Michael Bernard (left), president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), presents David Ross, executive vice- president of Seafreight Agencies USA, with a copy of the History of the SAJ during the CSA's banquet.

Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) operated by the Danish firm APM Terminals, has received the prestigious Container Terminal of the Year award in the Caribbean for 2008, from the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA). This is the second time that the KCT has won this award, the first time was in 2003.

The award was presented at the CSA banquet held on Wednesday night, marking the end of the 38th annual general meeting, conference and exhibition, held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

First-time winners

Guadeloupe Port Authority was also in the winning for the first time, and received the Best Multi-purpose Terminal of the Year award.

General manager for APM Jamaica, Hans Jensen, was on hand to collect the award.

"This award is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of all our staff and a validation of service improvements we have provided to our customers. It is also a welcome indication that we are on the right track in making KCT a world-class facility," said Jensen.

The CSA Port Awards competition measures efficiency and dependability of the region's seaport terminals. Size of the terminal and its facilities are not a factor in the competition. The competition is in the 21st year.

The CSA conference was held October 13-15. Over 250 members and observers from the Caribbean, North America and Europe were in attendance.

Hans Jensen (left), managing director for APM Terminals Jamaica, receives the Container Terminal of the Year award from Fernando Rivera, president of the Caribbean Shipping Association, during the CSA's banquet last Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.