The Winning Streak...

Awards do not only acknowledge success for a particular area for which it was achieved; they recognize many other qualities: ability, struggle, effort and, above all, excellence. It re-energizes people involved promoting a real sense of achievement amongst everyone - wanting to come back again with something bigger and better. Accolades from one's peers can provide validation of an organisation's strategy, help set standards for the industry at large, and, on occasion, even change the way people think.

The awards have been in picture for a long time now. And they are no longer today restricted to a particular industry. Each and every sector has today realized the importance of giving recognition to the people running it. And the reason there are so many — and the reason they are important — is that people and organizations want and need recognition for their work. And it's not just vanity that is served. Awards help to inspire other people to do their best setting standards that competitors strive to match and exceed.

Like many other industries, the Awards for Maritime sector celebrate the success of Indian Maritime Industry against all odds. The awards are in recognition of the innovative and successful practices of the Indian maritime players which highlight the remarkable progress achieved by the Indian Maritime community which is now being recognised as a major player at the global level. The awards recognise individuals, businesses and other establishments of the sector for their leadership, innovation, commitment and best practices.

Gujarat Maritime Board has been getting noticed and recognized for its stupendous efforts in the maritime sector of the country. And with the risk of sounding a bit arrogant, we say; its been more than a few occasions !! Let's have a look.

The winning streak started with Gujarat Maritime Board being honoured with "Excellence Award" in the International Maritime Expo - INMEX 2007 held in October 2007 at Mumbai organized by Paradeep Deviah & Association Pvt Ltd. (PDA), Trade Fairs Group. The award was handed over by former Shipping Secretary, Mr D T Joseph to the then VC&CEO, GMB, Mr. H K Dash, IAS. Another feather in the cap was added during the tenure of Mr. H. K. Dash when GMB received the second award for "Outstanding Achievement for the best initiatives by the State in Maritime Sector" on February 15, 2008. The award was presented by Chemtech.

Maritime Gateway of India, a leading publication house honoured Gujarat Maritime Board with "Indian Maritime News Maker of the year 2008-09" Award for its significant role played in developing Gujarat Port Sector. The award was handed over to Mr. Pankaj Kumar IAS, VC&CEO, GMB by Mr K. Mohandas, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, in the function held on 11th December, 2009 at Mumbai.

'Indian Maritime News Maker of the year Award' is an individual award and nominations category for people and organization across ports, shipping or logistics industries that made news during a particular year for reasons like major business deals, acquisitions, mergers, new projects, policy changes and have made considerable impact in their business and industry. Gujarat Maritime Board won the above award for notable achievements during the year 2008-09 which included growth of traffic by 13% taking the capacity of Gujarat ports to a total of 224 MMTPA. On the projects front, bids of five new port viz. Sutrapada, Simar, Mahuva, Dahej and Khambhat were approved by State Government. Apart from the above, in-principle approvals to three important projects were also granted by Gujarat Maritime Board during the same year which were (i) Coal terminal at Mundra port for Ultra Mega Power Plant (ii) SPM at Bhogat to M/s. Cairn Energy for transportation of raw crude to Mangalore refinery through sea route, and (iii) SPM at Sikka for import of crude for Bina Refinery to M/s. Bharat Oman Refinery Ltd.

When such huge numbers of projects were awarded during the year 2008-09, it was bound to create a huge buzz amongst the industry, how could then GMB not have won the above award.

The same publication house - Maritime Gateway of India, honoured GMB again with "Special Jury Award" in function held on 12th November, 2010 at Mumbai. The 'Special Jury Award' was presented to GMB in the recognition of the leadership role of the Board in implementing 'Industry-friendly Policies' and for being the driving agent of Maritime Trade in the State. The award recognizes the sustained efforts of the Board in furthering 'Port Led Development' in the State of Gujarat.

It was learnt that the nominations were received for fourteen different categories and an independent panel of judges was constituted as Awards Committee with representatives from government departments, trade bodies, port authorities and also the editorial board members of Maritime Gateway magazine to evaluate nominations.

Adding to its winning streak, was an award by Chemtech Foundation and Jasubhai Media Group organized "Shipping, Marine & Ports - World Expo 2010"during March, 2010 at Mumbai, whereby GMB was honoured with "Best Initiative taken by a state in Maritime Industry". Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra State Shri Kateekal Sankaranarayanan presented the awards of thirteen different categories in the Ports, Marine & Shipping Sector, in the function held on 4th March, 2010 at Mumbai.

GMB was also presented with "Port Authority/ Maritime Board of the Year" award for its significant role played in developing Gujarat port sector in the Maritime and Logistics Awards (MALA) 2010 organized by EXIM India and Fairplay Exposition Group that was held on 30 September 2010 at Taj President, Mumbai.

There were more than 100 nominations received for these awards. For the award of "Port Authority/ Maritime Board of the Year", GMB was declared the winner, even though there were competing ports like Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Chennai Port Trust (ChPT). The award was handed over by Mr. S.S. Husain, Ex. Chairman, JNPT, in the presence of Dr. S.B. Agnihotri, Director General of Shipping, the Chief Guest of the Conference.

Receiving all the above awards, and getting noticed and recognized at a national level by various awarding agencies addresses the point that the country is watching us and appreciating the proactive governance, the timely implementation skills of the people governing it and the sheer will of the Government of Gujarat to truly identify with being the 'Maritime State' of the nation.