THE Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) should be ideally placed to capitalize on the many opportunities that will spin off from oil exploration here in the coming years, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said as he addressed a simple ceremony held on Wednesday to mark the corporation’s 40th Anniversary.He said GNSC should become even more dynamic in its outlook, and must invest heavily in technology, in addition to its human resources. This move will pave the way for the corporation to reap substantial profits, and exists beyond 80 years.

In celebration of the Corporation’s 40th Anniversary, Eion Oudkerk – GNSC Project Manager, who has been working with the Corporation since it was nationalized 40 years ago, cut the anniversary cake along with Yvonne Sandiford, another long-serving employee, who now serves as a Confidential Secretary.

GNSC Managing Director, Andrew Astwood, GNSC Chairman, Keith Cholmondeley, Stephen Thomas and Basil Blackman, both of whom are Directors, were among those present at the simple ceremony.

The GNSC was formerly a member of the Booker Group of Companies, trading under the name “Bookers Shipping Transport and Wharves Limited.

In 1951, the name was changed to BOOKERS SHIPPING (DEMERARA) LIMITED. However, on May 26, 1976 when the Government acquired the holdings of Booker McConnell & Co. Ltd. in Guyana, the entity was renamed the Guyana National Shipping Corporation.

The company traded successfully under this name for the last 30 years and now stands among the foremost companies of its kind in the country. GNSC renders Maritime Transportation services to all sectors of the economy.

The company’s major role in the shipping industry is the provision of related quality services to ship-owners, operators, and other customers, locally and internationally. (Svetlana Marshall)