PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten has a representative at the 20th Annual General Meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) which is taking place in the Cayman Islands from June 21-23.
On Wednesday, the PMAC opened with an Executive Committee Meeting followed by a Strategic Session and Welcome Reception in the evening. On Thursday, opening remarks will be delivered by the chairman followed by internal organizational business matters. On Friday, there will be a number of technical sessions for the delegates attending the 20th Annual PMAC meeting.
Port Management Association of the Caribbean delegates will be reviewing the Strategic Plan 2013-2017 and creating an upcoming plan as it relates to 21st century continuous and sustainable growth for member ports in collaboration with cargo carriers with respect to better insight into growth perspectives. More emphasis will be placed on discussions related to ‘big data’ for better, decisive and efficient decision-making.
Presentations will be given on the following subjects: Yacht Market Outlook; Correct planning, equipment, and the practice of safety protocols for mitigating the risks to life in ports.
Oil spills in ports – How to plan, prepare, mitigate, and react; From Vessel Traffic Service to Ship Traffic Control. Natural evolution of modern solutions; Improving warehouse operations through automation; Discussion on current trends in ferry service and blue sky vision for Caribbean routes; Dredging and Towing Service at Degrad Des Cannes.
The three-day annual general meeting will conclude with an awards dinner on Friday evening.
Port St. Maarten is looking forward to meeting with port executives and managers across the Caribbean to engage in topics of mutual interests that range from challenges faced by small ports in the Caribbean to best practices that can enhance the Ports operational efficiency and in turn increase growth potential, Port Management said on Wednesday.
“Port St. Maarten is busy preparing to roll out the port community system interconnecting all stakeholders using the already in-house terminal operating system GLS which is provided by IT Partners BV.
“Port St. Maarten has implemented since 2010 the IT Partner GLS system for its Cruise and Cargo activities. The Port has an extensive real-time database which is nowadays referred to as ‘big data’. Utilization of the port community system will enhance business intelligence and strategic business decisions,” Port St. Maarten Management pointed out.
PMAC conducted its inaugural meeting in Antigua on 26 June 1998, having succeeded the Port Management Association of the Eastern Caribbean established on 16 May 1988.
The main objective of PMAC is to improve the proficiency of member ports and the quality of services offered to their users, specifically through the facilitation of relevant training designed to maximize human resources, and effectively meet the ever-increasing challenges of the global environment.
Moreover, amidst developments within the maritime industry, the Association strives to remain relevant by providing critical services to members, which entail the sharing of experience, information and ideas, as well as advocacy and representation at multilateral levels.
PMAC’s mission is to foster operational and financial efficiency, and to enhance the level of service to the mutual benefit of Caribbean Ports and their stakeholders, through the sharing of experience, training, information and ideas.
Current membership includes port organizations from the following islands, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, French Guyane, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, Cayman Islands, Sint Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Turks and Caicos Islands. There are also a number of associate members.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility.
