Hong Kong’s first container terminal operator Modern Terminals Limited is bestowed with an accolade of HKQAA-HSBC CSR Advocate Mark for the second consecutive year for its continuous enhancement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) highly commended the company as having achieved an outstanding performance and reaching a mature status with respect to putting CSR into actual operational practices.

Mr Benjamin Lai, Managing Director – Hong Kong of Modern Terminals, shared the company’s experience gained on its CSR journey in a panel discussion at HKQAA Symposium 2011. He commented: “It has been our commitment to contribute to the well-being of the community where we live and work. We have embarked on some community programmes to develop people and protect environment, which are the key components identified in Modern Terminals’ CSR Policy.

“For instances, participating in a 6-year Project WeCan, Modern Terminals is investing a total of HK$15 million in Cotton Spinners Association Secondary School -- our partner school in the neighbourhood -- and in engaging the professional support from Chinese University of Hong Kong, to assist the school in uplifting its total performance. On the environmental front, Modern Terminals has invested HK$170 million in a massive project of converting a total of 94 diesel-powered rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) into electric-RTGs (E-RTGs) to help create a much quieter and cleaner environment in the vicinity of the container port,” said Mr Lai.

Designed with reference to the ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility, HKQAA-HSBC CSR Advocate Mark assesses organizations’ maturity level in practising their social responsibilities in seven areas, namely corporate governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, customer issues and community involvement and development.

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