More than 30 international speakers and moderators have confirmed to participate in the twelfth version of the biannual Panama Maritime 2015. At least 400 local and regional delegates are expected to attend the three days long conference and exhibition, including technical visits to the Canal expansion project and ports in the Pacific and in the Atlantic –just 45 minutes away across the Continental Divide.
Opening of the Panama Maritime Conference & Exhibition is set for the day after the 21 presidents Americas Summit ends on Sunday 12 April 2015. The Summit has raised high expectations for better relations in the Hemisphere, with the confirmed participation of American President Barack Obama, President Raul Castro of Cuba and President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, among Heads of State from all other American and Caribbean countries. Panama City, with a skyline rivaling any first world country and an almost complete new Canal, will definitely be on the front pages next weekend, although In the midst of increased security measures and exiled Cubans and Venezuelans preparing demonstrations.
The largest delegation is by far the one from The Netherlands, with at least 29 different Dutch companies exhibiting products and services in their exhibition pavilion. Damen Shipyards will also have a strong presence, participating in the Conference with three speakers, including a presentation on Ballast Water Management. The Prime Minister of Aruba will participate, as well as other high officials from Aruba and St Maarten.
Other high profile speakers include Alessandro Cassinelli, General Manager of PSA Panama International Terminal, who will provide details of the highly expected and largest on going port expansion in Panama. Other major ports will join the discussions on plans for regional port development, including the Port of Houston, with Roger Guenther, the Executive Director, who has been a promoter of the advantages of the Canal expansion since the project began. Aitor Ibarreche, General Manager of Panama Ports Company will also unveil strategic plans to stay ahead of the game in container movements in Panama. APM Terminals will also participate in the discussions, with a presentation by Klaus Holm Laursen, CEO of the Suez Canal Container Terminal –who will also give the audience the opportunity to ask for comparisons of the two waterways. And of course, particularly in view of the Cuba-USA new relationship, the Mariel Container Terminal –a billion dollar zone built just next to the also multi-million dollar Port of Mariel –will have a representative, Marcelo Lluveras, speaking about growth expectations post Canal expansion.
Peter Hinchcliffe, Secretary General of ICS will highlight the impact of New Energy Efficiency Measures on Shipping, whilst Poul Hestbaek from Hamburg Sud, Efrain Osorio from APL and Francisco Orozco from the Interamerican Chamber of Shipping Agents National Associations, CIANAM, will speak about how shipping lines are planning on adding value to the Canal route, post expansion.
Participants will also have the opportunity of enjoying Panamanian cuisine and Carnival atmosphere during the receptions offered by the Maritime Authority and the Canal Authority, the two co-organisers of the Conference and Exhibition.
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