KWL cops two prestigious OAS-CIP awards

Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) has copped two prestigious awards from the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) of the Organization of American States (OAS) as the organisation celebrates the 10th anniversary of the awards. They are the 2024 Maritime Award of the Americas, in the category of Port Security and Risk Management, and the other for Outstanding Woman in the Port and Maritime Sectors won by Valrie Campbell, KWL’s general manager of group operations.

CEO of Kingston Wharves Mark Williams expressed appreciation to the OAS-CIP for recognition, noting, “We are honoured by these two significant awards from the OAS-CIP that have validated the tremendous investment we make in our people, plant and processes for enhanced customer service delivery and operational efficiency. These awards are also important as they come just a few years after the OAS-CIP awarded KWL the 2021 Port Industry Award of Excellence, in the category of Technology and Innovation,” he said.

A letter from the OAS-CIP noted that the award for security and risk management was given for KWL’s commitment to safeguarding port facilities, enhancing security risk assessments, and bolstering measures to mitigate threats. “The award in the category of security and risk management is awarded to the port that demonstrates excellence and efficiency in mitigating physical threats and managing risks in an integral manner to promote business continuity,” the OAS-CIP noted.

The OAS-CIP disclosed that some 20 nominations were received from seven countries in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, adding, “In all cases, the entries demonstrated commitment to the integral development of the maritime-port sector in the respective countries.”

In 2019, Kingston Wharves implemented the US$2-million security enhancement project – the Integrated Electronic Security Management System – with cess funding from the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ). The programme has yielded significant electronic security solutions for surveillance and access control.

Williams thanked the PAJ, Jamaica Customs Agency, the police, KWL’s own Security Administrators Limited and other local and international bodies for the partnership that continues to bolster security on the Port of Kingston.

In relation to the award to Valrie Campbell, who has worked with KWL for over 20 years, the OAS-CIP noted that the 2024 Outstanding Woman in the Maritime and Port Sectors was awarded to the person who demonstrated leadership and dedication through significant achievements, as well as professional contributions to the development of the maritime and port sectors in the Americas.

Congratulating Campbell on the award, Williams thanked her for her tremendous leadership and commitment to the growth and development of the company and the Terminal Division in particular. “Valrie is a pioneer in the field who is consistent in excellence and commitment. Her personal journey is inspiring, and she stands out as a role model for young persons, aspiring to make a difference. All of us at KWL are immensely proud of her achievements.”

The awards ceremony will be held on November 7 at the 5th Hemispheric Seminar on Public Policies, Legislation and Regulation in Guatemala City, Guatemala.