01 June 2010
MUSCAT -- Port Services Corporation (PSC), which operates and manages Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, on Sunday honoured leading members of the shipping and port user community who had made a significant contribution to PSC's business during 2009.
Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), was the Guest of Honour at the annual event, held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Also present were a number of senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Saud bin Ahmed al Nahari, Chief Executive of Port Services Corporation, and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Mohammed Jawad bin Hassan bin Suleiman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PSC, listed a number of key developments of 2009, notably the implementation of a new advanced computer system, dubbed CATOS, covering all areas of port operations and financial transactions.
CATOS, along with the implementation of an EDI and computerised documentation services, has helped streamline procedures for users, he said.
Among other highlights of the year, PSC was named the Most Efficient Port Services Company for the second consecutive year in 2009 during the Sea Trade Cruise Conference. Saud al Nahari, CEO, was also honoured with the title of 'Personality of the Year 2009' by the Arab Sea Ports Federation, a subsidiary of the Arab League.
Speaking on behalf of the port user community, P K Mohan, General Manager of Sea Land Shipping and Logistics LLC, commented on the "difficult time" through which the shipping and maritime industry is currently passing through in the wake of the global financial meltdown.
"There is an estimated 20 per cent reduction in fleet size in the world shipping industry. This was part of the desperate attempt by shipowners and liner operators to hold costs and manage the show, without affecting their bottom line. Indeed, it was a tall order. Liners lost money and minimised loses by reducing their fleets, changing trade lanes and joining hands with fellow operators through space sharing. We saw a similar reduction in port calls to Omani ports too," Mohan said.
The line-up of awardees is as follows:
Outstanding contribution to PSC's turnover: 1st -- Maersk Shipping, 2nd -- Bhacker Haji Abdullatif Fazul, and 3rd -- Gulf Agency Co; Outstanding Efforts in Promoting PSC Business: 1st -- Khimji Shipping, 2nd -- Sharaf Shipping, and 3rd -- Al Fayha Shipping; Achieving Significant Growth at PSC: 1st -- Badar Shipping, 2nd -- Eint Shipping, and 3rd -- Atlas Shipping; Vehicle Importers: 1st -- Saud Bahwan Automotive, 2nd -- OTE, and 3rd -- Suhail Bahwan Automobiles; Top Ten Container Importers: Saud Bahwan Automotive, Oman Foodstuff, Oman Cables, Khimji Ramdas, Al Jebali Trading, Daewoo Engineering, Al Khan Foodstuff, Teeba National, OMASCO, and Oman Flour Mills; Top Container Exporters: Al Tamman Trading, Oman Foodstuff, International Marble, Al Nasr Trading, Gulf Triangle Mining, Omani Marble, Al Habib Steel, Al Anwar Ceramic, Shell Oman, and Modern Steel Mills; Top General Cargo Importers: Al Khalili & Sons, Bahwan Building Materials, and Intisar Corporation; Top Bulk Cargo Importers: Raysut Cement, Oman Cement, and Areej Vegetable oils; Top Project Cargo Importers: Galfar, Occidental Oman, ORPC, PDO and Oman Cement; and Top Cruise Agents: Khimji Shipping, GAC, Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo and Towell Barwil.
MUSCAT -- Port Services Corporation (PSC), which operates and manages Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, on Sunday honoured leading members of the shipping and port user community who had made a significant contribution to PSC's business during 2009.
Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), was the Guest of Honour at the annual event, held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Also present were a number of senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Saud bin Ahmed al Nahari, Chief Executive of Port Services Corporation, and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Mohammed Jawad bin Hassan bin Suleiman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PSC, listed a number of key developments of 2009, notably the implementation of a new advanced computer system, dubbed CATOS, covering all areas of port operations and financial transactions.
CATOS, along with the implementation of an EDI and computerised documentation services, has helped streamline procedures for users, he said.
Among other highlights of the year, PSC was named the Most Efficient Port Services Company for the second consecutive year in 2009 during the Sea Trade Cruise Conference. Saud al Nahari, CEO, was also honoured with the title of 'Personality of the Year 2009' by the Arab Sea Ports Federation, a subsidiary of the Arab League.
Speaking on behalf of the port user community, P K Mohan, General Manager of Sea Land Shipping and Logistics LLC, commented on the "difficult time" through which the shipping and maritime industry is currently passing through in the wake of the global financial meltdown.
"There is an estimated 20 per cent reduction in fleet size in the world shipping industry. This was part of the desperate attempt by shipowners and liner operators to hold costs and manage the show, without affecting their bottom line. Indeed, it was a tall order. Liners lost money and minimised loses by reducing their fleets, changing trade lanes and joining hands with fellow operators through space sharing. We saw a similar reduction in port calls to Omani ports too," Mohan said.
The line-up of awardees is as follows:
Outstanding contribution to PSC's turnover: 1st -- Maersk Shipping, 2nd -- Bhacker Haji Abdullatif Fazul, and 3rd -- Gulf Agency Co; Outstanding Efforts in Promoting PSC Business: 1st -- Khimji Shipping, 2nd -- Sharaf Shipping, and 3rd -- Al Fayha Shipping; Achieving Significant Growth at PSC: 1st -- Badar Shipping, 2nd -- Eint Shipping, and 3rd -- Atlas Shipping; Vehicle Importers: 1st -- Saud Bahwan Automotive, 2nd -- OTE, and 3rd -- Suhail Bahwan Automobiles; Top Ten Container Importers: Saud Bahwan Automotive, Oman Foodstuff, Oman Cables, Khimji Ramdas, Al Jebali Trading, Daewoo Engineering, Al Khan Foodstuff, Teeba National, OMASCO, and Oman Flour Mills; Top Container Exporters: Al Tamman Trading, Oman Foodstuff, International Marble, Al Nasr Trading, Gulf Triangle Mining, Omani Marble, Al Habib Steel, Al Anwar Ceramic, Shell Oman, and Modern Steel Mills; Top General Cargo Importers: Al Khalili & Sons, Bahwan Building Materials, and Intisar Corporation; Top Bulk Cargo Importers: Raysut Cement, Oman Cement, and Areej Vegetable oils; Top Project Cargo Importers: Galfar, Occidental Oman, ORPC, PDO and Oman Cement; and Top Cruise Agents: Khimji Shipping, GAC, Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo and Towell Barwil.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
