Ace Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas was awarded at the just ended maiden Ghana Shippers Awards for his outstanding work in crusading against corruption.

His explosive investigative work at the Tema Port in 2011 brought major changes in port operations and brought to the fore the loopholes through which the nation was losing millions of Ghana cedis.

He was excited that his hard work at the port has been recognized and called on government not to relent in its effort to sanitise port operations and make it more transparent to help attract investors into the country.

The investigative journalist on the night also had an award named after him and he personally presented to West Blue Consulting, The Anas Aremeyaw Anas Award for Transparency.

The award which will be an annual affair, is given to an individual, organization or institution implementing innovative initiatives that promotes transparency and accountability in the Shipping industry.

The award winner must be seen as an inspiration to the anti-corruption movement because their actions echo a common message; corruption can be challenged.

Over 20 companies won various awards with McDan Shipping and BenMarine Services Limited winning three awards apiece. Other companies that won awards on the night include GCNet, WestBlue Consulting, Swissport Ghana Limited, Air Ghana, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Transglobal Logistics, Aramex, Amaris Terminal and Nestle Ghana Limited.

The top ten most transparent shippers for the year 2016 were also recognized with GOIL being the most transparent shipper. Other companies that made the list are Vivo Energy Ghana Limited, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, Star Oil Company Limited, Zen Petroleum Limited, Dangote Cement Ghana Limited, Royal Bow Company Limited, Wilmar Africa Limited, Olam Ghana Limited and B 5 - Plus Limited.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah was optimistic that the awards will motivate industry to lift up their game and also deliver quality service to clients. He reiterated government’s commitment to support projects that will uplift the image of the shipping industry on the international scene and was going to do so through public private partnership.

Ms Benonita Bismarck, CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in her brief speech said the awards cuts across road transportation, ocean carriers, air transportation, freight forwarding, shipping agents, express services, courier agencies, government agencies, insurance and financial institutions, and provides a platform to recognize individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry while recognizing the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability.

Speaking to the press after the awards, Latif Abubakar, CEO of Globe Productions,organisers of the awards, expressed great satisfaction and congratulated winners and all nominees for the feat chalked. He was hopeful the awards will go a long way to increase the healthy competition in the industry.

Below is a list of winners of the Ghana Shippers Awards – 2017

1. ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS TRANSPARENCY AWARDS - WEST BLUE CONSULTING

2. COURIER SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR- ARAMEX

3. BREAK BULK OPERATOR OF THE YEAR - GMT SHIPPING

4. AIR FREIGHT SOLUTION PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - AIR GHANA

5. SEA FREIGHT SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING AGENCIES LIMITED

6. AIR CARGO CARRIER OF THE YEAR - TURKISH AIRLINE

7. FREIGHT FORWARDER OF THE YEAR - BAJ FRIEGHT

8. EXCELLENCE IN HSEQ AWARD - GHANA AIRPORTS COMPANY LIMITED

9. EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - MCDAN SHIPPING CO. LTD

10. PROMISING FREIGHT FORWARDING COMPANY OF THE YEAR - TRANSGLOBAL LOGISTICS

11. PROMISING CEO OF THE YEAR - DR. KOFI AMOAH-ABBAN

12. TERMINAL OF THE YEAR - APM TERMINALS GHANA LTD

13. BRAND OF THE YEAR - MCDAN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED

14. TRADE FACILITATION COMPANY OF THE YEAR - GCNET

15. LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING AGENCIES LIMITED

17. REPORTER OF THE YEAR - KEN MORNAH (THE NEW MARITIME & TRANSPORT DIGEST and STARR FM)

18. FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - GUARANTY TRUST BANK

17. MARITIME & LOGISTICS INSURER OF THE YEAR - STAR ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

18. CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD - DAMCO LOGISTICS GHANA LIMITED

19. CEO OF THE YEAR - DR. NORTEY OMABOE, GCNET

20. EXPORTER OF THE YEAR - BARRY CALLEBAUT GHANA LIMITED

21. IMPORTER OF THE YEAR - TOTAL PETROLEUM GHANA LIMITED

22. SHIPPER OF THE YEAR - NESTLE GHANA LIMITED

23. SHIPPING LINE OF THE YEAR - MAERSK LINE

24. SHIPPING AGENT OF THE YEAR - GRIMALDI GHANA LIMITED

25. GROUND HANDLING – AIR CARGO OF THE YEAR - SWISSPORT GHANA LIMITED

26. ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - DR. DANIEL MCKORLEY - MCDAN SHIPPING

27. EMERGING BRAND OF THE YEAR - DAMCO RIGWORLD

28. BULK DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR - BULK OIL STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION CO. LTD

29. PRODUCT INNOVATION OF THE YEAR - OMNI BANK (OMNI CARGO)

30. MARITIME MEDIA PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR - EYE ON THE PORT

31. INDIGENOUS MARINE COMPANY OF THE YEAR - BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED

32. DOMESTIC COURIER SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - BLUE CHIP

33. PROMISING TERMINAL OF THE YEAR - AMARIS TERMINAL

34. PROMISING LOGISTICS COMPANY OF THE YEAR - DAMCO RIGWORLD

35. PROMISING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - BERNARD LOMOTEY AGBLOE (BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED)

36. HAULIER OF THE YEAR - APEX SHIPPING & COMMERCIAL CO. LTD

37. PROJECT/HEAVY LIFT FORWARDER THE YEAR - JONMOORE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

38. PROMISING MARINE SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED

39. MARINE SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR - SEA AND SHORE LIMITED

40. NATIONAL CHAMPION - SHIPPING, PORT POLICY& REGIONAL MARITIME POLICY REFORMS - MR. MAGNUS TEYE ADDICO

41. STRATEGIC CHAMPION - SHIPPER SERVICES AND INT. MARITIME LEGISLATIVE REFORMS - DR. KOFI MBIAH

42. PORT SECTOR REFORMS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION - MR. BEN OWUSU-MENSAH

43. COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AND PRIVATE SECTOR CHAMPION - ALHAJI ASUMA BANDA

44. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD - GHANA PORTS AND HABOUR AUTHORITY

45. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD - GHANA MARITIME AUTHORITY

46. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD - GHANA AIRPORTS COMPANY LIMITED

47. ANTI CORRUPTION CRUSADE - ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS