Sharjah-UAE: – Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator, won the ‘Corporate Health and Wellness Initiative’ category at the Daman Corporate Health Awards 2017. The company earned recognition for its corporate well-being programme, Positive Pulse, that seeks to enhance employee engagement through promoting a healthy lifestyle.

In line with the efforts of the UAE’s Ministry of Happiness, Gulftainer’s Positive Pulse highlights the tangible benefits a happy and healthy work environment can bring to companies. 

Positive Pulse encompasses a range of activities focused on health and fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and team-building. Since its implementation in February 2017, the programme has had a widespread positive impact on employee well-being. According to a survey of the participants, 30 per cent of employees have consulted a dietician since the launch of Positive Pulse, while 20 per cent of those who did not participate in any regular physical activity have started exercising. In addition, 10 per cent of smokers have now quit the habit.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Sarmad Tiwana, Group HR Head at Gulftainer, said: “Employee happiness and engagement is a priority for us at Gulftainer. A healthier workforce is not only happier and more motivated but also more productive. Through Positive Pulse, we have instituted wellness as a core component of our corporate culture. We are proud to have gained recognition for our efforts in this regard.” 

Speaking on the achievement, Flemming Dalgaard, CEO of Gulftainer, said: “This award is unlike any other accolade Gulftainer has ever received. Positive Pulse has clearly demonstrated that investing in the well-being of our employees has benefits not just for the company, but also for the people on a personal level. The overwhelming success of the programme has motivated us to implement a company-wide Happiness and Well-being Policy that lays the institutional foundation for building a happier and healthier work environment.”

Organised annually by MEED, the region’s leading business intelligence provider, the Daman Corporate Health Awards recognise outstanding achievements in promoting well-being in the workplace. An expert panel of judges selected the 2017 winners from 48 finalists across 11 categories.

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About Gulftainer
Gulftainer is the world’s largest privately owned independent port operator. Established in the emirate of Sharjah in 1976, the rapidly expanding ports and logistics company has built up a strong presence in various parts of the world. Gulftainer won the 'Technology Implementation of the Year' category in the Logistics Middle East Awards 2017. In 2016 and 2017, The Seatrade Maritime Awards named Gulftainer the Terminal Operator of the Year in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa region

In the UAE, the company operates three main ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority – Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) and Hamriyah Port. Its flagship terminal, KCT, was recognised by the Journal of Commerce as the fastest terminal in the MENA region and the third-fastest in the world.

Outside the UAE, the Gulftainer Group operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several countries including Iraq (Iraq Container Terminal, Iraq Project Terminal and Umm Qasr Logistics Centre), Pakistan (GTL-MTI), Brazil (Recife Port), Lebanon (Tripoli Container Terminal) and Turkey (Momentum Logistics). In Saudi Arabia, Gulftainer acquired a 51 per cent stake in Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in June 2013, and operates the Northern Container Terminal in Jeddah, Jubail Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port. The company’s latest facility, Canaveral Cargo Terminal in Florida, USA, opened in June 2015 following the signing of a 35-year agreement that made Gulftainer the first port management company from the Middle East to operate in the United States. 

Currently handling an annual throughput of 6.4 million TEUs, Gulftainer aims to expand its global portfolio in the next 10 years to triple business volume worldwide to more than 10,000 vessel calls and triple container handling to 18 million TEUs. For further details, please visit www.gulftainer.com.   

For further information, please contact:
Kathryn Bradley
PR and Communications Manager 
Gulftainer
Tel: +9716 5128888
Email: Kbradley@gulftainer.com

Christy Abraham
APCO Worldwide
Tel: +971 55 134 2859
Email: cabraham@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2017