Are the Americas ready for expanded Panama Canal? CSA looks at region's preparedness for opening

Participants at this year's Caribbean Shipping Association's (CSA) annual general meeting and conference will examine, among other things, the readiness of the Americas for the opening of the expanded Panama Canal. The conference, which will be held from October 7-9 at the Sheraton Panama Hotel, Panama, will bring a number of important topics to the fore for discussion and analysis.

Treatment will take the form of individual presentations as well as panel discussions involving experts in their field. With regard to the readiness of the Americas, there will be discussions about the impact on public- and private-sector businesses and the issues and opportunities to be addressed before the first Post-Panamax ships transit the expanded waterway.

The Caribbean region hosts four different language groups, representing four different European cultures. All four groups are represented in the CSA. This means that the association is able to identify and articulate disparities which can make shipping inefficient and obstruct development. At its October 2013 conference in Panama, the CSA will take a close look at the challenges of conducting international trade in the Caribbean.

FACILITATION BY CUSTOMS

In that context (and recognising and understanding the traditional role of the Customs), the CSA will hear ideas as to how Customs might adapt to become a facilitator of trade. This discussion will take place on the final day of the conference, Wednesday, October 9.

Also on the final day will be a cruise industry session. Participants will look at another side of the cruise business and specifically, how small cruise operators can enhance Caribbean cruise business. The point of departure for this session will be a presentation on how the Pullmantur brand positions its products to the non-traditional cruise market.

On opening day, CSA president, Grantley Stephenson, will call the proceedings to order at 8.30 a.m. Immediately following the opening ceremony, which will feature a keynote address and the involvement of Panamanian dignitaries, the CSA goes into the business of the 43rd Annual General Meeting. The highlight of the AGM will be the annual election of a CSA president and a vice-president and the installation of a new general council.

The CSA's general council, the managing body, comprises mainly the representatives of the four constituent groups of the association.

The second day of the Panama conference will, no doubt, become one of the more memorable highlights of the three-day event. The more than 300 maritime industry executives will be transported across the isthmus by train to Colón on a visit to the Panama Canal Expansion project.

The 43rd Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition will end with the CSA's annual gala banquet and awards. This stellar event will be highlighted by the announcement of the annual Caribbean Port Awards.

Time has been set aside throughout the three-day event for networking activities, thus allowing participants to meet and discuss business matters and to initiate contact with potential partners.

Participants - CSA members and observers - are expected from more than 20 countries in the Americas and Europe.