
Dr. Kenneth Tse, former Director and General Manager of Yantian International Container Terminals Ltd, was inducted into the Institute's 'Hall of Fame' at their 6th Annual China Chapter dinner on Tuesday 13th of March. The dinner was held at the Novotel Hotel near the Hong Kong Conference Centre on the eve of the TOC Asia event. This induction is to honour Dr. Tse's contribution to the development of port logistics in China/Shenzhen and his role in the development of port-centric logistics and the customer facing model which the Institute believes is best international practice. The award is also to acknowledge his support for the development of CTQS and for his academic contributions.
In 2009, Kenneth Tse took early retirement from 35 years of business life to pursue his portfolio of academic and consulting/research interests in management. In July of that year, he received his doctorate from the University of Birmingham, UK, for his thesis titled "The Co-evolution of Strategy and Environment: A Study of Yantian Port".For 16 years prior to the change, he was Managing Director of Yantian International Container Terminals Limited, a joint venture between the Hutchison Group and Yantian Port Group, one of China major state owned enterprises.
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Key idea – the journey is the reward!
Key idea – the journey is the reward! This is the story of Kenneth Tse leading the YICT development. _blank -
YICT today, taken in 2010 – the aerial panorama showing highways connecting the port to the hinterland
YICT today, taken in 2010 – the aerial panorama showing highways connecting the port to the hinterland
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YICT grew with Shenzhen
YICT grew with Shenzhen, a city when it was located. Shenzhen was a sleepy fishing village 30 years ago, with only 30000 people. In 1979, Shenzhen was designated a “Special Economic Zone”. Today it is home of the world’s 4th largest port. _blank -
A port is part of global logistics
A port is part of global logistics. YICT was involved not only in port operations, but has been very active in facilitating the growth of the logistics industry in Shenzhen and China.
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Humble beginnings showing phase 1 with only 3 cranes
Humble beginnings showing phase 1 with only 3 cranes, and an empty terminal – taken in 1994. KT appointed General Manager of YICT in Dec 1993.
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Golf driving range?
In the summer of 1994, KT with his exec team with an empty terminal. People joked about YICT would make more money running a golf driving range than a terminal.
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Press Conference
June 1994, KT holding a press conference announcing the beginning of operations in Yantian
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Maersk Shipping
In June 1994, YICT signed up its first customer – Maersk Shipping. Chairing the meeting was Chairman of YICT, John Meredith. Sitting alongside were two Maersk execs.
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Maersk execs and Hutchison execs
June 94, the signing ceremony attended by Maersk execs and Hutchison execs. From the right, John Meredith, Chairman of YICT, Canning Fok, CEO of Hutchison Whampoa; Maersk legal counsel and Henri Zeuthen, Maersk HK’s MD
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Flags of carriers, taken in 1997
At the entrance to the port, showing flags of carriers, taken in 1997. In the years 1994 – 1997, more carriers discovered Yantian as a viable port for their China business. They chose Yantian as part of their entry strategy into China.
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MOU with Da Peng Customs Office
15/5/1995 YICT signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with Da Peng Customs Office, the customs administration responsible for controlling customs formalities in Yantian. The MOU was about operating a YICT-HK shuttle service.
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MOU with the Customs Administration
Nov 1995 the first major MOU with the Customs Administration was signed, signifying the support of the central government for the Yantian port development. In the middle was the Commissioner of Customs Administration (from Beijing) and Head of Dapeng Customs.
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inancial Secretary Mcleod
13/4/95 – hosting a visit by senior government officials from Hong Kong – 2nd from right was Financial Secretary Mcleod.
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Hanjin’s inaugural call at Yantian
16/3/2000 -- Welcoming Hanjin’s inaugural call at Yantian. Presenting a souvenir to Hanjin’s HK Managing Director, Mr Park.
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APL China
3/5/1999 – receiving visitors. In the background was one of the largest vessels at the time – APL China. Indicating that international carriers were keen to enter into China in a more important way, and they chose YICT as the port of entry and exit.
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Joint Chairman of Evergreen Shipping Group
16/10/1998 – presenting a souvenir to the Joint Chairman of Evergreen Shipping Group (from Taiwan). Evergreen’s signing was significant because it showed that carriers from Taiwan also searched for a point of entry despite political differences.
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YICT’s peak season improvements
15/8/2003 – Hosting a meeting with customers on YICT’s peak season improvements. That was a pioneering move for a terminal operator to pay so much attention to helping end customers solve their transportation problems. YICT’s end user marketing program and its customer service soon became well known in the industry.
