IT is generally acknowledged that speed and productivity of ship-to-shore quay cranes is the single most important machine factor in the efficiency of a container terminal. And, at Westport Malaysia, productivity is cherished and rewarded.

On July 22, quay crane operator, Azmi Ashaari became a "Westport hero" when he achieved the remarkable record of 72 moves per hour (mph) on board the Johan Amber.

Azmi readily vouched that his record was not one born of an overnight success, but rather the fruition of hard work. To Azmi, dedication is certainly the key to greater achievements.

The 36-year old Perakian began his career in Westport in 1996 as a prime mover driver before progressing to rubber tyre gantry. After a training stint in 2000, he assumed the present position.

Today, Azmi is reaping the rewards of his sacrifices and hard work. Currently he pockets an additional RM500 to RM600 per month under Westport's incentive scheme to promote productivity among staff. He is of 10 top Westport quay crane operators recognized for their outstanding performances this year.

Realising the importance of motivating its staff to even greater heights, Westport has implemented various measures to enhance productivity. These include staff benefits like salary advance, children's education assistance scheme and subsidised interest for housing, car and motorcycle loans. Staff are also given various allowances such as for shift work, transport, laundry, meals and subsistence allowance.

Apart from the monetary incentives, staff welfare is another important consideration at Westport. Employees enjoy maternity and medical benefits in the form of specialist medical treatment and hospitalisation, group personal accident schemes and industrial accident coverage

Other benefits include loans for further education, financial assistance for bereavement expenses and retirement benefits.

Westport has placed great importance in the supply-driven approach to provide port facilities. 'This has enabled the port to cater to the increasing needs of the shipping community,' says Westport's executive chairman Tan Sri G Gnanalingam. He added that the availability of tugboats has enabled the port to achieve an impressive track record of berth turnaround productivity.

In view of this, Westport has ensured that there are sufficient tugboats to handle ships of any size at any given time. As a result, its commitment to productivity has seen the port attracting a number of major shipping lines including CMA-CGM, Goldstar, China Shipping, Evergreen, Norasia, Hanjin, Maersk and APL.

CMA CGM, one of the world's leading container shipping companies, has chosen Westport to handle its increasing volume and bigger vessels as it believes the latter is now among the most productive hub ports