Port Community holds four celebrations in one night
By Maya Salleh

Port Awards recipient being given the prize.

Presentation ceremony by guest of honour.

A port Community Night was held recently and jointly organised by the Ports Department with PSA Muara Container Terminal Sdn Bhd.

This ceremony united representatives of the Muara Port Community and delegates to the 9th BIMP-EAGA Meeting of the Working Group on Sea Linkages, Transportation and Shipping Services. All attendees and guests had four celebrations in one function.

The evening honoured and acted as show of appreciation to the service providers; presented Port Awards; had a welcoming dinner for delegates to the 9th BIMP-EAGA Meeting of the Working Group on Sea Linkages, Transportation and Shipping Services; and marked Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Present as the guest of honour was Pehin Dato Awg Hj Zakaria Datu Mahawangsa Hj Sulaiman, Minister of Communications. In his keynote address, he stated, "Port and shipping will play important roles in the development of Asean Economic Community.

"They have been and will continue to play a very important role in the economic development of a nation and the region as well as to support other industries - in particular trade, travel and tourism."

He further added that "the development of Muara Port as the Hub Port in the BIMP-EAGA area will require continuous support of various port service providers comprising the government agencies and private sector."

Seven categories of Port Awards 2001-2002 were contested during the Port Community Night.

Best Shipping Agent (Conventional Vessel) was won by Bee Seng Shipping Company, Best Shipping Agent (Container Vessel) went to Teck Liong Trading Company and Tri Star Shipping & Trading Company received Best Forwarding Agent (Conventional Vessel).

In the mean time, Best Forwarding Agent (Containerised Cargo) was won by Tri Star Shipping & Trading Company, Best Stevedoring Company was picked up by Syarikat Pemunggahan Hj Awg Buang Dan Anak-Anak.

Lastly, Advanced Container Lines (ACL) won Best Shipping Line (Containerised Cargo) and the Best Shipping Line (Transshipment Activity) was picked up by Hub Line Shipping Sdn Bhd.

Objectives of the Port Awards were to recognise the Port Community's excellent services and rendered contributions, motivate them to enhance the service quality, productivity and competency as well as to encourage the Port Community for improving and developing their business activities.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin