PRESS RELEASES

PORTS & CARGO EMPLOY A NEW TECHNICAL MANAGER
In a bid to improve the state and maintain an uninterrupted functionality of our equipment, to ensure top of the range services to our numerous customers, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (A member of Sifax Group) recently, brought into her technical team, Eric B. Corpuz Jr. a graduate of University of San Sebastian, Manila, Philippines.

Eric has cognate experience of almost 20 years in technical services that have taken him to Philippines, Ghana and Nigeria with reputable companies like Kalmar West Africa; Soland Power System in Philippines; Citi-motors, Mitsubishi in Philippines and KWA Services, Ghana amongst others, from where he joined Ports & Cargo Handling Services limited as the new Technical manager. He is happily married.

REDEPLOYMENT IN SIFAXGROUP In view of the recent growth and expansion in the organization, the under-stated change in the management structure of the group had been made to meet with the attendant challenges so that we will continue to deliver excellent services to our numerous customers all over the world in all areas of our operations viz: Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe former Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company limited (A member of SIFAX GROUP) has been re-deployed to the Group Head Office as the DIRECTOR OF PROJECT / GROUP SERVICES.

FG Adopts Port Concession: The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed the popular position of the majority of practitioners in the maritime sub-sector of the economy and Nigerians at large that the concession of terminal operations to Ports and Cargo Handling Services and other private operators to run was a laudable decision. The President of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Yar’ Adua expressed happiness with the level of progress that has been made in development of port facilities in Nigeria during the period the private terminal operators were in control of operations at the ports.

The president was speaking at the formal commissioning ceremony of APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The President said that he was impressed with the progress that has been made so far.
At the Port and Cargo Handling Services terminal C at Tin Can Island Port in Apapa, Lagos, discharge rate of cargo from ships has greatly improved, the Terminal has attained the ability to get cargo out of the terminal within 2 – 3 days of the berthing of the ship. This has also improved vessel turnaround and massively saving costs in demurrage, surcharge and related costs associated with delay in discharging of vessels and delivery of cargo.

The management of the terminal is still working hard to meet even better targets. To achieve this the company acquires more modern cargo handling equipment and facility with advanced capabilities to meet all customers’ and shareholders’ expectations and provide a safe and secure working environment for all personnel.

Sifax and Social Responsibility: Sifax Group recently hosted orphan children of the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF) orphanage home. The children, more than 50 in number had a fun-filled day as the terminal operator took them round its head office in Apapa and thereafter toured them around the port where they are operating at RORO port in Tin Can Island, Lagos. The Managing Director of Sifax Group, Dr. Afolabi is also the founder of the AAAF orphanage home, which he set up in memory of his late mother, Alhaja Ajoke. Spokesman of the Sifax Group, Mr. Oliver Omajuwa told newsmen that hosting the orphans was part of the company’s activities to add smiles to the faces of motherless children. The image-maker who led the children round Sifax facilities noted that hosting the children was worth doing. Some of the placards displayed by the children read “stop child abuse, care for the orphans”, among others.

The AAAF was inaugurated on January 5th 2008 as an orphanage home. Mr. Omajuwa said that the Foundation essentially organizes and provides for the abandoned children and less privileged persons, provide home and education for the less privileged, bring together family unity and ensure that donations are channeled to the appropriate usage, among others.

Some of the children said that AAAF has contributed immensely to their growth. The Special Assistant, Administration to the Group Managing Director, Barrister Ezekiel Ajewole, who represented the Sifax boss, said that there are thousands of children out in the streets due to neglect and abandonment by their parents or guardians. He added that at the end of the excursion, the experience will create a lasting impression in the minds of the children about the firm. He disclosed that Sifax Shipping Company Limited has spent about six million naira to improve conditions of widows and less privileged children in the last one year. Speaking further, Barrister Ajewole stated that 25 children and 15 widows had so far benefited from the Foundation adding that Sifax would employ some of these children after their education. The coordinator of the Foundation, Pastor Emmanuel Alao expressed gratitude to Sifax for the reception accorded them.

Ports and Cargo: An Expression of Terminal Operations Excellence: With the concession of the terminals in Nigerian ports to private operators, the challenges of building and sustaining efficient operations, framework and schemes that will stand the test of time and break through in competition could only be achieved by conscious and dynamic organizations that look into the future with eye of edge in competence, resourcefulness and capacity building, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited is one among the few indigenous concessionaires in the industry that has stood out with touch of class and excellence as an award winning operator.

The company is a member of Sifax Group with tested competence in port operations. Managed by a team of professionals with proven track records and resourceful personnel base with drive to achieve goals, the company aims at operating efficient, simplified, but comprehensive shipping network. This is achieved by employing functional multimodal systems that meet timely needs of its global clientele.

As a company of the new age, Ports and Cargo Handling Services constantly sets its eyes on ways to enhance the company’s position as a leader in global port operations and related services and to remain tall in a world of competition and dynamism, taking advantage of its competent, highly motivated and professional workforce, supported by its prolific Information Technology base. The company has been recognized locally and internationally for quality service and customer satisfaction because of its cost effective services, multimodal capabilities and global coverage, as well as reliability of its processes merged with efficient and speedy delivery of goods and services.

