The 2009 edition of the much coveted Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA), which recognises individuals and companies for outstanding contributions to Singapore's development as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre, is now open for nominations. There are seven award categories: International Maritime Centre (IMC) Award (Corporate and Individual); Excellence in Training Development Award; Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award; SRS Ship Owner of the Year; Bunker Award; Maritime Service Provider Award; and Offshore & Marine Engineering Award.

The prestigious IMA was last given out in 2007. That year, Neptune Shipmanagement Services (Pte) Ltd (NSSPL) received the Excellence in Training Development Award for its strong support for Singapore's maritime manpower development initiatives. And the two awards under the IMC Award category went to Mr SS Teo (Individual), for his tireless efforts in promoting Asian Shipping and Singapore's attractiveness as a maritime hub, and PSA International Pte Ltd (Corporate), for being a major pillar of Singapore's development as a seaport and maritime centre.

Prosafe Production Pte Ltd (Maritime R&D and Technology Award), A.P. Moller Pte Ltd (SRS Ship Owner of the Year Award), BP Singapore Pte Ltd (Bunker Award ), DnB NOR Bank ASA Singapore Branch (Maritime Service Provider Award), and Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Offshore & Marine Engineering Award) were the other recipients in 2007.

Over the past year, the maritime workforce grew by an impressive 12 percent, providing jobs for some 108,000 workers. Many individuals and companies play a part in growing and developing the thriving maritime cluster which contributes about seven per cent direct value add to Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) invites the maritime community to nominate candidates for the awards to be presented at the fifth Singapore IMA gala dinner on 21 April 2009. The gala dinner - an anchor event under next April's Singapore Maritime Week - is expected to draw some 1,000 maritime luminaries and leaders.

Details of the award categories are:

a) International Maritime Centre (IMC) Award
Awarded to the individual or company that has contributed significantly towards the development of Singapore as an International Maritime Centre

b) Excellence in Training Development Award
Awarded to the company or institute of higher learning that has demonstrated commitment and excellence in training and development

c) Outstanding Maritime R&D and Technology Award
Awarded to the company or research institution for outstanding innovation in the application or research and development of technology for the maritime industry

d) SRS Ship Owner of the Year
Awarded to the outstanding owner of quality Singapore-registered ships

e) Bunker Award
Awarded to the outstanding bunker supplier or bunker tanker operator that has demonstrated commitment to quality standards, quantity assurances and customer satisfaction

f) Maritime Service Provider Award
Awarded to the maritime service provider that has demonstrated exceptional professional performance and contribution to the maritime sector

g) Offshore & Marine Engineering Award
Awarded to the company that has contributed significantly towards the development of the Offshore & Marine Engineering sector

Attachments:
IMA Criteria 2009
IMA Nomination 2009

Submissions close on 23 January 2009.

End of release

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

About the Port of Singapore
The port of Singapore comprises a number of facilities and terminals that handle a wide range of cargo transported in different forms, including containers as well as conventional and bulk cargo. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is responsible for the overall development and growth of the port of Singapore, which includes terminal operators, such as PSA Corporation and Jurong Port Pte Ltd.