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Desmond Sears elected head of Shipping Association
— body wants modernization of Demerara Harbour to be fast-tracked
Desmond Sears, Chief Executive of Delmur Shipping Company, was elected Chairman of the Shipping Association (Guyana) Inc. (SAG) at its just concluded Annual General Meeting.
He has replaced Andrew Astwood, General Manager of the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) who now serves as the Association’s Immediate Past Chairman.
Desmond Sears – new Chairman of the Shipping Association Guyana Inc.
A new 10-member Management Committee was also installed, with Julian Archer of GNIC as Vice Chairman.
The Management Committee comprises Glynis Hodge – Tropical Shipping; Donald Murray – Demerara Shipping; Richard van Sluytman – C & V Caribbean Shipping; Robin Muneshwer – Muneshwer’s Ltd.; Bernard Fernandes – John Fernandes Ltd.; Christopher Sukhai – NAMILCO; Gidel Thomside – GNSC, and Raymond Ferreira – Demerara Shipping Terminal.
The outgoing Chairman in his report on the shipping industry for year 2011 noted that the transportation sector overall grew by 14.2 percent. During the year, he said, the Association continued to pursue closer collaboration with all stakeholders in the local shipping industry to develop a common strategy that would stimulate improvements in the industry’s operating standards as well as the much touted modernization of the Demerara Harbour.
One of the year’s successes that he alluded to was the installation of Guyana’s first Container Scanner that has enhanced the integrity of exports. A number of consultations were also held throughout the year and the issue of greater security strategies for the Demerara Port remains at the top of the SAG’s agenda.
Secretary-Treasurer, Ian D’Anjou, noted in his report that the SAG’s constant deliberations with the Customs and Trade Administration of the GRA “have produced measurable results” and that the cooperation between the two entities continued into 2012 especially with respect to the CTA implementing more efficient customs procedures.
The Shipping Association’s calendar of activities for the ensuing year includes active participation in the Public/Private sector partnership that has been established specifically to bring about the modernization of Guyana’s sole sea port. The proposal involves new navigational aids, equipment and other infrastructure and acquisition of a pilot launch and Fire Boat.
Advanced Training for all categories of employees and maritime officers has also been given priority status on the agenda. The main objective is to re-introduce certificate programmes in maritime-related subjects in conjunction with the University of Guyana, the Critchlow Labour College, and the Caribbean Maritime Institute located in Jamaica.
The newly elected President, Desmond Sears, has had a long career in shipping in Guyana. He departed the now defunct Bauxite Industry Development Company (BIDCO) after serving for several years in its international marketing division and continued his involvement in the movement of Guyana’s bauxite ore to overseas markets in a private capacity.
Sears is one of only two Guyanese stalwarts to have been inducted into the Silver Club of the Caribbean Shipping Association after giving over 25 years of service to the Maritime Industry. The other is Trustee of the SAG, Clinton Williams.
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