CICT rewards champions at South Asia’s first quay crane operators’ competition

CICT’s quay crane operators honoured at the awards event with their mentors

• Presents 39 awards and cash prizes worth Rs. 2.45 m after competition covering speed, accuracy, efficiency, and safety

Six years after he began operating a Mega Gantry Quay Crane at the South Terminal of the Port of Colombo, Chathuranga Pushpakumara was adjudged the champion quay crane operator at Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), winning the first competition of its kind in South Asia.

Pushpakumara, 29, from Attanagalla, Gampaha, was among 30 exceptionally-skilled quay crane operators recognised by CICT with 39 awards and cash prizes totalling Rs. 2.45 million at the company’s inaugural Quay Crane Championship Awards held recently.

The Championship Awards for Quay Crane Operators was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of CICT’s parent company China Merchants Group (CMG) and is one of 150 competitions that will take place around the globe this year.

Speaking at the awards ceremony CICT CEO Jack Huang said: “Productivity and safety are the two core competitive advantages that CICT has over the other terminals in the region. Adherence to these aspects has made us one of the best terminals in Asia. On the other hand, our quay crane operators play a key role in the company’s productivity and safety aspects and therefore are pivotal to our success. We are delighted to be able to recognise and reward these skills in our employees through this latest championship awards which are aligned with CICT’s culture of appreciating best-performing employees.”

The CICT competition comprised of two rounds. While all 82 quay crane operators participated in the first round and were judged based on basic skills required to operate mega quay gantry cranes, 30 operators that qualified for the second round were judged based on advanced skills. Time, accuracy, efficiency, and safety while operating were the key criteria in both rounds.

Six quay crane operators who scored the highest in the second round of the competition were declared ‘QC Champion Stars’ and were felicitated with certificates, plaques, and cash prizes at the CICT Quay Crane Championship Awards ceremony. The QC Champion Stars included the grand prize Gold award winner of Rs. 600,000, the two Silver award winners – Akila Ushan and Charith Sonal who were presented Rs. 400,000 each, and the three Bronze award winners – Asanka Lakruwan, Dhanushka Ariyasena and Dilan Jayanayaka who were presented Rs. 200,000 each. The Champion Stars are all experienced quay crane operators, the company said.

Additionally, three operators with less than three years of crane operating experience were presented ‘QC Shining Star’ awards. Yojitha Bimal placed first in this category received a cash prize of Rs. 200,000, while Lahiru Jayawardana and Chanaka Udayanga placed second and third were presented Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 100,000, respectively.  

Meanwhile, the top 30 performers who qualified for the second round of the competition were also recognised with medals and certificates at the ceremony.

The awards ceremony was punctuated by colourful musical performances by a seven-person band from the talent pool of CICT. This is the first time that the company showcased extra-curricular flair of its employees. The top performers were joined by their family members at the ceremony. All participants were treated to a special lunch following the awards presentation. The panel of judges for the first-ever quay crane operator competition consisted of senior mentors. The event is expected to be an annual feature in the CICT calendar, the company said.

CICT manages the South Terminal of the Port of Colombo, the first and only operating deep-water terminal in South Asia, which is equipped with facilities to handle the largest vessels afloat. Since its inception in 2014, the terminal has incrementally grown the volume it has handled; from 686,639 TEUs in 2014, to just over 3.2 million TEUs in 2021.

CICT is the flagship overseas terminal of China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd. (CMPort). CMPort is the largest and a globally-competitive public port developer, investor and operator in China with investments in Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas. CMPort has a port network portfolio spanning 50 ports in 26 countries and regions. Guided by the vision “To be a world class comprehensive port service provider” and supported by its domestic, overseas and innovation strategies, CMPort strives to strengthen its core competencies in global throughput, port service and management.