Baddaloo THE ANNUAL General Meeting and Conference of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), involving nearly 200 delegates got under way yesterday (October 21) in Fort-de-France, Martinique and is being dubbed one of the largest meetings ever of the regional body.
The three-day conference, which ends on October 23, is dealing with a number issues, including security, which affect regional shipping. There is also the accompanying exhibition - Shipping Insight 2003 - promoting a range of services and seaport equipment relevant to Caribbean shipping. About nine exhibitors are participating.
In his report to the conference, CSA's President Capt Rawle Baddaloo mentioned the new thrust to transform the Association into an organisation satisfying "the ever-evolving needs of its membership", citing the move as one of the most important initiatives the CSA has undertaken in its history. He said a consultant had been contracted to assess the Association and develop a business development plan.
"The goal of this entire exercise is to reform the CSA into a more relevant, service-oriented and financially independent Organisation. We are currently reviewing the recommendations of the plan and will be creating the proper forum for the membership to have a part in the transformation of the CSA," the President told the conference.
Reporting on other activities, the President spoke about efforts for training and to provide services to members. He also said the CSA would be participating in the development of an Internet based Port and Maritime Database for the Greater Caribbean.
This project will allow the provision of timely port and shipping information to key stakeholders, creating opportunities for trade through a better dissemination of information regarding ports in the region. He said there was also an increase in membership, with Jacksonville Port Authority, SEL Maduro & Sons (Curacao) Inc and the Port of Miami applying for membership.
The Caribbean Shipping Association represents shipping agents and sea port services providers, port operators, port authorities in all Caribbean countries, a number of United States ports and, the shipping lines which serve the Region.
The Martinique meeting has taken on additional importance since the announcement of United States government security regulations to bar all ships calling on uncertified ports from entering the U.S.A. Matters of port security and the requirements of regional ports for certification are being raised and discussed in Martinique under the topic "Port Security - New Implications for Port Certification", with inputs from Kurt Nagle, President of the American Association of Port Authorities and Ralph Sheridan, President of American Science and Engineering.
The Conference is also analysing the present status of regional shipping, with the topic "Development of Caribbean Shipping" looking at trade and port facilities and the specific needs of the shipping lines serving the Region. Cruise shipping, a major contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) of most Caribbean countries is also being addressed.
