2015

Breaking Barriers in Navigation Services

Captain Sahar Rasti joined Abu Dhabi Ports as an Administrative Assistant, but her ambition quickly took her beyond the boundaries of her role. Driven by determination and a relentless pursuit of maritime knowledge, she progressed through the organisation to become the first Emirati woman to work within Navigation Services — breaking into a traditionally male-dominated field and setting in motion a pioneering maritime journey that would redefine what was possible for Emirati women in the sector.

2016

A Regional First

Captain Sahar became the first woman in the Middle East to complete Levels 1 and 2 of the IALA maritime training program and receive her certification from the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), a French-based international organization, marking a significant milestone in her professional maritime journey.

2017

Taking the Helm

Sahar graduated among the first three Emirati women certified as Master of Coastal Waters (vessels up to 24m) from Abu Dhabi Ports' Maritime Training Centre, and was promoted to Tug Captain, commanding harbour tug operations.

2018

1,300+ Hours at Sea

Surpassed 1,300 hours at sea — a defining milestone that cemented Captain Sahar Rasti’s position as a pioneering Emirati woman in the maritime industry, turning determination into proven experience at sea.

2019

Representing Emirati Women at the Arab League

Captain Sahar represented Emirati women at the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt, as a speaker at the Arab Women’s Summit, highlighting the leadership, ambition and growing influence of Emirati women.

2022

Strategic Agreement with the Suez Canal Authority

SJR Group (Now Rasti Group), founded and led by Captain Sahar Rasti, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority, strengthening UAE–Egypt maritime collaboration and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, training, and future joint initiatives.

2024

A Year of Regional Impact

Captain Sahar Rasti represented the UAE across prominent regional platforms, speaking at the Forbes Middle East Summit in Riyadh and the Global Women’s Forum – Dubai 24. She was also featured on Forbes Middle East’s Breaking Barriers podcast, sharing her perspective on maritime leadership, women breaking into unconventional industries, resilience, and leadership beyond boundaries.

2025

Maritime Excellence & Innovation

Captain Sahar Rasti was honoured with the Benchmark for Maritime Industry Excellence Award at The Maritime Standard Awards 2025, recognising her leadership, industry excellence, and advocacy for women’s empowerment in maritime. The same year, she launched Rahaal, the UAE’s first specialised digital platform dedicated to maritime employment, connecting maritime talent with opportunities across the industry.

2026

A New Chapter of Growth

Captain Sahar Rasti entered a new phase of growth in 2026, restructuring and expanding her business ventures under Rasti Group while advancing new projects and building collaborations with leading global companies. Her influence continued to grow across international media and major industry platforms, including taking the TEDx stage — marking a year of expansion, global partnerships, and new ventures beyond the maritime industry.