Giving Back to Our Communities
Giving Back to Our Communities
At PSA, we are committed to serving the communities in which we operate. We believe in creating positive change beyond the industry, especially at a time when the world is still recovering from the repercussions of COVID-19.
In 2021, PSA International donated S$500,000 to Keppel Club’s annual Charity Golf fundraiser in Singapore. The event was graced by Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob and funds raised were channelled to support 92 charities under the President’s Challenge as well as 18 charities partnered by Keppel Club.
Separately, PSA also contributed S$10,000 towards the Jalan Kayu Charity Golf event which sought to raise funds for the needy, including those financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continuing its CSR focus in creative and performing arts, PSA provided financial support to the Singapore Chinese Orchestra as well as budding artists.
Cognizant of the fact that good governance will impact lives and businesses, PSA contributed S$20,000 towards the Institute of Public Policy and its Singapore Perspectives (SP) conference which was held in January 2022. The annual SP event seeks to engage Singaporeans in a lively debate about public policy challenges the country faces. Besides the financial sponsorship, PSA’s Group CEO Tan Chong Meng also participated in a forum discussion on the topic “City as Connected Space”.
In 2021, heeding a call to action by Temasek Foundation, PSA took a significant step forward in sustainability efforts with a US$100,000 (S$136,000) sponsorship of two global community initiatives. The first project involves the restoration of mangroves under the M40 cities network – a global network of cities with close proximity to existing mangrove reserves, to facilitate and enhance collective action through knowledge sharing, financing and acceleration of climate action. The second initiative supports a pilot programme on circular economy intervention, focusing on waste management to accelerate the blue and green economy in cities.
As we continue to give back to local communities where PSA has a presence, we also make a conscious effort to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of local unions. PSA donated S$75,000 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Singapore Port Workers Union (SPWU), in appreciation of the union’s close partnership with staff and management over the decades, which has helped to enable the Port of Singapore’s status today as the world’s largest container transhipment hub.
PSA’s [email protected] ([email protected]) programme was launched in 2015 to encourage a spirit of volunteerism among Singapore-based staff. [email protected] maintained its momentum despite the pandemic restricting physical gatherings and interactions. The [email protected] team of volunteers pivoted and developed new ways to stay connected with their beneficiaries. One of the highlights was a virtual port tour of PSA Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal and the new Tuas Port.
Under the PSAssist programme, specialised care packs were also distributed to the care givers from our [email protected] beneficiaries to recognise the hard work and dedication of all who work in the community care sector especially over the course of the pandemic.
To reach out to our beneficiaries during the festive season, PSA Singapore partnered with CrimsonLogic to fulfil wishes from 500 individuals in need. Christmas gifts with a total value of S$35,000 were delivered to beneficiaries from the Children’s Cancer Foundation (Singapore), HCA Hospice Care, Lions Befrienders, The Haven (The Salvation Army Singapore), as well as patients with life-limiting illnesses, elders who live alone or in rental housing, at-risk youths, and low-income residents.
To support increasing awareness on mental health issues, PSA Singapore also donated S$10,000 to Cycle & Carriage for “The MINDSET Challenge & Carnival”, with proceeds going to Touch Community Services, a not-for-profit charity which provides community outreach and intervention for youths and their families.
Our Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal in Thailand also donated bio-hazard trash bags, medical face masks, clothes and other essential supplies to public service units and the Laem Chabang Hospital to support the COVID-19 response efforts in the community.
In China, Dalian Container Terminal supported and visited schools for children with special needs with about CNY7,300 (S$1,555) in supplies such as rice, flour and oil. They also kickstarted public donation drives for books to benefit schools in the community.
Fuzhou Container Terminal sponsored the planting of 500 fruit trees and supported the local villagers in selling the fruits for their daily needs.
Guangzhou Container Terminal (GCT) provided volunteer support for a special needs school in Huangpu, Guangzhou. This is the ninth consecutive year that GCT has spearheaded donation efforts for the school.
LYG-PSA Container Terminal (LPCT) continued its industry partnership with Jiangsu Ocean University. Through this collaboration, university students are given a two-month industrial attachment with LPCT to gain valuable work experience.
