CSA re-elects William Brown, Maria del Mar Rodriguez as president and vice-president

Paramaribo, Suriname:

WILLIAM BROWN and Maria del Mar Rodriguez were re-elected as president and vice- president, respectively, of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), at the body’s 55th Annual General Meeting, Conference & Exhibition, held in Paramaribo, Suriname from October 12-14.

Brown, chairman and CEO of Cascades Shipping Services, and Rodriguez, assistant vice-president for Hispaniola and the US Virgin Islands at Tropical Shipping, will continue their leadership of the association for the 2025–2026 term.

In his remarks following re-election, President Brown expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in the leadership team. “I am deeply honoured to continue serving the Caribbean Shipping Association at this pivotal time in our industry,” said Brown. “Our mission remains clear, to strengthen the connectivity, resilience, and competitiveness of Caribbean shipping through collaboration, innovation, and decisive action.”

Vice-president Rodriguez echoed this sentiment, noting that continuity in leadership is key to advancing the association’s strategic agenda. “The CSA is built on trust, cooperation, and shared purpose,” she said. “It is a privilege to continue serving our members and to build on the progress we have made together, particularly in advancing decarbonisation, digital transformation, and workforce development across our ports.”

The conference was officially declared open by Gregory Rusland, vice-president of the Republic of Suriname, who welcomed delegates on behalf of the government and people of Suriname.

In his address, the vice-president highlighted the country’s growing role as a regional logistics hub and reaffirmed Suriname’s readiness to collaborate with Caribbean partners in building a resilient, sustainable, and interconnected maritime future.

“Suriname is open for business but, more importantly, Suriname is ready for partnership. We see opportunity where others see constraint, and we are investing in the infrastructure, energy, and connectivity that will define the next generation of Caribbean trade.”

LIFEBLOOD OF PROGRESS

He underscored the alignment between Suriname’s development strategy and the CSA’s mission to promote regional cooperation and sustainable growth across the maritime sector. Noting that connectivity is the lifeblood of progress, he said that the CSA has long been a pillar of professionalism, innovation, and unity, the very fabric that keeps the Caribbean region connected, competitive, and forward-looking.

As he officially declared the conference open, the vice-president urged participants to view Suriname not merely as a host, but as a partner in progress and a bridge between the Caribbean and the wider world.

The Paramaribo conference drew more than 400 maritime and logistics executives from over 30 countries, uniting regional and global leaders around the theme of volatility, resilience, and transformation in shipping. Key topics included geopolitics, intra-Caribbean connectivity, customs modernisation, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation, and port digitalisation.

In his opening address, President Brown emphasised a results-driven approach, “the measure of this week will not be the quality of our speeches, but the specificity of our commitments. If we bring candour to the debates, data to the decisions, and discipline to the follow-through, we will leave Paramaribo not just with notes, but with a shared direction and the partnerships to deliver it.”

CSA General Manager Milaika Capella Ras added, “Our meeting remains the region’s workroom, where ideas become action. This week, we are moving from analysis to implementation, building the frameworks and partnerships that will define a more resilient, low-carbon Caribbean maritime sector.”

The CSA acknowledged the strong partnership of its sponsors, whose support makes the annual gathering possible. At the platinum level are Taylor International, Tote Maritime, Tropical Shipping, Haina International Terminal, King Ocean Services, Kingston Wharves Limited, Shipco Transport, Puerto Nuevo Terminal, and Svitzer, while NV Havenbeheer Suriname has joined as a main sponsor. Caribconex, Bromma, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Seaboard are supporting at the gold level. CFL Agencies is a bronze sponsor.

The host country’s maritime community has also embraced the event as VSH United and NUB are confirmed as main sponsors, with DP World Paramaribo, Total Energies EP Suriname B.V., NV Energie Bedrijven Suriname and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International as gold sponsors. CDWE is a silver sponsor, while the Maritime Authority of Suriname, Medserv and Baggerbedrijf have partnered at the bronze level. Traymore, H. Bromet, Integra Marine and Freight Services, Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname NV and the HJ Group of Companies have contributed as special sponsors. The Curaçao Ports Authority supports both the CSA and the host committee as a bronze sponsor.

Adding to the vibrancy of the gathering, more than a dozen exhibitors are showcasing innovations and solutions central to the future of shipping and logistics, including NV Havenbeheer Suriname, VSH United, Kalmar, Liebherr, Mantsinen, Boxloader, Dordt, the Maritime Authority of Suriname, Sennebogen, Scandia Gear, Rudisa Shipping, RORO Shipping, SHATA, and the Suriname Business Association.

Founded in 1971, the CSA is the leading voice of the region’s maritime industry. It promotes the development of shipping and logistics through advocacy, training, and regional cooperation. The CSA’s membership spans over 100 companies and 12 national associations across the Caribbean and the Americas.