On 23 February at the Lloyd's List London Awards Dinner, Dr Y F Chang, Group Chairman of the Evergreen Group, was presented with the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award by Lloyd's List's Editor, Julian Bray. Dr Chang had flown from Taipei specifically to attend this event, which was staged in the opulent 17th century Banqueting House in Whitehall, close to London landmarks such as 10 Downing Street, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Dr Chang was chosen to receive this year's award in recognition of his many achievements, especially his rise from Third Officer on a small cargo vessel to become head of one of the world's leading container shipping lines. In particular, Mr Bray noted that Dr Chang followed in a long tradition of seafarers who have created their own shipping companies and that he had created a huge fleet that is characterised by high standards of maintenance and excellent crew facilities. |
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After receiving the award, Dr Chang stated:
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"For me, this award has one strong message, that is, dream and dare, coupled with a set of ethos that I term the three Cs: challenge, creativity and cohesion." |
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"In the course of my professional life, failure has never been an option. For all of those now starting on their own careers, especially those who are choosing a life at sea as a starting point, I wish you a full and successful life." |
Evergreen started with just one secondhand tweendecker in 1968 and only took delivery of its first newbuilding tweendecker in 1972. Its first containership entered service in 1975 and in 1984, Dr Chang launched his radical Round-the World service: 24 brand-new ships sailing eastbound and westbound around the world linking Asia, North America and Europe. The Evergreen Group currently operates a fleet of over 150 vessels.
Dr Chang added:
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"More than I would like to admit, putting myself on the shipping map has been no simple task. As I reflect on the thrills and spills of my life's odyssey, weathering countless storms, going against all odds, I take heart that I have emerged battered but unbowed." |
Under Dr Chang's leadership, the company has remained fiercely independent and has, by and large, shunned conferences and alliances. It has also diversified into non-maritime sectors, most notably establishing a major airline that places equal emphasis on passengers and cargo, so much so that it is now ranked amongst the top ten air cargo carriers, ahead of both British Airways and Air France.
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