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Signing ceremony of Phase 2
18/12/1996 – Speaking at the signing ceremony of Phase 2 development ground breaking ceremony. At the head table were the Shenzhen mayor and party secretary, as well as KS Li, Chairman of Hutchison. Phase 2 was built in anticipation of surging market demands for terminal services in China. That it was built ahead of plan was indicative of the foresight that Hutchison and HPH/YICT had of the economic – political situation in HK and China
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Opening Ceremony
18/4/2007 Opening Ceremony of the container train connecting YICT with the hinterland. YICT was one of the few terminals that invested in logistics development not just at the port but built connections with hinterland cargo sources. Building a better ecosystem whereby all parties benefited from the growing trade meant that YICT was supported by many other operators – warehouse, container repairs, rail operators etc.
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Mr McMurray from Hasbro
At the ceremony, end user customers and rail operators – Mr McMurray from Hasbro and Mr Ronald Leung (GM – Yantian Railways)
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VIP visitors from Bangladesh
As YICT grew and developed, other developing countries came to share and learn from Yantian’s experience. Shown here were VIP visitors from Bangladesh – their “chief supervising minister” in 23/11/1997
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President of South Africa. Mr Zuma
27/9/2004 A visit by the Vice President of South Africa. Mr Zuma is now president of South Africa.
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Long Beach Board of Governors
YICT took initiatives to learn from international operators the best practices – this time from the USA. Picture taken in 2006 of the visit by the Governor of Long Beach to YICT. Pictured here are his team of Long Beach Board of Governors and the YICT exec team. They signed an MOU to exchange learning on environmental protection strategies.
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Vice Premier Zhu
30-12-1997 the then Vice Premier Zhu visited YICT. A visit by such a high ranking officer was a sign of approval. Zhu later became premier of China.
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Premier Wen
A visit by Premier Wen
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President of China – Mr Hu Jintao
A visit by the President of China – Mr Hu Jintao, accompanied by Shenzhen Party secretary and other senior officers
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Mr KS Li, Chairman of Hutchison
This picture show partnership management in action. Mr KS Li, Chairman of Hutchison in the middle, with Shenzhen’s Deputy Executive Mayor and Chairman Zhang of YICT’s partner group – Yantian Port Group. Pictured taken on 8/11/2001. On that day, YICT signed a “Heads of Agreement” with YPG on development of Yantian Phase 3.
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The Phase 3 formal signing ceremony
16/11/2001 The Phase 3 formal signing ceremony. Phase 3 gave YICT the capacity to service the mega vessels. With its “mega vessel hub strategy”, YICT captured the attention of the industry with its remarkable advancement in terminal productivity (achieving 35 mph/crane consistently in 2005 & 2006) and service to the shipping customers.
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Throughput of 7 million
18/12/2002 Shenzhen celebrated an annual throughput of 7 million, a record achievement at that time. YICT a major contributor.
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Yantian Phase 3 Expansion
On 1/11/2005, speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of Yantian Phase 3 Expansion – signifying further capacity expansion and cooperation with the Chinese partner.
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The Mayor of Tianjin
Showing visitors YICT’s operations -- The mayor of Shenzhen accompanying the mayor of Tianjin in 2008
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Best Global Terminal of the Year
The Global Institute of Logistics honoured YICT as the Best Global Terminal of the Year – Kieran Ring, CEO of GIL and other YICT execs. On 17/1/2006
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Ms Zhiang
The lady spokesperson Ms Zhiang led a foreign delegation to visit YICT on 26/11/2003. KT – a secret admirer of her eloquence!
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A meeting for all superintendents in 2006
As chief executive, KT spoke in a lot of management meetings. A meeting for all superintendents in 2006. Key themes on teamwork, service and respect as core company values.
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Party time
Party time – in annual staff parties!
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Family days in 2007
Family days in 2007, an annual event, free for all!
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Chinese New Year party
Chinese New Year party. A time to celebrate!
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Mr Jim Poon
In dinner party with customers – Mr Jim Poon, a loyal YICT supporter. Mr Poon was MD of OOCL (a mayor carrier) before his retirement.
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Donating $3million
Donating $3million to earthquake relief in 2008
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Charitable Work
YICT contributed to charitable work in 2008
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A portrait of KT
A portrait of KT
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The YICT exec team
The YICT exec team – from HK as well as from China
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KT obtained his PhD
In July 2009, KT obtained his PhD (after a ten year part time study program) from the University of Birmingham. Celebrating with wife Karen in Birmingham at the Congregation.
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Ken Tse's Personal Photographic Memoir of the development of YICT
Starting from a green field in 1993, Kenneth led the joint venture to achieve preeminent status in the port industry, with throughput exceeding 10 million twenty foot equivalent units in 2007 (the largest single terminal in the world in 2007), and gaining worldwide recognition for its productivity improvements and service to customers.In 2005, the company was awarded the "Best Terminal of the Year" by the Global Institute of Logistics. In the same year, it received the "Best Terminal Award" from China's National Port Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Communications. Such success also meant significant financial contributions of the business unit to Hutchison and Yantian Port Group.
