SAJ mourns past president's death

Members of the regional shipping fraternity have been thrown into mourning at the death of past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) and the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), Ludlow 'Luddy' Stewart, CD. He was 79 years old.

Mr Stewart was the longest-serving president of the SAJ, having served seven years in three separate periods, 1979-1980, 1989-1990, and 1995-1997. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Joint Industrial Council for the Port of Kingston, a body in which unions and management of the shipping industry meet monthly to ensure the continuation of good industrial relations in the sector. He was considered one of the foremost experts on Jamaican shipping affairs, having served the industry for over 40 years.

President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Roger Hinds, remembers Mr Stewart as a man who championed the cause of the shipping industry and saw not only a positive change in port operations, but also the lives of those who work in the industry.

"The shipping industry has lost a great leader," Hinds said. "As president of the SAJ, Ludlow was instrumental in esta-blishing the SAJ's outreach clinic to serve neighbouring communities and retired port workers."

Hinds also noted that Mr Stewart played a key role in initiating the historical reform of labour practices on the Port of Kingston, which culminated in the landmark Labour Contract in 1998. "Through his advocacy in the 1980s, an incentive award for port workers, which led to the port worker housing programme, was established," Hinds added. "He will be missed by all."

Ludlow Stewart was the fifth president of the CSA and served for three terms. His presidency of the CSA brought about meaningful change that still benefits the organisation today.

Initiator

In a citation presented to Mr Stewart at the recent CSA conference held in October this year, he was described as an initiator who preserved the culture of the association.

"He was a pacifier, yet he led the charge in times of battle. He was moderate yet revolutionary. He was gentle yet strong. His approach was simple, but the results were historically significant. He was soft-spoken, yet he spoke out strongly and fearlessly on controversial issues," the citation said.

During his active years in the shipping industry, he received the following honours: honorary harbour master of the Port of New Orleans, Silver Club member of the Caribbean Shipping Association and the Order of Distinction of Jamaica.

The thanksgiving service for the life of Ludlow Stewart will be held on January 7, 2011, at the Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Old Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, commencing at 11 a.m.