CSA News
THE PORT OF Bridgetown, Barbados, was named 'Best Multi-purpose Port' and Manzanillo International Terminal in Panama was named the 'Best Container Terminal' in the Caribbean.
The winners of this annual competition, held by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), were announced at the association's 34th annual banquet on October 19 in Cartagena, Colombia.
The port award committee, after several hours of deliberation, selected the two Caribbean ports named the best in the region for 2004, based on the performance of the ports in the calendar year 2003.
The Caribbean ports of the year award recognises those ports in the region that have achieved high levels of excellence in the delivery of sea port services, according to criteria approved by the General Council of the CSA.
This year, there were six entries for the title 'Best Multi-purpose Port' in the Caribbean and three entries for the 'Best Container Terminal' award.
Of the nine entries submitted, two could not be judged as those ports did not comply with the rules established for the competition.
HIGH QUALITY
The judges were generally pleased with the quality of port services being delivered by Caribbean ports and in this regard made special mention of the improved security arrangements implemented across the Caribbean. They also commented on the attention and resources being dedicated to training and human resource development.
Captain Johan Bjorksten, chairman of the port award committee, in announcing the awards, said, "This augurs well for the future of Caribbean shipping."
