Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) took top honours at the 4th Annual Global Ports Forum Awards scooping several awards and a spot in the hall of fame.

The awards, which were held in Dubai recently, featured 53 categories recognising the valuable contributions of professionals in different areas of ports and terminals.

TNPA Chief Operating Officer, Phyllis Difeto clinched the award for Woman of the Year in Ports and Terminals and the Port of Richards Bay was acknowledged as Port/Terminal of the Year – Africa. The Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) won the category of Bulk Logistics Port / Terminal of the Year.

Meanwhile Transnet Group Chief Executive, Siyabonga Gama, received the Hall of Fame Award for his contribution to the global logistics industry.

Creating world –class ports

TNPA Chief Executive Shulami Qalinge said this global recognition was an affirmation of TNPA’s efforts to create world-class ports.

“South African ports owned by TNPA facilitate over 90% of South Africa’s global trade and are critical links in the shipping feeder network connecting the west and east coasts of Africa,” she noted.

“Winning these regional awards reinforces the successes of key elements of our operating strategy, which is geared towards the reduction of ship turnaround time, vessel waiting time and cargo dwell times, as well as to the better utilisation of port assets – thereby reducing port costs,” she added.

Qalinge praised Difeto and the Port of Richards Bay for flying the TNPA flag high.

The Port of Richards Bay, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016/17, has earned other accolades recently including the Top Performance Award at the 2016 Transnet Group Chief Executive’s Awards.