Barbados Port Inc. has won the highly coveted Ludlow Stewart Container Port of the Year 2023 award at the Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) 53rd annual general meeting, conference, and exhibition gala on Tuesday (October 24).

The gala, hosted by the Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain, was a grand celebration of excellence in the Caribbean shipping and port industry. The prestigious Ludlow Stewart Container Port of the Year recognition signifies the exceptional commitment and dedication of Barbados Port to providing stellar services and maintaining high industry standards.

Port award chairman Roland Malins-Smith explained that “all entrants demonstrated outstanding performance in the category of industrial relations. Sixty percent of the participating ports recorded a remarkable reduction or, in some cases, no accidents at all. This exceptional safety record reflects the commitment of Caribbean ports to maintaining a safe and reliable work environment in the region.”

Strides made in port security

Notably, most ports increased their investments in security, compared to the previous year, underlining their commitment to safeguarding assets and ensuring the well-being of all stakeholders. In the category of environmental sustainability, seven ports earned full marks with Martinique, Guadeloupe and Barbados leading the way in environmental protection and conservation. 

These ports have set an inspiring example for the industry by implementing sustainable practices that minimize their environmental footprint. Malins-Smith highlighted the impressive strides made in promoting gender diversity within the industry. 

Nine ports increased their proportional employment of women, which is a promising sign of progress toward creating a more inclusive and diverse maritime workforce. The top five ports all scored within a 10-point margin of each other, showcasing the remarkable standard of the regional maritime sector.

In addition to Barbados Port’s victory, there was a tie for second place, shared by the Port of Cartagena Group and last year’s winner, Havenbeheer Paramaribo. Rounding out the top five were the Guadeloupe Port Authority and Hutchinson Ports PPC.

Giving back to the community

The gala served not only as a platform for recognizing the outstanding performance of Caribbean ports but also as a means of giving back to the community. Through the event, US$76,000 was raised to support the Frank Wellnitz Training Programme, a vital initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of future maritime professionals. 

Additionally, the event saw the participation of Delroy Matherson, a cadet at the Caribbean Maritime University, and the most recent recipient of the CSA’s Monica Silvera Scholarship. The gala was the culmination of two days of informative and engaging conference panels that addressed crucial industry topics, including decarbonisation, navigating supply chain challenges, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and cruise shipping. 

These discussions provided a platform for industry leaders to share insights, exchange ideas, and chart the course for the future of the Caribbean shipping and port sector.