Development

Seatrade launches China Awards in Dalian

By Zhang Xiaomin (China Daily Dalian Bureau)
Updated: 2010-10-15 14:31

London-based maritime organization Seatrade held its first China Awards ceremony on Oct 13 in Dalian, a port city in Northeast China's Liaoning province.

China Classification Society, Jinhai Heavy Industry Co Ltd, and Hebei Ocean Shipping Co Ltd and 14 other winners shared the awards.

"China's been a principal engine for the recovery of the world shipping industry," Christopher Hayman, chairman of Seatrade, told China Daily on Wednesday.

According to Hayman, Seatrade, which celebrates 40 years in comprehensive global maritime communications, has been managing awards programs for more than 20 years.

Impressed by China's achievements in shipbuilding, trade, and maritime service, Seatrade introduced the China Awards to honor business excellence, best practices and innovation across various sectors of China's maritime industry.

Updated statistics show that China is firmly No.1 in the world's shipbuilding sector, he said. The chairman said he is optimistic about China's shipping industry.

"The world's center of shipping is moving eastward, from Europe to Asia. The Asian voice on maritime policy issues will become clearer and stronger. It is a good opportunity for China to play a leading role in this process," Hayman said.