The year 2009 marks an important milestone for the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ).

It is the year when the association celebrates 70 years of excellent service to the local and regional shipping industry and the growth and development of Jamaica's economy.

As we celebrate our achievements, we are mindful of the fact that a global economic crisis looms over us and that the year ahead could be one of the most challenging in the history of Jamaica's shipping industry.

I take the helm of the association during a period of great change and it is my hope to work with the managing committee and members of the association to redefine its relevance for the future and during this period of domestic and global economic slowdown.

As we forge ahead, we will transform our challenges into opportunities by building on the foundation of past presidents and members of the SAJ's managing committee.

Training

A part of the transformation will be the continuation of the dynamic training programme for all our staff, to ensure that they continue to be world class and prepared for the demands of the logistics hub that will be the future of our port.

Plans are already in place to start an extensive training exercise at the end of this month. All standards for the programme have been written and assessors trained.

Stevedores participating in the programme will receive certification from the HEART Trust/National Training Agency's national vocational training department.

Already, I have had several intensive meetings with the management of the SAJ and as this message goes to print, we are conducting meetings with the administrative and portworker staff to discuss and share my vision and to solicit their input, support and commitment for the future.

Building on our transshipment hub success, I support the 2030 Vision advanced by the Government, to transform Jamaica into a major logistics and distribution hub.

However, in order to increase our attractiveness in this regard, we must develop a wide range of value-added services as we market ourselves to shipping lines as well as global retailers that move cargo from the far East producers to consumers in the Americas.

Successfully implemented, this vision should result in the growth of our industry and the provision of additional job opportunities for our people. However, for this to happen, all stakeholders and members of the SAJ will have to embrace the vision.

Partnerships

The SAJ will continue to strengthen and broaden strategic partnerships in order to achieve this vision.

To this end, the SAJ will revitalise the wharf and port users committee to ensure that all port users receive the best possible service in a safe and secure environment.

I am confident that workers, employers, trade unions, and all other stakeholders in both the private and public sectors will come to a deeper appreciation of the mutually beneficial relationship they all share in the shipping industry.

PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEM

I pledge to continue the work of my predecessor in forging ahead with plans to implement a port community system in Jamaica.

A team comprising shipping industry stakeholders and the Government has met with two providers of the system and it is our hope that in 2009 the implementation process will commence.

We will also continue with plans to develop Newport West into an industrial park that will be a safe haven for all the stakeholders operating in the community.

By the end of this month, work should begin on fixing the roads and drains in the community.

As soon as this work is completed, a committee will be established to monitor the maintenance and security of the area, for the benefit of users and stakeholders in the community.

Overseas opportunities

In the latter part of last year, the Ministry of Labour invited stakeholders in the shipping industry to become agents of the ministry, in an effort to explore job opportunities in the sector, beyond Jamaica's shores.

The invitation was based on a letter written to the minister by the SAJ's management team, offering its expertise in training.

We will continue to work with the Government with the hope of developing a more skilled and versatile workforce that will be internationally recognised and ready to grasp opportunities in overseas markets.

The future

We fully acknowledge that the way forward will be difficult, but we are confident that, based on our history and the vibrancy and determination of the Jamaican people, we will be more than able to meet the challenges with success.

We have the vision, team, expertise, determination and courage to succeed. We will be moving full steam ahead with a burning desire to translate our vision into a reality.

- Roger HindsPresident, Shipping Association of Jamaica