Dutch winners in 2008 Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards

SINGAPORE (April 22, 2008): Singapore's Changi Airport maintained its perfect record at the 2008 Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards (AFSCAs) last night, taking home the Best Airport - Asia award for the 22nd time.

The 22nd anniversary of the AFSCAs - organised by market leading transport and logistics newspaper Cargonews Asia, published by MCBI(HK), subsidiary of Times Publishing Group - was held at Singapore's Pan Pacific Hotel and several hundred transport, logistics and supply chain executives from around the region gathered to celebrate the event.

After receiving the award, Mr Lim Kim Choon, director-general and chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said: "Winning the AFSCA award is a recognition of CAAS' efforts in providing a conducive framework and operating environment for our air cargo business partners."

Singapore companies dominated the event. The Port of Singapore picked up the Best Seaport - Asia award for the 20th time; PSA International scooped the Best Global Container Terminal Operating Company award for the fourth consecutive year, and PSA Singapore Terminals was voted Best Container Terminal - Asia (over 4 million TEUs per year) for the 19th time.

Jurong Port won the award for Best Container Terminal - Asia (under 1 million TEUs per year), while Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) took the Best Air cargo Terminal - Asia trophy.

In a fiercely contested category, FedEx broke DHL's stranglehold on the Best Express Operator that their rival had held for 21 consecutive years. The US integrator created a stir on the night by also claiming awards for Best Air Cargo Carrier - North America, Best All Freighter Airline, Best Logistics Service Provider - Air Freight and Best Road Haulier - Asia.

But DHL also shone brightly on the night, winning the Best Lead Logistics Provider, Best Contract Logistics Provider, Best 3PL and Best Project Cargo Forwarder.

The world's biggest container carrier, Maersk Line, maintained its dominance of the liner awards, collecting the Best Global Shipping Line and Best Shipping Line - Asia-Europe. The Best Logistics Service Provider - Sea Freight award went to Damco.

Other notable shipping awards were handed to APL for Best Shipping Line - Transpacific, Austral Asia Line won Best Shipping Line - Project Cargo and Evergreen took home the title of Best Shipping Line - Intra-Asia. Thermo King won the Best Reefer Cargo Equipment Provider - Sea Freight.

In the air freight section, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport picked up two awards - Best Airport - Europe and Best Air Cargo Terminal - Europe. Evergreen won the Best Air Charter/ACMI Operator, and Cathay Pacific Cargo flew home with the Best Air Cargo Carrier - Asia award.

The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Lu, Chairman of the Singapore National Shippers' Council and the Asian Shippers' Council. His passionate commitment to improving the business environment of the many thousands of shippers around Asia saw Mr Lu winning the auspicious award.

The AFSCAs are widely regarded as the most authoritative and prestigious awards for the industry in Asia and the evening is one of the highlights of the Asian freight industry calendar.

More information: www.cargonewsasia.com

Source: Cargonews Asia press release, 22 April 2008