Danish Manager of Seamen’s Centre in Malaysia

Mr. Karsten Holst Thomsen has since July 1, 2003 assumed the responsibilities as manager of the International Seamen’s Centre, Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia. A reception was held by the Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore at the centre on July 4 to mark his appointment.
     In ‘Kirke-hilsen’ – the newsletter of the Danish Seamen’s Church – priest Hans Vestergaard explains that finding a permanent manager was crucial for the centre to be fully functional. Therefore, the Church has also found a residence for KHT near the centre.
     “We are sure Mr. Karsten Holst Thomsen is the right man for this assignment,” Hans Vestergaard states.
     Karsten Holst Thomsen is an old hand in Singapore as well as at the Danish Seamen’s Church, where he is currently the organ player during sermons – a position he will retain also in the future.
     “I came to Singapore in 1994 as the first ever junior assistant at the Church,” Mr. Thomsen explains about his background.
     “I remained in this position until 1995 when I moved to a similar position at the Danish church in London.”
     Only 10 month later, Thomsen was, however, recalled to Singapore where he worked for another 16 months at the Church. Then he took up a position with KC Data back in Denmark to work within Sales and Marketing.
     But he missed Singapore, and in November 2000 he moved back to work for Santafe – a job he kept until his new assignment as manager of the International Seamen’s Centre in Tanjung Pelepas.
     Explaining his return to the Church, Mr. Thomsen says it occurred to him while attending the opening of the centre in February, how much he actually missed this kind of work.
     The International Seamen’s Centre in Tanjung Pelepas was officially opened on February 9, 2003 by Mr. Ove Hornby of the A.P. Moller Fonden, which has supported establishing the centre financially, and Datuk Taufik, Chairman of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas. Some 120 guests participated in the opening, which started with a sermon in the Danish Seamen’s Church in Singapore by Mr. Claus Harms, Chairman of the Danish Seamen’s Church.
     “Now I look forward to meet all the seamen in Tanjung Pelepas and try to make the beautiful house into what it is meant to be: A home away from home,” Thomsen adds.
     To visit the centre, coming from Singapore on the 2nd Link, follow the exit with a sign to PTP. Cars must be parked next to the pedestrians’ entrance by the “Terminal Complex”. The International Seamen’s Centre is located just inside the fence.

About Gregers Møller

Editor-in-Chief • ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd. • Bangkok, Thailand

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