Educated as an economist at the University of Hong Kong (1970-73), Kenneth worked in various management capacities in the Swire Group, Citibank and became Wilson Learning's Managing Director for Asia Pacific in 1983 - 88. In 1988 to 1991, he lived in Australia and managed its business development in Australia and New Zealand.In December 2006, Kenneth Tse was honoured by the Foreign Investors Association of Shenzhen as an "Outstanding Business Person". In a personal capacity, he served as an Executive Member of Shenzhen's Political Consultative Council, an advisory body to the Shenzhen Government. Professionally, he acted as Chairman of the Shenzhen Port Association and Vice Chairman of the Association for Foreign Investors (Shenzhen).Kenneth has always been active in professional port and logistics activities. His key note address in the Port Development Conference in Long Beach California in 2005 received rave reviews by participants.In 2008, his presentation at the Nanjing Business School's Peter Drucker Distinguished lecture series was a highlight of the program. As Adjunct Professor in the Dalian Maritime University, he presented to students on port development in China.Appointed in 2009 an Honorary Senior Research Fellow by the University of Birmingham, he resided for 9 months in the UK as Visiting Scholar in Birmingham and co-taught a module on cooperative strategy (with Professor John Child). Their forthcoming book: The Dynamics of Corporate Co-evolution - a case study of Port Development in China will be published by Edward Elgar Publishers in the UK in 2012.
Since leaving his full time business career, he has become an active participant in many professional and academic institutions - Member of HKU's Court; Audit Committee; Convocation Standing Committee; Business Council Member of the International Association of Chinese Management Research; Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Nanjing Business School; Adjunct Professor and Honorary Institute Fellow of the Asian Pacific Institute of Business, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Since 2011, he has been conducting seminars for the Chinese University of Hong Kong, mainly in their executive education programs, as well as HKU's MBA and IMBA programs. Kenneth also consults with senior executives on company strategy and leadership.
Dr. Kenneth Tse inducted into the Institute's 'Hall of Fame'
The ceremony took place at the Institute's 6th Annual China Chapter dinner in Hong Kong on Tuesday 13th of March 2012. This induction honoured Dr. Tse's contribution to the development of port logistics in China/Shenzhen and his role in the development of port-centric logistics and the customer facing model which the Institute believes is best international practice. The award is also to acknowledge his support for the development of CTQS and for his academic contributions.

Dr. Ken Tse
2012 Hall of Fame
Speaking at the event Mr Tse Said:
"I feel really honoured to be included in GIL's Hall of Fame. As a practitioner, I strived to survive the competitive business game first and foremost, little knowing that by treading uncharted paths did I embark upon innovative ways of marketing ports and managing them in a developing country environment. That GIL found my approach worthy of distillation and learning surprised me, but it has always been gratifying to share what one gained through many years of practice and exploration."
In 2009, Kenneth Tse took early retirement from 35 years of business life to pursue his portfolio of academic and consulting/research interests in management. In July of that year, he received his doctorate from the University of Birmingham, UK, for his thesis titled "The Co-evolution of Strategy and Environment: A Study of Yantian Port".For 16 years prior to the change, he was Managing Director of Yantian International Container Terminals Limited, a joint venture between the Hutchison Group and Yantian Port Group, one of China major state owned enterprises.
Starting from a green field in 1993, Kenneth led the joint venture to achieve preeminent status in the port industry, with throughput exceeding 10 million twenty foot equivalent units in 2007 (the largest single terminal in the world in 2007), and gaining worldwide recognition for its productivity improvements and service to customers.In 2005, the company was awarded the "Best Terminal of the Year" by the Global Institute of Logistics.

Dr Ken Tse Receives his Hall of Fame Award From European Chapter Chairman Joachim Coens
In the same year, it received the "Best Terminal Award" from China's National Port Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Communications. Such success also meant significant financial contributions of the business unit to Hutchison and Yantian Port Group.
ABOUT GIL HALL OF FAME
The Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame serves as a way to recognize distinguished members of the Global logistics community. Those elected to membership in to the Hall of Fame represent the highest achievement in their field, serving as models of what can be achieved and how. Induction as a Laureate into the Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award for individuals who have made a major, positive impact on the logistics profession as visionary business leaders with a strong commitment to the community. The Global Institute of Logistics Hall of Fame Laureates will serve as inspirations to current and future generations.
Each year the Institute invites the Executive Directors of its various councils and chapters globally to nominate individuals for induction into the Institutes Hall of Fame. These nominations feed discussions about what constitutes excellence and success in individual logisticians. The goal is to improve logistics practice by identifying the outstanding logistician in the field over the course of a lifetime. Nominations are acted on by a panel of expert judges, who decide which nominee will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.