Aboitiz Jebsen (Abojeb) provides full Filipino crew to M/V Albany Pioneer, the recipient of Best Quality Ship 2008, a prestigious award given by the Japan Federation of Pilots’ Association.

The two-year-old woodchip-type vessel is owned by Kyokuto Shipping of Tokyo, Japan and under the technical management of PMT Ship Management (PMT) in Manila.  It has been manned by Abojeb since its delivery in first quarter 2007 with Cesar Licudine as Crewing Manager.

In a notice sent to Abojeb, PMT President Capt.Fortunato Agustin congratulated Capt. Edmundo Erispe and his crew for an excellent performance leading to the award.  

“In behalf of the management of Kyokuto Shipping and PMT, it is our great honor to advise you that your good vessel, MV Albany Pioneer, was selected recipient of the title awards for an excellent ship “Best Quality Ship Awards 2008” of Japan Federation of Pilots Association,” Agustin said in the letter.

As part of the reward policy of PMT in recognition of the excellent performance of the whole crew, the vessel received a merit certificate while the entire crew got USD1000.

“We understand the cash is not much for the whole crew.  What really matters is the spirit of recognition.  We sincerely hope that in 2009, one of our other vessels will be the recipient of the prestigious awards,” Agustin added. 

Licudine, in a letter on behalf of the Aboitiz Jebsen management and staff, also congratulated Erispe and the rest of the crew.  He said, “It's truly a remarkable one.  Keep up the good work!”

The formal awarding ceremonies will be held on June 16, 2009 in Japan. (Araceli D. de Guzman) #

Captain Edmundo Erispe (in black jacket) poses with the other officers and crew of Albany Pioneer.