|
Roger Hinds, President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, 2009 – 2010
Roger Hinds, the new president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), will be the man at the helm in the year that the SAJ celebrates its 70th Anniversary. Confident of the potential of the Port of Kingston, Hinds states unequivocally, “the SAJ has to lead the change, because we have been competing with the rest of the world for decades and we know what it takes to win!”
The name “Roger Hinds” is one of those most closely associated with the future of shipping in Jamaica. Through passion and commitment to professionalism and leading always by example, he challenges and inspires those with whom he works both in his business, Transocean Shipping Limited (TSL), and in the SAJ.
Hinds started out as a journalist in Barbados but made a shift to Jamaica and the maritime sector in 1982. Transocean Shipping Limited was established in April of that year and Hinds assumed responsibility for the operational portfolio of the company. By 1993 he assumed full responsibility as TSL’s Managing Director and became its Chief executive Officer. It was under that the company acquired its own property at 90-92 First Street in Newport West and refurbished a building formerly operated as an industrial laundry.
With an insightful vision, Hinds built on the foundation of the successful agency and stevedoring activities to found Transport Logistics Limited and Marine Haulage Services Limited with a view to providing full logistics and supply chain management services. Never satisfied with less than the best effort, he subscribes to and requires of others a willingness to think creatively, pay consistent attention to detail and embrace a commitment to leading change.
The steady growth of TSL and the role Hinds now plays in plotting a course for the industry are evidence of his keen acumen. He has served three terms as Vice President of the SAJ and will begin his Presidential tenure on January 2, 2009.
With regard to the current economic crisis, Hinds says:
“These are testing times, but it forces us to be clear on who we are and what we are about. We have to maintain our relevance as the situation changes and we have a strong foundation on which to build. I want all our members and stakeholders to participate in our creation of a new vision we can all work toward. We have to think beyond trans-shipment and also embrace the vision of Kingston as a distribution and logistics hub that offers value-added services to cargo from China to the Americas.”
The incoming SAJ President expresses his interest in continuing the efforts at establishing a Port Community System and in developing an Industrial Park in Newport West. “The strengthening and broadening of partnerships is crucial to all our future plans”, Hinds states. He is confident that workers, employers, trade unions, and all stakeholders in both the private and public sectors will come to a deeper appreciation of the mutually beneficial relationship they share in the shipping industry.
Hinds continues to serve on the Board of Directors of, and is Company Secretary for, the Kingston Wharves Group, (Terminal Operators at Berths 1-9 Port Bustamante). He also serves on the boards of: Port Computer Services, Assessment Recoveries Limited (an agency established for the collection of demurrage and detention) and Amalgamated Stevedores Limited (local partners of port management entity AP Moller, responsible for the management of Kingston’s container terminal).
The new president also serves as Chairman of the Board of City Insurance Brokers, a recently established insurance brokerage firm.
The Shipping Association of Jamaica welcomes our new President, Mr. Roger Hinds, as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary and work toward another 70 years of outstanding achievements.
President's New Year's message 2010
After riding challenges, new year brings renewed hope
In the last year, the local shipping industry faced what seemed like a storm as the global recession threw high waves of challenges from all directions. Staying afloat was not an easy task but I am proud to say the shipping industry is doing everything in its power to weather the storm.
There are many positives to take from this experience. Already, I am seeing positive signs of unity among key partners and industry stakeholders. This will be essential for establishing a cohesive framework for growth and will undoubtedly send an important signal to the industry, regarding the relevance of team-work at all levels. While innovative ideas to grow the industry continue to emerge, businesses are restructuring and diversifying to maintain their relevance.
Despite the financial losses, there is hope for the future. Without a doubt, 2010 will bring with it a new set of challenges but, as Jamaicans, we have consistently distinguished ourselves by performing at the highest level at home and on the world stage, even in adverse conditions.
History is replete with examples of this. We have the capacity, resilience, determination, skills and brilliance to transform this industry. I remain passionate in my belief that this industry will grow. However, this will only happen when we are successful in building efficiencies in each small department and in each small operation. Increased efficiencies will lead to cost reductions, which will permit us to diversify our range of products, add greater value to our customers and thereby position ourselves to explore and attract new business.
I am well aware that this is easier said than done. Hence 2010 should be a year of careful planning and execution. To this end, we must stay the course to achieve the objectives outlined in the last year. This includes establishing the port community system, which will form the foundation of the trade facilitation framework. Establishing this System takes time and careful examination. I implore you to stay onboard with us as we work out the idiosyncrasies of this single window for the industry.
The safety and security of all those who work and do business on the port of Kingston remains high on the agenda and, as such, the association remains committed to working with industry partners to transform Newport West into a gated community. Already, mobile patrols of the community have commenced. Improving the road structure of the community is our next step, which will propel the project into reality.
As The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) continues to redefine its relevance, it will assume the responsibility of delegated authority, on behalf of the Port Authority of Jamaica, to register truckers who do business at the island's two major ports. We embrace this opportunity to serve and look forward to building new relationships through this process.
To the staff of The SAJ, I am proud of your contribution every single day, but moreso in what was a very trying year. You have helped this group of organisations to achieve greatly and you have demonstrated your capacity to achieve more for our business with fewer resources. Many of you took it as a personal challenge to contribute ideas that made us more viable, more relevant and therefore more sustainable.
Many of you went beyond ideas and took on new challenges without asking for additional short-term personal rewards because you have bought in to the vision of the leadership of the association.
Your efforts have demonstrated that you have seen the importance of building a future for the industry and, therefore, for yourselves. We have been blessed with many successes as a result and our port is relying more on us to support its development. We are spread very thinly across many functions, some of which are newly created as a result of the dynamism and successful delivery of creative solutions to this industry.
I thank you in advance for the dedication that I know you will continue to show in 2010 and beyond. I look forward to working with you all toward the development of our association and the shipping industry.
To our members, partners and stakeholders in the industry, I thank you for sharing your ideas and not jumping ship when the waters got rough. You have been the driving force behind The SAJ's thrust to create a sustainable business environment.
The new year will definitely bring opportunities. It is important that we have the courage to embrace them.
All the best for 2010 and beyond.
- Roger Hinds
| 
