish his own startup. Mr. Tahir Lakhani acquired old ships to start his business in 1985 and sold the same for decommissioning in ship recycling yards.
Mr. Tahir Lakhani was UAE’s first cash buyer of the vessels to operate and set up smoothly. Over the past couple of years, he successfully operated his business till 1997 as he was the leading dealer in ships across the world. He used to deal in over 100 vessels every year and it was next to impossible for any other dealer at that time.
He acquired VLCC’s three former Adriatic tankers in 1996 outside the UAE in foreign waters and delivered the same to Pakistan-based breakers. It turned out to be the biggest deal in ship demolition in the UAE. He became the international leader in 1999 for ship recycling. He decided to move with his family in the UK for expansion of his business and he worked hard to build more connections.
Mr. Tahir Lakhani became a citizen of the UK in 2009 and he kept on visiting Dubai regularly for his business expansion both in terms of scale and volume. At the end, he moved back in the year 2014.
Major Achievements in his Profession:
He became a Propeller Club’s member in the US and Port of Monaco. He kept on promoting the UAE on international level. He left no stone unturned to make the UAE a major international and national logistics and maritime trade hub.
Personal Career:
Mr. Muhammad Tahir Lakhani also played at the Davis Club to represent his country, Pakistan. He has been an active sports person since his early years. He played tennis and took his part at professional level. Another achievement in his life is Junior Wimbledon where he played tennis.