Over in South Korea, the three PSA Korea terminals collectively donated KRW13 million (S$15,000) to the Korean Association for Children with Leukaemia and Cancer. In addition, staff also painted cards with words of encouragement to spread love and support for the children battling these illnesses during the pandemic.
PSA India’s business units extended help to less fortunate communities by providing food to the needy, resources such as beds and oxygen cylinders to public hospitals, as well as educational materials to students of Shrimad Rajchandra Atma Tatva Research Centre.
PSA Chennai also supported nearby communities with the reconstruction of infrastructure like roofs and bore wells of the Indian Council for Child Welfare in Chennai and donated COVID-19 relief materials to neighbouring fishing communities. In addition, staff at PSA Chennai volunteered to distribute food supplies to children at the Indian Council for Child Welfare.
PSA Mumbai organised a beach clean-up at Pirwadi Beach, located about 15 kilometres away from the terminal. Close to 100 staff volunteered to pick up litter at the beach, disposing of nearly 600kg of plastic waste.
In Saudi Arabia, Saudi Global Ports (SGP) supported a range of social causes that directly benefitted those in need. SGP donated SAR30,000 (S$11,000) to Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association which supports children with cancer through social services programmes and scientific research grants.
SGP also supported the Dhahran Municipality’s “Let’s Walk” walkathon with a sponsorship of SAR35,000 (S$12,700). The walkathon was part of the Dhahran Municipality’s efforts to promote healthy living and provide a platform for small businesses in Dhahran to engage the community.
PSA Europe, Mediterranean & the Americas’ business units held their annual regional charity movement – which saw staff clocking in runs, swims and bicycle rides to raise funds for charity while simultaneously fostering a sense of togetherness. In total, €32,500 (S$52,097) was raised and the funds were distributed to local charity initiatives.
In PSA Italy, part of the proceeds was donated to Tutti per Atta, which supports local charities in the fight against childhood diseases.
In addition, Belgian colleagues had the opportunity to nominate local projects and organisations they are involved in. PSA Belgium sponsored 20 of these charities and donated school materials, such as laptops, to children through a local youth club City Pirates.
Mersin International Port in Turkey also provided TRY1 million (S$92,350) in support of the “Fire and Flood Disaster Relief Campaign” initiated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) following a spate of more than 200 wildfires in July and August 2021.
DCT Gdańsk supported local communities through food donations and charity drives. The terminal provided meals for healthcare workers battling COVID-19, as well as seniors in the Stogi district where the terminal is located.
To help individuals who may be digitally excluded as a result of disruptions caused by the pandemic, DCT Gdańsk also worked with one of its shareholders to create a fully-equipped multimedia room to hold trainings and workshops on IT skills, the use of basic communication platforms, job search and vocational skills for people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and seniors from the local community.
To reach out to communities during the festivities, PSA Sines in Portugal helped with the refurbishment and painting of a Boys’ Home and also donated Christmas hampers to some 300 families in need.
Ashcroft Terminal presented the Ashcroft Terminal Trades Bursary to support and develop local talent. The scholarship – which is in its second year – is awarded to graduates of a local high school who pursue their post-secondary education in trades relevant to the local community.
Ashcroft Terminal also provided resources, equipment and a base for firefighters who fought against the wildfires in the province of British Columbia in July 2021. The terminal’s staff supported 60 evacuees in the community with limited access to fresh and healthy food, and provided empty containers for locals to store and save their belongings. Donations were also made to the Emergency Donation Centre of Siska Indian Band and the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society to support wildfire evacuees.
At PSA Halifax, staff participated in meal donation drives at the local food bank to support children in the community.
International Trade Logistics (ITL) in Exolgan continued to work with local organisations to provide meals and food donations to needy communities. In addition, ITL also delivered school supplies to 10 non-profit organisations in the community.
For six years in a row now, PSA Panama has actively participated in nation-wide walks and runs that seek to raise funds for children and adults with leukaemia or cancer.
PSA Penn Terminals in Philadelphia, USA, also donated US$5,000 (S$6,763) to sponsor a charity event for children in the local township.
Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce’s social foundation was also recognised for its contributions towards local communities, as it was named among Colombia’s “Alliances that Overcome Poverty”, a recognition given by the National Government, Department of National Prosperity.
As a global port operator and supply chain partner, PSA is committed to creating a better and more sustainable world, making a positive impact within the communities where we operate.