Four firms earned Asia-Pacific logistics awards

Four home-grown companies were honoured during the yearly awards ceremony as the finest logistics operators in the Asia-Pacific region.

Yesterday, PSA International was labelled as the best operator of container terminal, while Northport in Malaysia was awarded as the top operator of multi-purpose terminal. The best air cargo terminal operator award was given to Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats), while Keppel Distripark was awarded as the year’s logistics park.

Mr Yacoob Piperdi, senior vice-president of cargo services at Sats, credited the success of his company to strategies straightened up over the previous year. He said that it included attaining excellence in operation, improving satisfaction of customers by providing existing capabilities and new products, and looking for new areas of development.

He said, ”These enabled us to achieve new heights in our cargo-handling services, but much of this would not have been possible without the support of our staff and customers, especially over a difficult year where freight movements have taken a dip”.

Overall, 37 prizes – the Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific Transportation and Logistics Awards –  were distributed at the Hotel InterContinental.

Mr R. Gopal, director of transportation and logistics practice in the Asia-Pacific for Frost and Sullivan, gave the information regarding the logistic industry's varying needs. He said, “Logistics end-users are becoming more demanding and expect more efficient, just-in-time logistics operations to reduce inventory cost”.

He also added that logistics firms that enhance transportation planning and incorporate the supply chains will be searched by the region’s end-users.

Marking Singapore as a country with a well-established logistics market, he said the nation offers several prospects for reverse logistics, service parts management, and just-in-time operations.