Ocean carriers convene in Colombia to assess the regional maritime trade outlook
IMO2020 is just one of the hot topics on the shipping line agenda for discussion at this year’s TOC Americas conference, taking place in Cartagena, Colombia on 29-31 October
London, 11 October 2019 – With less than 3 weeks to go until the 19th edition of the TOC Americas conference, ocean carriers are preparing their agendas to discuss what’s what with the regional maritime supply chain and ports community. Hot topics such as IMO2020, digitalization, the trade outlook, supply chain integration and regional infrastructure will be discussed by executives from Maersk, MSC, Hamburg Süd, G2Ocean, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Seaboard Marine, X-Press Feeders and more.
MundoMaritimo, TOC Events’ partner for the Americas since 2003, talked to some of the senior shipping line executives attending the conference about their priority issues.
IMO2020
The International Maritime Organization’s imminent regulation to limit the sulphur content of ship fuel is very much top of mind. Lars Oestergaard Nielsen, President, Latin America & The Caribbean for Maersk Line, is “looking forward to some interesting conversations with our colleagues and peers on the IMO2020 regulation during this year’s TOC Americas in Cartagena. This is probably one of the biggest transformations our industry will see in the coming years and we all need to be aware of the impact it represents and continue to support our efforts towards sustainable solutions for our environment.”
“How can we face the challenges of the new IMO2020 norm, considering the environment and the business? For that we will need to share our visions as an industry. The ‘Ocean Shipping Outlook’ debate at TOC Americas will be the perfect opportunity to think about and discuss the new regulation in a sustainable way,” says Hernan Salazar, WCSA Regional Planning Manager at MSC.
César Contreras, Port Captain Operations for G2Ocean, is “happy and excited to take part in this event as a break bulk carrier, as a perfect place and time to share so many different experiences with the best people from the maritime and port industry. Economic challenges and globalization apply to all of us and we need to be aware of all the details if we want to succeed in this business. With TOC’s help and network, I’m sure we’ll find good solutions to those daily struggles we all have with one common objective: high efficiency.”
Dealing with disruption
María José Jara, Quality Control Manager at MSC says: “I’m very excited about sharing industry experiences regarding digitalization. The changes ahead are so big that they only compare to the change of before and after the birth of containerization.”
Maximiliano Alcorta, Regional Operations Manager at MSC, says: “We have seen a lot of movement in the maritime and port industry in the past five years, however, the years to come will be even more disruptive and challenging for the industry. From blockchain, automation and unmanned ships to new trade routes resulting from the current trade wars, resource optimization and sustainability, all these are crucial topics and I hope they will all be addressed at the event in Cartagena. How are we preparing for all this? Each one of us cannot do it alone. TOC events help us discuss how to navigate these tricky waters, as well as being an excellent opportunity for doing business, networking and reuniting with dear friends.”
The 19th version of TOC Americas will take place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, October 29-31. For more information, please visit: https://www.tocevents-
