Magsaysay Shipping and Logistics’(MSL) Tankers Group received four awards at the 1^st Shell SOAR (Supply & Operations Awards and Recognition), virtually held via MS Teams last April 1. Previously known as Shell MASTERS (Maritime Safety and Technical Efficiency Recognition System) Awards, Shell SOAR represents rising above and aspiring to be the best despite the challenges. The newly revamped recognition program aims to acknowledge Shell-chartered vessels that exhibit exemplary performance in delivering cargoes, operating within guarantees, complying with HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environment) standards, and having zero incidents and accidents.

Four of Shell’s five awards were accorded to MSL’s Tankers Group, namely the Best in Operational Performance Award (MT Samal Island), Best Barge Award (MT Rana II), Goal Zero Award, and the prestigious Best Shipowner of the Year Award. Gracing the ceremony were Doris Magsaysay Ho, Group President and CEO of Magsaysay Group of Companies; Jesse Maxwell, President and CEO of Magsaysay Shipping & Logistics (MSL); Jasobanta Bal, General Manager of Magsaysay Shipmanagement, Inc. (MSI); and Abel Cagara, General Manager of MSL’s Tankers Group.

“The award serves as a great testament to all of us at Magsaysay, to recognize the efforts and all the initiatives we’ve been doing within our company promoting safety every day, onshore and at sea. This reinforces our efforts and makes us believe that we’re on the right direction towards zero incident industry. We are extremely proud and thankful again to Shell. I would also like to congratulate all of our shore staff, and our crew for a job well done,” shared Jesse Maxwell as he received the Goal Zero Award.

Despite the broader backdrop of the global pandemic, MSL’s agile and flexible leadership coupled with modern fleet and systems and hardworking Magsaysay People (MPs), helped the company in successfully keeping the business moving. MSL has been hard at work throughout the challenging period. MSL’s response and commitment is to be flexible and resilient, to save lives and livelihoods not only for its partners and customers, but to all Filipinos. Notwithstanding the risk, the MSL frontliners, considered as modern-day heroes, are committed to deliver the essential goods 24/7 to the Filipino nation. 

And to congratulate and celebrate everyone’s hard work, Doris Magsaysay Ho organized an appreciation lunch last April 4 at the MIHCA Café in Times Plaza. She thanked the seafarers whom she considered as the amazing troopers of the company. “I want you all to feel so proud that as a company we helped our country, we provided essential services without stopping, and we were there all the way for the Filipino people,” shared Doris. She also expressed her gratefulness to the management team of Islas Tankers Seatransport Corp (ITSC), Batangas Bay Carriers, Inc. (BBCI), and MSI. 

MSL also received the Best Shipowner of the Year Award in 2019 and continues its commitment to be a reliable shipping and logistics partner, providing cost-efficient solutions at high-safety standards in line with Pilipinas Shell’s shipping requirements. Affirming its purpose, MSL is committed to connecting businesses to every corner of the country and contributing to the benefits of trade for society through its shipping, logistics and transport services.