Thakur THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica comprises more than 60 member-companies. In the coming weeks, we will feature some of our members as they undergo changes and further development. Below is the first article on the Caribbean Maritime Services, which has been a member of the SAJ since 1995.
Having surmounted many obstacles, including the tragedy of losing its founder to the hands of criminals in 1994, Caribbean Maritime Services Limited, a local shipping agent and bunker trading company established on March 18, 1991 is celebrating 10 years of existence.
Now, the company epitomises a dream once held by the late Joseph G. W Thakur, a dream being propelled into realisation by his wife, Kala Thakur, who had previously played a minor role in the daily running of the company until the death of her husband.
Located at 57A East Queen Street, and directed by a small full-time staff of merely four persons, the company continues to chart a path for itself in the local shipping industry, seeking to grab a larger share of the bunker market in Central America and the Caribbean.
Instead of being dejected and discouraged after her husband's death, Mrs. Thakur drew on inner strength and a burning desire to keep her husband's dream alive, taking the lead role in the company and building on the foundation her husband laid, despite the odds. This placed her in the ranks of the few women heading companies in the local shipping industry.
"Until 1994 the business was growing steadily. Then we suffered a set back when he was brutally murdered.... I used to work part-time in this business but after his death I took over from October 1, 1994. In the beginning I was inexperienced and we suffered losses from 1994 1997. However from 1998 business has started growing again," said Mrs. Thakur in a recent interview.
"Eighty to eighty-five per cent of our income is from bunker. We used to supply bunker only in Kingston in the beginning but in recent years we have been supplying in all ports in Jamaica. Since last year, we have been supplying bunker in other Caribbean countries," the managing director explained.
Currently, the company supplies bunker in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and plans to establish new relationships for expansion.
"I want to develop more contacts so we can expand...Also, I want to get more shipping business," said the managing director, who feels that in today's age of Information Technology, the size of an office or staff is insignificant.
Commenting on the future of the local shipping industry and how her company fits into this picture, Mrs. Thakur said: "the shipping industry in Jamaica has a bright future because Kingston is strategically situated on the north/south and east/west axis. We supply very good quality bunker. If we acquire barge and supply bunker by barge, we can supply mega vessel and also if our prices are competitive".
"We can further develop bunker industry and other service industries. We can reach far and provide more jobs in the shipping industry for our young people," she added.
