Port News
To commemorate a major milestone, 25 years of service, Hutchison Ports FCP spent the month of July 2022 engaging and celebrating those at the heart of the business: its people.
With ‘People’ being one of the business’ core values, FCP believes in making a positive impact not only on its team members, but the communities we live and work in.
So, in this celebratory season, Freeport Container Port chose to give back to its community in a special way. In the 25 days leading up to the 25th Anniversary of the opening of Freeport Container Port (July 16th, 1997), the FCP team was enthralled by the spirits of teamwork, camaraderie, and community.
The team’s Anniversary countdown included a series of fundraisers and community-conscious activities, wherein departments across the business showed their creativity through events ranging from bake sales, raffles, fish fries, to school clean ups, beach clean ups and food drives.
Through the team’s collective fundraising efforts, along with support from its sister company, Freeport Harbour Company Ltd. as well as friends from the corporate community, Team FCP raised funds to fully cover a 1 day round-trip excursion to Baha Bay Water Park at Baha Mar, Nassau, New Providence for some 20 children of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home as well as their chaperones, recognizing that the children at the home have faced much loss and hardship, especially in recent years as a result of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
CEO Alan Dixon made the presentation on behalf of the FCP team to Ms. June Hutcheson, Executive Director of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, conveying wishes for a memorable and joyous experience that the children will cherish for years to come.
This presentation took place during the culmination of Freeport Container Port’s 25th Anniversary Countdown: A Family Fun Day event. Team members and their families gathered at the terminal to celebrate the company’s achievements together, with an afternoon of fun and laughter.
In a brief ceremony, senior management recognized five (5) long-serving employees, who have contributed 25 years of service to the business, having been employed at Freeport Container Port since its genesis.
Other highlights of the day included open bus tours of the quay, family games and prizes, an inter-departmental Tug of War Tournament, Team Talent Showcase, as well as lots of food, treats and entertainment provided by local vendors.
Dixon expressed his immense pride in the team for reaching this milestone and noted that FCP is simply 25 years young, having many more capstones ahead, which future generations will be proud of.
“When we opened the doors at FCP in 1997, our operation started with a team of 65 people and 4 cranes. From those humble beginnings, our team has grown 10 times its original size as we progressively upgraded and expanded our terminal and equipment.”
“Over the years, we have faced some difficult times – global economic downturn as well as loss equipment and tragically, even some of our own people, yet we have persevered. And those challenges helped to prepare us not only for today, but for tomorrow. FCP has proved time and time again that its team is adaptable, courageous, and resilient.”
Dixon went on to note the many positive developments the business continues to make, especially in recent months.
“This year we have constructed three new on-site green spaces – now known as “Breathe Zones” – making our terminal ‘greener’ and providing our team members a space to unwind and recharge on property. We’ve also been working to improve work-life balance, acknowledging that we must prioritize happy, healthy people to sustain our business. We intend to move forward in this direction, with people at the heart, always.”
At a private reception for close friends and family of Freeport Container Port in honour of the company’s 25th Anniversary, Hon. Philip Brave Davis, Prime Minister thanked FCP for the pivotal role it has played in the Bahamian economy and praised the business as a model for the advancement of workers in the industrial sector.
Throughout its journey, FCP has remained grateful for the wonderful friendships and bonds developed over the years, from peers in corporate Grand Bahama and the industrial sector, and especially the consistent support of Government of The Bahamas.
With special greetings to the entire team, Dixon extended congratulations to Team FCP: 25 years young. and just getting started.
