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Local shippers urged to brace for change
– Chris Fernandes, Gaico Construction, Muneshwer’s honoured for contributions
Regional shipping companies will have to brace themselves for major changes if they intend to survive in a growing competitive world, a senior official of the regional association has charged.
Vice President of the Caribbean Shipping Association and CEO of Barbados Port Inc., David Jean-Marie made the assertion while he was the Guest Speaker at the Shipping Association’s (SAG) Awards Presentation and Dinner held recently at the Pegasus Hotel.
“The maritime industry across the Caribbean is due for a shake-up and much needed re-examination if we are to fulfill the needs of global shipping lines and cargo owners,” the official said.
Awardees pose with SAG Chairman Desmond Sears (far left) and keynote speaker David Jean-Marie (at right)
It was pointed out that there are over 4,700 ports currently operating globally and less than 100 of these, categorized as small to medium sized, have to compete more strenuously to stay in the game.
The ports in Guyana, Suriname, Barbados, Grenada and other CARICOM islands are seen as a microcosm of global shipping.
Jean-Marie said that due to the region’s geographic location, shallow draughts, and comparatively smaller populations that consume and export smaller volumes of cargo, “it is necessary for our ports to strive for greater efficiency and higher standards in order to be counted in the Port Performance Continuum”.
Freeport Jamaica, he said, is larger than most ports in the region and is preparing to become a significant Caribbean hub for cargo entering the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on the mega vessels that will be able to transit the refurbished 50-mile long Panama Canal when it is re-commissioned in 2015. The man-made Panama Canal in Central America links the Pacific with the Atlantic Ocean.
Jean-Marie made it clear that the efficiency of a port is part of a value chain that includes marine terminals and land transportation networks. He said the importance of the role of governments cannot be overstated.
“Governments in CARICOM must provide the enabling facilities and create the standards for sustainability of their economies which are tied closely to their shipping facilities,” the shipping executive said.
“No small or medium sized destination (port) could adequately service the multifaceted needs of (maritime trade) customers without the support of government. It cannot remain business as usual. Governments must be involved and sensitive to the country’s maritime developmental needs.”
Meanwhile, four major awards were presented to outstanding maritime industry operators and administrators who, over the past year, have made significant contributions to the sector’s growth and sustenance. Among them was Christopher Fernandes, retired Chief Executive Officer of John Fernandes Ltd.
GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. received an award for innovativeness and aggressive expansion of the range of services. So did Muneshwer’s Limited which was recognized for consistently upgrading their cargo receiving and storage facilities and expanding the range of services to domestic and overseas clientele.
The “Long Service” award was given to Ian D’Anjou, Secretary/Treasurer of the Shipping Association for over a decade of dedicated service.
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