One-Stop Shop of Shipping Services at Sifax Shipping: Venturing into the international business of shipping, the management of Sifax Group had in view the building and operating of a prolific organization renowned for quality service in a single unit of comprehensive and all embracing shipping package.The reputable indigenous shipping company has maintained focus and concentration in pursuing the vision to develop and run a one-stop shop organization for shipping.

Today, the global clientele of the Group are reaping the efficient shipping services at competitive costs. Value added services of the Group now includes door to door delivery that has promoted speed, efficiency and security of cargoes, while cutting on costs both in import and export trade. Operations have become easier as the company has its hands in various arms of shipping and this has been coordinated in a functional network for clients’ satisfaction.

Ports and Cargo has within few years of operations transformed its system into a responsive global network with its offices springing up in different parts of the world. In line with global reach, expertise and expansion, the company has harmonized its technical affiliation with renowned global terminal operators and shipping companies, which has helped widen the company’s horizon of operations to achieve door to door delivery.

While continually improving on existing systems, the organizational strategy is channeled to significantly focus on shaping the supply chain of freight and shipping logistics to meet global best standards. This projection is achieved by employing most functional and recent technology in terminal operations, communications and information systems and providing value-added services through a total package and one-stop approach. Through these carefully coordinated systems, the company has built a towering global image in shipping and terminal operations ahead of all rivalry.

As a giant in Nigeria and the West and Central Africa in the shipping industry, Ports and Cargo Handling Services has earned reputation built on a culture of excellence and dedication and as a corporate body; it strives to add value to the economy of the nation in various ways. The organization has at all times shown that it is awake to the needs of its immediate environment, the society and the larger world.

The Best Terminal Operator: Less than two years into its operations of Terminal C at Tin Can Island Port in Apapa, Nigeria, Ports and Cargo Handling Services has changed the face of the terminal for more functional operations.
Most of the operations have become computerized and faster and the physical structures at the terminal are wearing good looks. The terminal operator has generally been acclaimed the best operator in terms of improvement, quality service delivery and competitiveness.

These and other objective assessments were made among all operators in Nigeria and Ports and Cargo was chosen and awarded the prestigious Indigenous Terminal Operator of the Year 2007 by Maritime Nigeria Journal. Apart from terminal services, the family of Ports and Cargo is also into various shipping services including export, warehousing, haulage, cargo consolidation, grouping services, import financing, stevedoring, as well as comprehensive freight forwarding services. Other services provided are security and plant hire.

The transformation physical structures, plant and equipment into ultra-modern facilities has attracted the accolades of port users and has given credibility to the Federal Government’s policy of port concession. The quays and surfaces have been receiving regular attention, as re-surfacing and de-greasing of terminal have become a routine. The terminal is fully equipped with all security facilities and perimeter fencing in line with the International Ship and Port-facility Security Code.

Efficiency in Docklabour Services: The handling of the human elements for efficient shipping operations has always been critical as all over the world labour unrest and strikes could paralyze operations despite the sophistication in plant and machinery. That is why Sifax Group gives the required attention to its Stevedoring department so that all labour requirements will always be timely met.

The Stevedoring arm of the Group has come up with efficient labour package that ensures that dockworkers are well remunerated, as optimum incentives have been attached to work productivity. A carefully formulated payment by tonnage pattern, peculiar to the terminal is employed to remunerate the dockworkers, who are earning very high wages presently.

Apart from a dedicated stevedoring canteen, all other facilities have been put in place for convenience for the dockworkers. This is why Sifax Group has a complementary workforce for its high technology and modern facilities.

“Our Security is Second to Non in the Industry” Safety and security are about the most important things in shipping and Sifax Group is not unaware of this and that is why in its uniqueness, the company provides comprehensive security. The terminal is both ISPS and PICCOM compliant and certified. According to the spokesman of Ports and Cargo, Mr. Olivre Omajuwa, “we can confidently say with all modesty that our security is second to non in the industry. Aside the regular uniformed security men, we also have bow and arrow men that man both the waterfront and the cargo terminal”. He further said that the terminal recently discharged a whole vessel of rice without recording a loss.

More Cargo Handling Gears… Looking back at May, 2006 when Ports and Cargo started operations of Terminal C at Tin Can Island Port, one sees landmark achievements. With computerized working environment that includes container tracking and management, as well as, ship planning systems, the operator has readily redefined shipping and terminal operations in Nigeria.

The company has been investing heavily in terminal handling equipment. It recently acquired 75 different plants and equipment for effective terminal operations, as well as 21 heavy-duty trucks for cargo haulage to ensure cargo security and to facilitate the speed of goods delivery from its terminal.

These equipment and plants include container stackers, forklifts, fixed and semi-auto container spreaders, cranes and terminal tractors of KALMAR, HYSTER, CATRACOM, STINIS, NISSAN, LIEBHAR, among others of various capacity. It will be recalled that Ports and Cargo, some months ago made history by acquiring and commissioning for use two LHM (400) cranes, with exceptional container handling capabilities, first of its kind in Nigeria. The newly acquired equipment at the Ports and Cargo Handling Services terminal are the latest models. Equipment acquisition and upgrading to most modern and functional ones are part of the culture and policy of all the subsidiary companies of Sifax Group