KPA awards Kenya's number 1 Exporter

The awards included 77 participants from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and DR Congo from the East African region.

Kenya-based Del Monte Foods, Inc emerged as the country's Exporter of the Year.

Siginon Group's Bollore Transports & Logistics won the Best Cargo Transporter and Best Regional Cargo Logistics Provider as well as the award for best practice in Occupational Health & Safety. The Group was awarded Best Warehousing Company overall.

ESL Forwarders won the Best Clearing and Forwarding Agent in Kenya with Best Clearing and Forwarding Agent in Tanzania going to Tahafresh Handling Limited.

KPA Ag. Managing Director Amb. John Mwangemi Pulse Live Kenya

Best Shipping Line went to Gulf Badr Group (K) Limited; Best Shipping Agent (Liner Agency) was won by CMA CGM Kenya Limited with ELS Forwarders winning the Best Shipping Agent (Tramp Agency). Best Cargo Consolidator went to ECU Worldwide Kenya Limited.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association won the Best Private Sector Business Membership Organization in Kenya and Uganda, respectively.

Under individual categories Chief Editor for Freight Logistics magazine Githua Kihara won the Maritime Journalist of the Year Award. Martin Mwita and Hilary Makokha both of The Star newspaper were 1st and 2nd runners up respectively. Mary Ireri and Gilbert Langat won the Young Achiever Award as Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

Guests at Kenya Ports Authority's East Africa Maritime Awards (EAMA) 2020 Pulse Live Kenya

Congratulating the winners KPA Ag. Managing Director Amb. John Mwnagemi said the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the critical role played by the maritime sector in enabling global supply chains.

“Despite the pandemic, seafarers in eastern Africa region, and in fact all over the world, continue to make personal sacrifices to labour behind the scene to ensure food, medicines and other essential supplies reach our shores.

"I salute your steadfastness and resolve. Through your drive and vision you have proven your worth in the competitive maritime industry. Your hard work has won the recognition of your fellow colleagues in the industry and will no doubt be a shining example for others to follow,” Amb. Mwangemi said.

DRC Commercial attaché and OGEFREM representative in Kenya Ms. Berthe Morisho (right) leads her team in receiving certificate for 1st Runner Up under Private Sector Business Membership category at the EAMA 2020 Awards Pulse Live Kenya

Acknowledging the participants, Edward Oswe, Chief Executive Office Marketing Society of Kenya (the coordinator EAMA 2020 event) said the team was encouraged by the growing interest in the EAMA award across the region, adding that EAMA continues to consolidate the maritime industry as it matures.

Marketing Society of Kenya CEO Edward Oswe speaking at the EAMA 2020 Awards Pulse Live Kenya

"We have seen an increase in growth of the number of entrants for the EAMA 2020 despite the pandemic. This year, we received 77 entries up from the 64 received in the previous edition – representing Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of Congo. We hope that other Eastern African countries not represented in this year’s awards will be part of the next edition of EAMA," Oswe stated.

The East Africa Maritime Awards (EAMA) awards are a strategic initiative of the Authority in collaboration with the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Trade Network Agency, Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, East African Business Council and Think Business Limited.

The objective of the awards is to promote excellence in service delivery, appreciate exceptional contribution to the industry and economy, encourage innovation, and improve overall performance.