Players in the shipping industry have been awarded for their immense contribution to the growth and development of the industry at the second edition of the Ghana Shipping Awards.

The award was aimed at recognizing the contribution of companies in the export trade for their contribution to national development in line with government’s vision of transforming the economy into an export driven one.

The Minister of Transport, Kweku Ofori Asiamah said although there have been some drastic transformation in the port clearance processes with the implementation of the paperless port system, government is not oblivious of some existing inherent challenges.

“Government is committed to ensuring that as a country we achieve a complete automated clearance regime and shall not entertain any deliberate act of collision on the part of element within the process to frustrate its successful implementation,” he said.

The Transport Minister said the port expansion projects at Tema and Takoradi ports have been given focal attention and work is progressing steadily.

“It is expected that these infrastructural projects will lead to an improvement in the capacity of our port and operational efficiency in handling the projected cargo throughput,” he added.

The CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority, Benonita Bismarck said the award ceremony will instill in industry players a sense of fulfilment and encourage transparency and compliance with laid down procedures in the trade and transport industry.

“This year’s awards which cut across varied sectors including road, ocean and air transportation, freight forwarding, shipping lines and agents, government agencies, insurance and financial institutions is an improvement of last year’s categorization,” she said.

West Blue consulting won the excellence in innovation and technology award. GC-Net won the trade facilitation organization of the year and consultancy service provider of the year, sea port terminal of the year went to Amaris Terminal. Exporter of the year went to Kingdom Exim Ghana ltd.

Star Assurance won maritime and logistics insurer of the year. Sea and shore services Ghana limited won Marine Service Provider of the year. Seven log won shipping agent of the year. Promising shipping company of the year is Axiss shipping. Mcdan shipping company won shipping company of the year. Baj freight won freight forwarder of the year and Liner importer of the year went to ECG.

B5 plus won dry bulk exporter of the year. Conship won logistics service provider of the year, Delta Ghana limited won Handicraft exporter of the year. Della Russel Ocloo of Daily graphic won reporter of year, and CEO of the year went to Daniel Mckorley of Mcdan shipping company, GPHA won the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Transparency award and Golden Jubilee Terminal won the Terminal of the year award.

Your authoritative Port and Maritime Television program Eye on Port was adjudged the best media program in promoting and championing the Maritime, Port and Shipping Industry.