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

The award was aimed at recognising excellence in the shipping industry to imbibe in the players a sense of fulfilment and greater zeal to achieve higher laurels.

The Minister of Transport, Kweku Ofori Asiamah who was the special guest of honour charged players in the shipping industry to introduce modern technology in their activities to improve efficiency and to conform to international best practices.

He outlined some measures by government to make the shipping industry economic viable to reduce the cost of doing business.

A board member of the Ghana Shippers Awards, Michael Luguje who is the President of the ports management of west and central Africa entreated players in the shipping industry to offer services that will facilitate trade.

The CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority, Benonita Bismarck said the authority will continue to address the challenges of shippers to make them competitive.

Industry Leadership Award was presented to the Ghana Ports and Habour Authority and was received by the Director General, Paul Asare Ansah and the Board chairman, Peter Mac Manu.

Port Sector Reforms and Human Development Champion award went to Ben Owusu-Mensah, a former Director General of GPHA.

Trade Facilitation Company of the Year went to GCNet, the provider of e-solutions to government whiles its Executive Chairman Dr. Nortey Omaboe won the CEO of the year award.

West Blue Consulting, the technical support providers for Customs won two awards, the excellence in innovation and technology award as well as Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Transparency award.

Promising Terminal of the Year went to Amaris Terminal, Shipping Agent of the Year went to Grimaldi Ghana Limited, Sea Freight Solutions Provider of the Year went to Consolidated Shipping, Brand of the Year went to McDan Shipping Company Limited, and Maersk line won the Shipping Line of the Year.

Strategic Champion in Shipper Services and International Maritime Legislative Reforms went to Dr. Kofi Mbiah and Reporter of the year went to Kennedy Mornah of the New Maritime and Port Digest Newspaper.